UNDP Jobs - 48347- Project Officer vacancy

Project Officer vacancy - Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit

Location :

Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

18-Aug-2014

Application Deadline :

03-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

5 months, with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 years and 5 months

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.

Background

The Republic of Moldova is facing a number of problems which are negatively impacting the democratic governance, including corruption in the judiciary, insufficient respect of the rule of law, gaps in the human rights protection, as well as questionable performance of police and low trust in law enforcement agencies. These problems are officially recognised and specific national strategies and plans were elaborated in order to address them comprehensively.
Thus, the Government Programme “European Integration: Liberty, Democracy, Welfare” 2011-2014 and its Action Plan 2011-2014 are providing that the Moldovan government shall ensure the observance of the principle of separation and independence of the legislative, executive and judicial powers, as well as efficient fight against corruption and even and correct enforcement of laws.
Justice sector reform is one the most complicated and strategic reform for the Republic of Moldova which will heavily influence the respect of the rule of law in the country. The Justice Sector Reform Strategy 2011-2016 and its Action Plan foresees large-scale reforms to address many legal, economic and social bottlenecks to the development of Moldova in order to ensure that the justice system is independent, efficient, incorrupt and accessible to all. Critical to Strategy’s successful adoption were efforts supported by UNDP to promote a transparent framework for public debates in the process of elaborating the Strategy, as well as technical guidance on the policy options.
The National Human Rights Action Plan 2011-2014, revised in December 2012, was elaborated and adopted by the Parliament to ensure strengthening human rights promotion and protection in the country, including the gradual progress in joining international human rights protection treaties and mechanisms, strengthening national legal framework and mechanisms and implementation of UPR recommendations for Moldova. The ongoing implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) is a complex process involving most of the State bodies and comprehensively addressing a wide range of human rights issues.
The Concept Paper on the Reform of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its Subordinated and Decentralized units, in particular, states the need to reform the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its units in a comprehensive manner to bring them closer to the community they serve. While the demands of the population for public services are constantly increasing, the Ministry of Internal Affairs` units are not always meeting these expectations.
The United Nations – Republic of Moldova Partnership Framework 2013-2017 (UNPF) highlights the need for continuous support in promoting democratic governance, justice, equality and human rights, with a particular focus on justice, human rights, empowerment of women and anti-discrimination in the Outcome 1.2: Justice sector actors are better able to promote access to justice and uphold rule of law in compliance with international commitments and Outcome 1.3: State bodies and other actors effectively promote and protect human rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, with particular attention to the marginalized and the vulnerable.
In order to mainstream the efforts and to have a comprehensive/interdisciplinary approach to various interventions at national level, a special unit for the management and implementation of justice and human rights development projects, initiatives and events was set up within UNDP. The Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit is currently responsible for the management of projects and interventions with an overall budget of about 1.200.000 USD
An ongoing intervention is focused on supporting the comprehensive efforts in police reform in the Republic of Moldova by providing technical assistance, capacity building and bringing innovative approaches and solutions to issues faced within the reform process.
A new intervention developed by UNDP will continue to support national stakeholders in the implementation of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy and NHRAP. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen rule of law and human rights protection in the Republic of Moldova. The project seeks to further strengthen the capacities of national stakeholders in specific areas of combating corruption, capacity building of the Constitutional Court and strengthening human rights protection framework and mechanisms with the focus on the tangible and visible results both for the target groups involved and the broader public. The project will also address activities that are equally important for a steady progress in the implementation of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy and NHRAP, but had not received a relevant attention yet.
Key UN values, principles and approaches, such as human rights based approach, equality, gender issues and inclusion, will be mainstreamed throughout the project implementation within every project’s component.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer contributes to the effective and efficient implementation of the project components, activities, events and other types of interventions in Justice and Human Rights area through a range of actions contributing to planning, implementation, and monitoring of the corresponding activities. The incumbent applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. He/she is responsible and accountable to the Project Steering Committee for the implementation of assigned project components and activities and achievement of projects results.
The Project Officer works (when delegated) in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery.
The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Summary of Key Functions:

The Project Officer will be part of the Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit and will, under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, be responsible for managing the successful implementation of Strengthening Rule of Law and Human Rights Protection in Moldova Project components, as well as other justice and human rights activities which might be assigned to him/her. The Project Officer might be assigned to lead a team of short-term experts.
The incumbent will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients. More specifically:

In close coordination with the Project Manager, assume full responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently all project activities and resources (human, financial, physical / material assets, etc) under the project(s) components, assigned to him/her, in order to meet expected results;
Build, motivate and lead a high performing team consisting of short term experts;
Ensure all project(s) actions assigned are fully compliant with UNDP policies and procedures;
Within the project framework agreed with the national counterparts, contribute to the preparation and implementation of joint work plans that reflect the scope of activities, timing, sequencing, cost and other inputs for the implementation of the project(s) activities;
Liaise (when assigned) with the national partners, donors and the UNDP office to ensure that project(s) results are achieved and project(s) resources are managed efficiently and effectively;
Work with the Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit to present work-plans, periodic narrative progress and final reports and expenditure status reports to the Project Board and UNDP Country Office;
In collaboration with the Project Associate and under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, manage efficiently the financial resources of the assigned project(s) components, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
Initiate and follow the procurement activities with the support of the Project Associate and under the overall guidance of the Project Manager;
Undertake performance appraisals for the experts coordinated;
Assist the Project Manager in the development of annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, and assist in developing periodical project and other reports and close monitoring of activities and disbursements.
Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning.
Contribute to the wide dissemination and visibility of project(s) achievements. Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels.
Provide regular reports to the Project Manager and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately;
Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the project(s) as required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Adheres to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status; displays sensitivity and adaptability to the diversity;
Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must;
Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values;
Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility;
Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Focuses on tasks/activities which have a strategic impact on programme and capacity development activities;
Promotes a supportive environment to enhance partnerships, leverages resources and build support for UNDP’s strategic initiatives;
Collaborates with regional, national and local partners to create and apply knowledge and concepts that will help partners achieve UNDP’s development objectives within the country and regional context;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise / In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of Programme, managing data, reporting;
Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems;
Ability to engage with various partners and stakeholders at different levels, to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government and represent UNDP in national and regional fora;
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
Capacity to implement the strategic vision and programmatic goals as laid down in the Project Document;
Proven performance in organizing and coordinating major initiatives, events or challenging inter-organizational activities;
Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs;

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner, maintaining a high quality standard throughout;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively;
Demonstrated ability to manage a team and to foster team spirit and synergy.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent (5-year university education) in law, human rights, public administration or other closely related fields.

Experience:

At least three (3) years of relevant professional experience at the national level in the design, management and implementation of projects;
Experience in working with justice and human rights institutions is a strong advantage;
Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector / consulting firm is a strong advantage;
Experience in managing a team is also a strong advantage;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian;
Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.

Applications should be submitted on line and include fully completed Personal History Form (P11) as attachment instead of CV/resume.

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.