Programme Management Specialist (Legal)

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS signed an agreement with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism to implement the activities for the Victims of Terrorism Programme.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017 (A/RES/71/291). The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

The UNCCT launched its Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme in June 2018. The Programme seeks to stand in solidarity with victims and to provide outreach, awareness raising and capacity building activities to both Member States and other partners and to provide guidance to policy makers and practitioners on support and assistance to victims of terrorist attacks.  Promoting and protecting the rights of victims of terrorism and addressing their needs is one of the key priorities for UNOCT/UNCCT. 

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out in Victims of Terrorism Unit of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.  The Consultant will be located in the Victims of Terrorism Unit of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. 

The overall objective of the assignment is to implement the model legislative provisions (MLP), which have been developed under the tripartite UN-IPU Initiative and to work closely with UNOCT, and UNODC to ensure the implementation at country level. The consultant will initiate the desk research and legal analysis beginning the implementation phase of the model legislative provisions, and will lead with the organization of and delivery of the workshops at country level.

The overall objective of the assignment is to implement the model legislative provisions (MLP), which have been developed under the tripartite UN-IPU Initiative and to work closely with UNOCT, and UNODC to ensure the implementation at country level. The Programme Management Specialist (Legal) will initiate the desk research and legal analysis beginning the implementation phase of the model legislative provisions, and will lead with the organization of and delivery of the workshops at country level. 

• Investigate and perform a desk review of existing legislative measures and national action plans in the selected pilot countries in order to begin the implementation phase of the model legislative provisions to support victims of terrorism and to address victims’ rights and needs;

• Provide legal opinion based on the desk review on how to strengthen national laws and build comprehensive national action plans for victims of terrorism in the selected pilot countries; 

• Organize and prepare the training workshops in collaboration with UNODC and UNOCT; the incumbent will be expected to travel to the two selected pilot countries to organize and implement three training workshops per each country.

• Develop technical briefing papers, which will be part of the material used during the workshops

• Ensure that a gender perspective is included in all workshops.

• Deliver each workshop, including oral and written presentations on all legislative provisions needed in close collaboration with UNOCT and UNODC staff.

• Liaise with key stakeholders at national level to ensure participation of all relevant government officials, civil society organisations and victims to the workshops.

• Draft and produce regular progress reports and a final report including outcomes of all workshops and way forward for the pilot countries 

• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Monitoring and Progress Controls 

• Regular briefings on the projects’ activities

• Accurate and timely reporting of the project progress and highlights

• Submission of final report

• Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in law with an emphasis on human rights and/or victims of terrorism, is required.

• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University degree;

Work Experience 
Required:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in legal affairs with a focus on human rights and/or victims of terrorism is required.

• Experience in drafting legal documents is required.

• Work experience at both national and international levels will be an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English (write, read, speak) is required.

• Knowledge of other UN working languages is desirable.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)  Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2)
Contract duration: Open-ended (renewable subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance)

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.