Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Specialist

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery.

Working to ensure quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services on ROLSHR issues especially human rights; transitional 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 ROLSHR leadership team (Head, Senior Justice and Security Advisor, Senior Human Rights Advisor & Senior Business & Human Rights Advisor) and, in collaboration with other Advisors and Specialists in the Geneva Office, Regional Bureaux 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 UNDP Geneva Office, 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.

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 Geneva and reports to the Head of the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights and working closely with the Senior Advisors and the Head of Geneva Office while also being part of the GPN. Particular focus will be paid to the development and scaling of UNDP’s rights-based work and how these relate to the right to a healthy environment and rights related to digitalization. This will be done by engaging closely with a horizontal network of practitioners across UNDP and the broader development community and working closely with UNDP Regional Hubs.

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 with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and engage with a wide range of partners on promoting human rights 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.

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

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

• Support the development and implementation of UNDP’s strategy for Human Rights and Development in particular through any relevant frameworks of cooperation and partnerships with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and Geneva based Human Rights mechanisms;
• Develop guidance in the specific thematic area of human rights and justice e.g.on the right to healthy environment/environment justice and digital rights/e-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 country 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.

• 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 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 and human rights;
• 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;
• Support implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development; 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.

3. 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, 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.

4. Knowledge Management

• Coordinate team contributions and support to corporate KM 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.

Achieve Results:

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact. 

Think Innovatively:

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems. 

Learn Continuously:

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: 

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. 

Act with Determination:     

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner:

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

Business Management - Portfolio Management:    

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.

Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation:    

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Development - Collective Intelligence Design:

• Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions.

2030 Agenda: Peace - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights:

• Rule of Law, Justice and Security; 
• Transitional Justice.

2030 Agenda: Peace - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights:

• Access to Justice;
• Impact assessment services to countries on stigma, discrimination, gender and human rights concerns / inclusive and rights-based approach to basic services and livelihoods. 

Business Direction and Strategy - System Thinking:

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Direction and Strategy - Effective Decision Making:

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.

• A minimum of seven years of professional international work experience in multilateral or non-governmental environments with increasing level of responsibility.
• At least three year’s 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 and rule of law.
• Experience of working with OHCHR and/or the UN human rights system is highly desirable. 
• Proven track record in representation and coordination.
• Proven track record of line management within the rule of law and human rights sphere is an asset.
• Proven track record of communication skills.
• Proven track record in networking and partnership skills (ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners - public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders).

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English both written and spoken;
• Knowledge of another UN language, especially French, is desirable.