UNDP Jobs - 53950- PROJECT OFFICER/Human Rights:Justice and Human Rig

PROJECT OFFICER/Human Rights:Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit

Location :

Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

16-Mar-2015

Application Deadline :

02-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

During 2012-2014 the Justice and Human Rights Programme has contributed to the implementation of a number of governmental strategies and action plans (Justice Sector Reform Strategy for 2011-2016, National Human Rights Action Plan for 2011-2014, Plan of Actions for sustaining Roma people in Republic of Moldova 2011-2014, EU-Moldova Visa Liberalization Action Plan etc.) with the overall objective to support the Government in the implementation of its wider reform agenda, the Government Activity Programme and the National Development Strategy Moldova 2020, and in particular to assist the Government through developing the capacities required for achieving a steady progress in the reform process.
The Programme’s development assistance was provided through a number of targeted projects and interventions, most of them were of medium or small scale: from 500.000 USD to 25.000 USD.
The existence of several medium and small projects and initiatives has led to the need for a more programmatic approach ensuring coherent coordination and joining efforts for achieving enhanced results through establishing a joint management mechanism allowing the coordinated and efficient implementation and a fair distribution of management related costs. Therefore, a number of projects and initiatives were managed by one Project Manager. The current projects and initiatives are at different stages of the implementation at the beginning of 2015: some of them are newly started, while others are continuing till December 2015. Two new major projects were launched at the beginning of 2015: one two-year project and one four-year project with the total funding of about 4.300.000 USD. The current status of the Justice and Human Rights Programme suggests that the trend of combination of several diverse by size and timeline initiatives within the Programme’s subject area will continue, as well as the need for their joint management.
Based on the above, a decision was taken to establish a Justice and Human Rights Projects Management Unit to serve as an umbrella management mechanism. In these circumstances the incumbent, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, will contribute to the effective and efficient implementation of the existing projects and the newly launched Supporting National Human Rights Institutions as per International Treaty Bodies and UPR Recommendations Project, initiatives and events primarily in the area of Human Rights with the average total annual budget of about 1.000.000 USD.
The overall goal of the new Supporting National Human Rights Institutions as per International Treaty Bodies and UPR Recommendations 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.
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 is continuing their efforts in supporting human rights institutions to promote and protect human rights in the Republic of Moldova.

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 primarily in 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, will contribute to the effective and efficient implementation of the existing Strengthening Rule of Law and Human Rights Protection in Moldova Project, Joint UNCT for Human Rights Promotion and Protection Project and the newly launched Supporting National Human Rights Institutions as per International Treaty Bodies and UPR Recommendations Project, as well as other human rights and justice 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.
Experience in managing a team is also a strong advantage;

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 project based activities related to justice and human rights areas and/or working in a relevant position to this post;
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 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.