Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Through an Act of the National Assembly, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) was established in December 2017 with the mandate to investigate the human rights violations that occurred from July 1994 to January 2017. The objectives of the TRRC were to create an impartial historical record of the violations and abuses of human rights, establish and make known the fate or whereabouts of disappeared victims, provide victims an opportunity to relate their own accounts of the violations and abuses suffered, and grant reparations to victims in appropriate cases. On 25 November 2021 the TRRC submitted its final report comprising seventeen volumes to the President. The Government through the Ministry of Justice made a call for position papers from the general public on the report of the TRRC. Following the submission of the TRRC recommendations in November 2021, the Government of The Gambia came out with the government white paper on the report of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission. The whitepaper serves as a proposed plan for the implementation of the TRRC Recommendations.

It is against this backdrop The Gambia in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice is recruiting a justice and accountability Advisor whose work is centered on Justice and Accountability in the implementation of the Post-TRRC Recommendations. In addition, the Advisor will lead the design and facilitate the implementation of an international and domestic/hybrid mechanism integrated within The Gambia’s domestic criminal justice system  that will be mandated to carry out investigations and prosecutions as laid out in the White Paper. This Unit will consist of local and international experts mandated to carry out criminal investigations geared towards the prosecution of those who bear the greatest responsibility for the human rights abuses and violations as laid out in the White Paper.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Justice and Accountability Advisor will provide quality technical and advisory support to the Ministry of Justice in enhancing access to justice and accountability as part of the implementation of the post TRRC recommendations.

The Advisor’s day-to-day work will be guided by the need for efficient implementation of the post TRRC recommendations. In this regard, the Justice and Accountability Advisor will be based at the Ministry of Justice and will work in close collaboration with the post-TRRC team at the Ministry of Justice. The Advisor will be having regular meetings with UNDP to track progress in delivering on key tasks.

A) Provide advisory and policy support for the design and implementation of an international and domestic/hybrid mechanism integrated within The Gambia’s domestic criminal justice system:

  • Quick assessment of the judiciary and prosecution framework;
  • Design of an international and domestic/hybrid mechanism integrated within The Gambia’s domestic criminal justice system;
  • Support the identification and prioritization of key legislative objectives to realize the mechanism guided by the need to ensure that accountability processes are legally and substantively fair, safe, and timely;
  • Draft enabling legislation, rules of procedure and evidence and internal protocols for a post-TRRC accountability mechanism from models used by similar, hybrid tribunals, in collaboration with both the executive and legislative branches of The Gambia, and national experts, taking into account lessons learnt to ensure survivor-centered approach to the prosecution of SGBV crimes.

B) Support technically in enhancing prosecution and investigation crimes identified by the TRRC;

  • Develop a policy note on efficient prosecution and investigation in the framework of the implementation of the post TRRC recommendations;
  • Support the implementation of a Prosecution Strategy on Atrocity Crimes for the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice, including on the prosecution of sexual and gender-based crime;
  • Provide technical assistance towards effective investigation and prosecution of crimes identified by the TRRC;
  • Capacity building support through tailored trainings and on job trainings of Gambian stakeholders such as prosecutors, judges and police investigators.

C) Support national capacities for victim and witness protection

  • Design a Victim and Witness Support and Protection Mechanism;
  • Draft a regulatory framework for the victim and witness support and protection unit;
  • Build capacities of relevant stakeholders in victims and witness protection.

D) Enhance partnership and resource mobilization capacities of the Ministry of Justice

  • Conduct a partner mapping for both technical and financial partners;
  • Support in the implementation of a resource mobilization action plan;
  • Facilitate partners engagement and partnership sessions;
  • Develop funding proposals to meaningful engagement with partners;
  • Facilitate accountability towards donors and partners.            
Institutional Arrangements

The Justice and Accountability Advisor will report the Attorney General. S/he will be based in The Gambia particularly at the Ministry of Justice. S/he will also be expected to frequently interact with the Governance Unit, housed at UN House.

Competencies:

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter agency collaboration;
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross functional & technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

  • Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
  • Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy: Business Acumen

  • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such framework.

Business Direction & Strategy

  • Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with ones authority, area of expertise and resources.

Business Management

  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Partnership management

  • Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Business Management: Communication

  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

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

  • Development of Institutions in Justice Sector.
  • Justice Sector Development.
  • Human Rights Institutions/compliance Sector Wide Planning and Reform (justice and security sectors).
Required Skills and Experience
Education:

  • Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in Law, criminal justice, human rights, humanitarian law or other related fields.

  • A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field with additional two (2) years of relevant work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience:
  • Minimum 7 years (Master's degree) or 9 years  (Bachelor's degree)  of substantive experience in developing, managing, advising and implementing programmes related to rule of law, transitional justice and reconciliation processes;
  • At least 7  years of professional experience in policy development, design and implementation;
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience engaging with civil society organizations and human rights stakeholders;
  • Experience on gender and supporting SGBV prosecutions would be a plus;
  • Good experience in designing systems or providing advice in the area of justice and accountability with a strong background in regulatory and procedural development;
  • Strong evidence of networking, partnership development and resource mobilization capabilities;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems;
  • Knowledge of the Gambian context and the current transitional justice processes as well as criminal justice would be an advantage;
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to build trust;
  • Excellent organizational, team building and planning skills;
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in the team, delivering through and with others.

Language

  • Proficiency in English is required. 
Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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