UNDP Jobs - 52279- Project Manager:Justice and Human Rights Projects

Project Manager:Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit

Location :

Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

05-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

21-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

till 31 December 2015

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

2 years

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 a State-Party to the majority UN and CoE human rights treaties. It has also adopted a National Human Rights Action Plan for 2011-2014, which contains commitments to protect and advance specific human rights taking into account the recommendations of the UN treaty bodies and a number of UPR recommendations. Related priorities and commitments are established under the UN-Moldova Partnership Framework (UNPF) 2013-2017, which addresses a number of human rights and institutional issues, including strengthening human rights oversight mechanisms, implementation of UPR, UN treaty bodies and special procedures recommendations, strengthening Ombudsperson Office and National Torture Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in-line with the Paris Principles, mainstreaming human rights equality, including on gender, in education and training, strategies, policies and State budgeting, securing the rights of the most vulnerable, etc. Reform of the National Human Rights Institution is prioritized at the highest level of government. The Justice Sector Reform Strategy adopted and the corresponding Action Plan provide for strengthening the Center for Human Rights and the Ombudsperson institution. The government of the Republic of Moldova needs to be supported in the implementation of the planed actions and applying best international practices and experiences. Therefore UNDP and OHCHR are continuing their efforts in supporting human rights institutions to promote and protect human rights in the Republic of Moldova.
In order to respond to the number of strategic needs and priorities, UND and OHCHR will implement in 2015-1016 Supporting National Human Rights Institutions as per International Treaty Bodies and UPR Recommendations Project. The overall goal of the Project is to contribute to the effective protection and promotion of human rights, equality and non-discrimination in the Republic of Moldova with particular attention to women, minorities, marginalised and vulnerable groups. The project seeks to catalyse the emergence of the strongest possible independent national human rights institutions for Moldova – Ombudsperson Office and Equality Council – and to increase their focus around core strategic human rights goals to maximise their impact. The project will build the capacities, independence and empowerment of the two institutions to maximise their impact in mainstreaming human rights and equality, including gender equality, in acting on strategic issues and for the resolution of individual cases.
In addition to this, UNDP is continuing implementation in 2014-2016 of the Strengthening Rule of Law and Human Rights Protection in Moldova Project. Its overall objective is to strengthen rule of law and human rights protection in the Republic of Moldova in-line with international human rights standards, Justice Sector Reform Strategy (2011 – 2016) and its Action Plan, and National Human Rights Action Plan (2011-2014) and mainstreaming human rights based approach, equality, gender issues and inclusion. 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.
Further, a number of other smaller projects, activities and initiatives in the subject area may be further included to be managed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, the incumbent provides effective and efficient management of the projects through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Manager 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 Board for the project results. UN values, principles and approaches, including the Human Rights Based Approach, equality, gender issues and inclusion, should be mainstreamed throughout the projects implementation.

The Project Manager works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex projects-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.

The Project Manager under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst and in close cooperation with the Programme Specialist (Governance, Justice and Human Rights Cluster Leader) be responsible for managing the successful implementation of the the National Human Rights Institutions as per International Treaty Bodies and UPR Recommendations Project and the Strengthening Rule of Law and Human Rights Protection in Moldova Project, as well as other interventions relevant to the subject area. The incumbent will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the Justice and Human Rights Programme) of the highest quality and standards to national counterparts and clients through applying HRBA and GE approaches. More specifically:

Ensure the timely and efficient delivery of Project outputs and products leading to the achievement of expected results;
Within the strategic framework concerted with the national counterparts, prepare work-plans reflecting the scope of activities, timing, sequencing, cost and other inputs for the implementation of the Project activities;
Be responsible for the implementation of the Project work plan according to indicators for achieving planned results, as well as for the overall management of the Project in accordance to prevailing UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
Liaise with the national counterparts, donors and the UNDP office to ensure that Project results are achieved and Project resources are managed efficiently and effectively;
Present work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports and expenditures status reports to the Project Board and UNDP Country Office;
Ensure the effective management of human resources pertaining to the Project, including both staff, consultants and short-term experts; conduct periodic performance appraisals; build, lead and motivate a solid team of professionals; validate terms of reference for international and national consultants;
Manage efficiently the financial resources of the Project, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
Continuously record and maintain relevant Project activities, issues, risks, etc in the UNDP Atlas Project Management Module (software platform);
Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study tours and related activities relevant to the implementation of the Project;
Identify key performance indicators as well as develop and maintain a monitoring system to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback and elaboration of top quality progress reports;
Ensure high quality information and visibility of the Project activities to the mass media and stakeholders;
Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Project as required;

Specific tasks:

Build, motivate and lead a high performing team consisting of staff and short term consultants, undertake performance appraisals for the staff and consultants coordinated;
Develop annual activity and procurement work plans as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, develop periodical project and other reports and monitor activities and disbursements;
Provide regular reports to the Programme Analyst and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately;
Promote knowledge sharing and building among partners and stakeholders. Research, collect and analyze any relevant information (including foreign experience) regarding institutional capacity development programs;
Support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels;
Support the Programme Analyst and the Country Office Programme section in general in Human Rights Programme development, formulation and strategic processes with substantive contributions;
Support the implementing partners in managing donor contributions in a coordinated way towards achieving common objectives in the Programme area;
Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the projects as required.

Key Results:

The key results have a direct impact on the overall successful achievement of the UN-Republic of Moldova Partnership Framework Outcome 1.3: “Human Rights, Empowerment of Women and Anti-discrimination: 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”.
Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision-making of the Projects Steering Committees, the Beneficiary and UNDP management.

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;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

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 related areas. Additional training and certification in project management would be an advantage.

Experience:

At least five years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of projects related to the human rights areas and/or working in a relevant position to this post;
Previous experience of work in the human rights area and/or with 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 very strong advantage;
Experience in managing a multidisciplinary team, including consultants;
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.