Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Specialist

The Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Specialist is one of the lead experts in the Rule of Law and Human Rights knowledge domain. S/he is based in the Crisis Bureau in UNDP NY Headquarters and reports to the Head of the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights team while also being part of the GPN.

S/he will provide intellectual and strategic engagement as well as technical guidance on Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights issues for UNDP, and represent UNDP in the wider Rule of Law and Human Rights community of practice, in particular within the UNDP-DPO Global Focal Point for Rule of Law arrangement, with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, inter-agency platforms on transitional justice and engage with a wide range of partners on promoting human rights, gender justice and  justice as part of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Particular focus will be paid to the development of a horizontal network of practitioners across UNDP and the broader development community and working closely with UNDP Regional Hubs.

Working to ensure quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services on ROLSHR issues especially human rights; transitional justice; gender justice and support to implementation of Goal16+ as part of achieving Agenda 2030 and in alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan, the ROLSHR Specialist advances the credibility and recognition of UNDP’s capabilities in this knowledge domain and associated community of practice. The Specialist will work closely with the Rule of Law and Human Rights, governance and resilience communities of practice across UNDP to support corporate learning, the development of innovative approaches and, in particular, the implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace & Fostering Development in these areas.

Working under the management of the Crisis Bureau ROLSHR leadership team (Head, Team Leader ROLSHR) and, in collaboration with other Advisors and Specialists in the Crisis Bureau and Global Policy Network, s/he is responsible for providing of technical expertise and policy and programme advisory services to Country Offices and, where appropriate, with key UN and external partners. S/he responds to requests from Country Offices and under the guidance of the Head, and in collaboration with corporate support providers, such as the Regional Hubs, Country Support Management Team, the Crisis and Fragility Engagement and Policy Team, Governance and CPPRI teams, Oslo Governance Centre and the SDG integrator Team.

S/he is responsible for performing and contributing to the following:

• Policy Research and Development
• Policy Advice/Programme and Project Delivery Support
• Policy Positioning, Coordination and Representation
• Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
• Knowledge Management and Sharing

• Support the development and implementation of a UNDP strategy for human rights, transitional justice, gender justice and access to justice.
• Develop guidance in the specific thematic area of human rights, gender justice, transitional justice and justice and related tools for the implementation of global policy standards, including testing and roll out of tools and methodologies;
• Develop policy initiatives for different contexts on key emerging policy agendas, in collaboration with other thematic teams in headquarters and the Regional Hubs bringing in perspectives and knowledge from Country Offices and the regions.
• Coordinate and conduct analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distill relevant lessons from projects and programmes to inform policy formulation and guidance;
• Develop relevant analysis and guidance, in close collaboration with other teams, on emerging issues of global significance and contribute to new research, including through working with the Global Policy Network;
• Guide the policy teams in the Regional Hubs in applying policy and tools to crisis context to make them relevant for specific situations; and
• Support the quality assurance of policy services and foster policy innovation in the specific thematic area by reviewing lessons learned and evaluations to enhance programme delivery.

Policy, Programme and Project Delivery Support

• Provide programme support to UNDP COs and to UN entities on Rule of Law, Security & Human Rights with the support of GPN teams and in close coordination with other UN entities under the Global Focal Point arrangement, particularly UN Women and UNODC, and other UN coordination arrangements.
• In collaboration with the policy and programme teams in the Regional Hubs, support the integration of technical advice into programmes and projects that responds to country office needs, including through the provision of capacity building and backstopping;
• Represents UNDP in one or more coordination bodies for justice, human rights and transitional justice.
• Applies integrated multi-disciplinary approaches in line with corporate guidance and standards;
• Provide support to Regional Hub and Country Office teams in their application of risk management tools such as the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy; and
• Support the Head in liaising and representing the team and to ensure a rapid and well-coordinated response and provide related contributions to UNDP SURGE for country offices.

Policy Positioning and Representation

• Provide substantive and content input to contribute to mobilizing, fostering and strengthening strategic partnerships with UN entities, in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women, Human Rights Council and other mechanisms and other relevant bodies and provide inputs to those partnerships in support of UNDP initiatives as well as system-wide initiatives;
• Prepare briefing notes and speeches to inform UN/UNDP/Global Policy Network/Crisis Bureau representation at inter-agency meetings, academic conferences, donor consultations and other relevant policy arenas on ROLSHR issues;
• Provide substantive input in the process of advocating the importance of the thematic areas in various fora, including academia and civil society, with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms; and
• Support Head in engagement in UN interagency coordination in relevant policy areas by drafting briefing, preparing for and participating in meetings.

Knowledge Management

• Coordinate team contributions and support to corporate knowledge management activities, whether at the global, cross-regional or region-specific level to help influence/advance policy dialogue in the thematic area in collaboration with the Global Policy Network; and
• Coordinate and perform knowledge extraction, analysis, documentation, codification of results/lessons learned in the specific thematic area and verify that knowledge sharing, and content management is in line with guidelines and performed using corporate tools.
• Support the capacity development of UNDP staff in application of tools and practices;
• Development and strengthening of linkages with peacebuilding and governance community of practice, both inside and outside of the UN system.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional

Rule of Law, Human Rights and Justice

• Knowledge of Rule of law, Human Rights and Justice, including transitional justice, concepts and principles and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Human Rights and HR Mainstreaming

• Knowledge of international Human Rights standards and principles, human rights systems at national level, and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Sustainable Development Goals

• Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Substantive Networking

• Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks.

Knowledge Management

• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.  Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP

Management & Coordination

• Ability to manage and coordinate campaigns and people with inspiration. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.

Trends and emerging areas analytics

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations other social sciences or related disciplines.

• 7 years of professional international work experience in multilateral or non-governmental environments with increasing level of responsibility
• Three years experience working in developing country settings is required and experience in crisis/politically complex contexts is an asset.
• Significant experience in developing and supervising development projects aimed at developing national capacities on human rights, justice sector reform, access to justice, transitional justice, gender justice.
• Proven track record in representation is an asset.
• Proven track record of communication skills.
• Proven track record in networking and partnership skill (ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners - public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders).

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English both written and oral.
• French and/or Spanish is desirable.
• (Other UN languages an asset)