Gender and Civil Society Promotion Associate

The underlying idea of the Project is strengthening the rule of law and access to justice for vulnerable groups of the population, especially in rural and remote areas, by enhancing capacities of free legal aid providers, the Ombudsperson office, and justice sector actors as well as by improving their cooperation with civil society and non-governmental organizations to protect and promote human rights effectively. Project activities will focus on promoting human rights among vulnerable groups of population by strengthening capacities of Ombudsperson office in Uzbekistan as well as CSO focused on provision of free legal aid. Provision of free legal aid by CSOs (as well as other free legal aid providers) aims to ensure accessibility of justice. When working with free legal aid providers, emphasis will be given to promoting human rights, youth, gender equality and women empowerment especially in rural areas. Project also aims to digitalize the provision of free legal aid by supporting development of free legal aid system that will increase transparency and accountability of involved players. This system (after its introduction and wide usage) will be used for conducting regular legal needs analyses of vulnerable groups of population. Results of the legal needs analyses will be used to develop proposals and suggestions to government on improving human rights protection in Uzbekistan. The developed proposals and suggestions will be conveyed to government via national partners of the project: a) Ministry of justice and b) Ombudsperson office in Uzbekistan. 

Therefore, Project takes a cross-sectoral approach among various human rights institutions and justice actors to strengthen the rule of law and human rights, building on current national priorities in the rule of law. 

The Project Key Outcome is (UNDP Output): “Access to justice in Uzbekistan is adequately observed and promoted, leading to an enhanced trust in the rule of law with a positive impact on poverty reduction and addressing inequalities”. It will be achieved through the following three outcomes and indicative activities:

• Outcome 1. (UNDP Key Results Activity) Legal and institutional foundations for the provision of primary and secondary free legal aid are set/established in line with human rights standards.
• Outcome 2. (UNDP Key Results Activity) Capacities of Ombudsperson's office in Uzbekistan strengthened to promote and protect human rights of vulnerable groups.
• Outcome 3. (UNDP Key Results Activity) Capacities of the civil society enhanced to promote inclusive access to justice and human rights for all (esp. women, youth and people with disabilities).

The Project's Strategy is also aligned with the Strategic Priority A ('Effective governance and justice for all') of the Outcome 1 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2021-2025 that aims 'By 2025, all people and groups in Uzbekistan, especially the most vulnerable, demand and benefit from enhanced accountable, transparent, inclusive and gender-responsive governance systems and the rule of law institutions for a life free from discrimination and violence. 

Project activities also correspond to Output 1.1 of the UNDP Country program document for Uzbekistan (CPD 2021–2025) 'Institutions equipped with effective anti-corruption tools, enabled to expand access to justice and enhance social cohesion.

The proposed Project will leverage UNDP's mandate and current engagement in the rule of law, governance and justice sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan and capitalize on progress, best practices and lessons learned generated under the 'Accelerate structural transformations for sustainable development' outcome of the UNDP Strategic Plan for Uzbekistan for 2018-2021.

UNDP is a gender-responsive organization and gender equality is prioritized within all its implementations.

• Provide support to project in implementing the annual work plans and ensure compliance with the milestones and delivery targets of the project.
• Support PM in project activities related to gender and civil Society promotion to fulfill the outcomes and objectives as set out in the Project document and undertakes day-to-day responsibility for the satisfactory achievement and implementation of the related project outputs.
• Engage in conducting research of existing CSOs to identify their needs, capacities, coverage, specialization, educational needs, etc. Based on the results of the research as well as tools and methodologies on organizing monitoring visits (developed within project) contribute to development and organization of trainings for identified CSOs including public activists on women and people with disabilities rights’ protection and staff of Ombudsperson's Office in Uzbekistan.
• Provide technical support in development and deployment of legal framework for cooperation between Ombudsperson's Office and civil society, women's movements and activists, and non-profit organizations.
• Support Ombudsperson's Office in Uzbekistan in organizing monitoring visits in accordance with developed methodologies and with participation of CSO as well as in facilitating twinning and peer-to-peer learning programme of Ombudsperson's office in Uzbekistan with Parliamentary Ombudsperson of Finland and/or European Union and/or Central Asian countries by organization of events on exchanges of experience.
• Coordinate activities related to assisting Ombudsperson's Office in Uzbekistan in effective dissemination of information on activities of Ombudsperson's Office in Uzbekistan and NHRI's reports including development of comprehensive communication plan with clear indications of CSO participation, gender equality and PwD related interventions.
• Provide technical support in developing and promoting adoption of legislative framework of dialogue between CSO's and justice sector actors as well as in organizing annual dialogues/meetings between CSO's and justice sector actors to discuss the identified legal needs of population and access to justice gaps to promote legislative amendments in the area of access to justice.
• Be responsible for increasing skills and knowledge of the selected CSO’s in preparing the package of policy and regulatory laws and strategy plans, focusing on the implementation of ratified UN CRPD, OPCAT and other UN HR treaties by: a) developing methodologies for CSO’s on effective analyses of judicial, on analyses judicial and law enforcement practice as well as on preparation of policy and regulatory laws (amendments in legislation); and b) organizing trainings for CSO’s based on developed methodologies; 
• Provide support to national partners in conducting legal awareness campaigns (upon request from project partners) for vulnerable groups (in cooperation with Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Social Development, Youth Agency and the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family youth, women, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities) and population in rural areas to raise their awareness and understanding of rights to justice and on available legal aid providers and remedies in their closest location;
• Ensure constant and systematic liaison with experts of Rule of Law Center (Finland) on the project activities related to women rights, rights of people with disabilities and CSO participation to obtain support and guidance needed for effective implementation of the related project activities, including but not limited to organization of events with participation of experts from Rule of Law Center (Finland).
• Establish effective interaction/exchange of information with the CSOs on regular basis ensure proper dissemination of information on activities of CSO as well as to identify challenges and bottlenecks in their activities and to develop proposals for further improvement of related legislation of Uzbekistan.
• Provide support to project analyst in designing and implementation of the small grants programme for free legal aid providers.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to obtain any support and guidance required for management and implementation of related project activities.
• Support Project Manager in drafting, updating and regularly reviewing project work plans. Assist in monitoring and ensuring efficient implementation of activities in accordance with the approved work plan, ensure best use of personnel and financial resources, and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria.
• Provide inputs for annual reports, work plans and any other planning, monitoring documents required by the UNDP.
• Participate in dissemination of information on project activities by supporting project staff in preparing briefs, memos, etc.
• Under the guidance of the Project Manager work in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, UNDP to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.
• Support Project Manager in monitoring implementation of project outputs for adopting corrective measures in project implementation, when necessary, to ensure timely delivery of required inputs and achievement of results.
• Support the project team in conducting advocacy and outreach activities, writing of success stories, press- releases, newspapers coverage, and other relevant PR campaigns.
• Support Project Manager in monitoring financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports, including proper utilization of funds and delivery, budget revisions, availability of funds, reconciliation of accounts, establishment of internal control mechanisms.
• Support Project Manager in maintaining project related information in corporate programmatic and financial management frameworks, up to date as well as in preparing and submitting in a timely manner, other programmatic, and ensure that the reports meet corporate quality standards.
• Be proactive in advising response to opportunities for resource mobilization and fundraising.
• Liaise with other UNDP projects to implement possible synergies.
• Undertake other tasks, necessary for successful management of the project, as required by the supervisor.
• Plan and implement the work in accordance with the overall work plan using both human and financial resources available in the most effective and efficient way, elaborate and propose new schemes and effective ways to achieve target indicators.
• Participate in elaboration and execution of the project's work plans, analyze emerging problems, and propose adequate measures to ensure timely fulfilment of envisioned tasks.
• Provide inputs for annual reports, work plans and any other planning, monitoring documents required by the UNDP.
• Support Project specialist in monitoring implementation of the project outputs for adopting corrective measures in project implementation, when necessary, to ensure timely delivery of required inputs and achievement of results.
• Ensure that all procurement, and tendering processes are organized and implemented in the most transparent way and in line with corporate and national regulations.
• Undertake other tasks, necessary for successful management of the project, as required by the supervisor.
• Document lessons learned and best practices.
• Access global best practices, share them with relevant local and international stakeholders and ensure their incorporation into the project implementation and design process.
• Provide any other necessary support in coaching, guidance for the project staff that will boost their capacity to deliver results.

Institutional Arrangement

The Gender and Civil Society Promotion Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Specialist. The Project Associate will ensure delivery of outputs of the project related to women rights, gender, civil society organizations, etc., in accordance with annual work plan and annual plan of activities of the Project through performing the required duties and responsibilities. 
 

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

• 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 frameworks.
• Business Development-Knowledge Generation 
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business Management- Monitoring        
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
• Business Management- Evaluation         
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• 2030 Agenda: People- Gender   
  • Gender Issues & Analysis
• 2030 Agenda: People- Gender   
  • Gender Mainstreaming 
• Partnership management-CSO engagement       
  • Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage.