In eastern DRC, fighting between armed groups is continuing, accompanied by massive violations of human rights (summary executions, arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence) and impunity. For years, the justice system has been unable to assume its responsibilities in the face of the magnitude of abuses, including sexual violence.
Impunity continues to prevail and to undermine the basic security of populations. Since the security situation impacts on the process of return and reintegration of displaced populations, legal uncertainty and the chronic lack of access to justice in areas of return are obstacles to this process. The restoration of lasting peace and an environment conducive to human development can only be viable through respect for human rights, legal/physical protection and strengthening of the rule of law.
Throughout North and South Kivu and Ituri, people are facing many obstacles due to the inefficiency of the judicial system but also the specific nature of their situation, namely their gender.
To reinforce and complement initiatives underway in Eastern DRC, UNDP has developed a project which aims to promote access to justice for the population in Eastern DRC, in particular victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and thus meet a growing demand in terms of a) free legal assistance for vulnerable populations; b) institutionalization of legal assistance; c) awareness raising on peoples’ rights across the territories and at community level; d) technical and financial support to NGOs already engaged in free legal assistance and access to justice initiatives; ; e) support to relevant law enforcement agencies and judicial institutions; f) a coordinated and effective response in fighting impunity among development partners and political and judicial authorities.
The main objectives of this Access to Justice project in Eastern DRC are to: - Provide support for a better functioning of the criminal justice system (legal assistance; police, prosecutors,) to improve the fight against impunity and increase the number of criminals prosecuted;
- Improve judicial support to vulnerable groups and SGBV victims through provision of legal assistance;
- Strengthen local NGOs and establish a framework for consultation and coordination in order t the practices of legal assistance;
- Promote the restoration of trust between communities and between the population and the judiciary through the process of securing the three areas.
The Project Manager will be based in Goma, with frequent travels within North/South Kivu and whenever required to the UNDP Country Office base in Kinshasa. Based in Goma, he will work under the overall coordination of the Head of the Area Office of North Kivu, in close collaboration with the Head of Office of South Kivu. The Project Manager will be supervised by the Head of Office Nord Kivu with matrix reporting to and direct technical backstopping from the Coordinator of the Judiciary and Security Governance Cluster based in Kinshasa.
|
Duties and Responsibilities |
The duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager will include the following:
- Manage and supervise the implementation of UNDP’s Access to Justice and Sustainable Protection of Vulnerable Groups project in Eastern DRC, including the supervision of staff, management of resources and development of appropriate linkages with other actors involved in supporting access to justice, judicial reform and protection of civilians in Eastern DRC, with special focus on addressing the causes and consequences of SGBV.
- Manage and supervise the implementation of relevant joint projects in the field of access to justice and rule of law developed with MONUSCO and/or UN agencies;
- Provide strategic guidance and supervision to national and international Rule of Law Specialists to ensure effective implementation of project activities;
- Provide policy advice to UNDP Senior Management in Kinshasa, government counterparts, donors and other partners on issues related to access to justice, and protection of civilians, on SGBV issues, in eastern DRC;
- In close collaboration with MONUSCO, UN agencies, and other national and international development partners, provide technical and advisory support to line ministries (Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior) as per the project activities;
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders – including MONUSCO, UN agencies, community leaders, community-based organizations, local and international NGOs, donor partners to support capacity building in the areas of access to justice, gender justice, and protection of civilians;
- Substantively contribute to inter-agency initiatives on a Rule of Law response to sexual and gender-based violence in North and South Kivu and Ituri;
- Ensure the representation of UNDP in inter-agency working group meetings on SGBV and/or other coordination mechanisms on Rule of Law, Justice and Gender in North, South Kivu and Ituri;
- Maintain excellent relationships with national authorities and line ministries in North and South Kivu, and ensure that they are provided with regular updates on project implementation;
- Oversee and monitor work plans and budgets for all project activities;
- Actively participate in resource mobilization efforts in close consultation with Senior Management;
- Ensure timely and adequate reporting against work plans, including timely and articulate progress reports;
- Ensure high-quality and timely reporting to donors and other partners involved in the project;
- Ensure regular monitoring and evaluation, including but not limited to regular field visits and participation in Project Board and/or Steering Committee meetings;
- Ensure overall accountability of the use of project funds as well as the strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations in all project operations;
- Perform other duties as requested by his/her supervisor.
|
Competencies |
Corporate Competencies: - Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Functional Competencies: - Very good knowledge of the region, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights;
- Ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and psychologically difficult environment, with a minimum of comfort and in dangerous security conditions;
- Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion;
- Proven expertise in area of assignment; in-depth understanding of and an ability to evaluate international political situations in that area; experience in bilateral and multilateral negotiations;
- Proven ability to provide effective leadership and transfer advice and knowledge to staff at all levels and from different national and cultural backgrounds;
- Proven effective supervisory skills; ability to mentor staff and provide guidance and support;
- Proven ability to establish priorities and to plan, organize, coordinate and monitor own work plan and provide advice and guidance to others; in-depth understanding of division's strategic direction; resourcefulness, sound judgment and decision-making skills;
- Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems; ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives;
- Ability to actively seek to improve programmes/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs;
- Excellent and effective communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely, making and defending recommendations; diplomacy and tact; ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials;
- Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
- Effective negotiating skills and ability to work with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings.
|
Required Skills and Experience |
| Education: - Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in law, political sciences or international relations, preferably with specialization in human rights. Experience as a lawyer or judge would be a strong advantage.
Experience: - At least 7 years’ work experience dealing with issues in conflict and post-conflict countries and substantial direct experience on access to justice, judicial reform and/or strengthening of the rule of law;
- Good understanding of and proven experience in addressing SGBV;
- Detailed knowledge of development process and post-conflict related issues, particularly in the revival and development of accountable rule of law institutions in a post-conflict/peace-building environment;
- Proven experience in transition and development coordination and resource mobilization;
- Prior experience within the United Nations, in particular UNDP, is desirable.
Language requirements:
Excellent written and spoken French; and fluency in English.
|
|
| 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. |
No comments: