Location : Monrovia, LIBERIA
Application Deadline : 25-Apr-12
Additional Category Democratic Governance
Type of Contract : Service Contract
Post Level : SC-10
Languages Required : English
Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Jun-2012
Duration of Initial Contract : One year (Renewable)
Background
There is a strong recognition that significant weaknesses in governance, justice and security institutions of Liberia were key factors in causing the crises that beset Liberia over the past two decades. Through the PRS, the Government of Liberia (GoL) has expressed its resolve to address the weaknesses of the state that have driven poverty, instability and conflict. Importantly, the Government has highlighted the importance of the rule of law for consolidating peace. Effective and accountable legal and justice institutions, access to justice, and the protection and promotion of human rights are not only essential for sustainable peace-building, but are underpinning many of the PRS objectives in general. This is fully commensurate with the UN’s analysis and strategy in Liberia. Weak justice systems were identified as a pivotal conflict factor in the 2006 Common Country Assessment (CCA) for Liberia and strengthening the rule of law has thus been included as an important objective in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2008-11 (UNDAF) for Liberia.
To support the GoL in the achievement of priorities and outcomes described in the PRS and UNDAF, the Liberia Peacebuilding Programme was formulated. The programme builds on the Peace Building Commission’s (PBC) Priority Plan for Liberia which was concluded on 26 January 2011. The LPP is divided into two sections, which are strategically linked. Component 1 focuses on joint justice and security programming, while Component 2 focuses on national reconciliation programming. Component 1 is the key component, given that Social Security Reform and Rule of Law are fundamental to enabling UNMIL transition and fundamental to helping Liberia address the challenges it faces today. This component represents a Joint Justice and Security Programme between the Government of Liberia and the UN with a core outcome to enhance access to justice and security at regional and county level in preparation for UNMIL transition.
The Justice and Security Joint Programme (JSJP) proposes a catalytic initiative to enhance access to justice and security at the regional and county levels with the development of five regional justice and security hubs, in addition to the provision of justice and security services that are urgently required. It is envisaged that four core outputs will be delivered under the outcome on justice and security, including:
• Infrastructure, equipment, and other logistics for the effective performance of the regional hubs put in place
• Justice and security service providers able to provide fair and accountable professional services
• Justice and security service providers are responsive to community concerns
• Legal and policy frameworks in place that enable national authorities to better perform their duties in the justice and security sector
Under the leadership of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General – Rule of Law, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and UNMIL have undertaken steps to coordinate and position the UN’s support to key rule of law areas within the drawdown phase of UNMIL.This project will enable UNDP to be strong partner for UNMIL and the UNCT and gradually increase UNDP’s support capacity as the drawdown decreases UNMIL’s capacity on the ground.
Under the direct supervision of the Justice and Security Project Manager , the National Officer – Security will provide substantive and operational support to the implementation of the UNDP Justice and Security Project and assist in the interface between UNDP and the Government of Liberia on a wide range of issues in the rule of law sector and the security system. The National Officer- Security will also be expected to work with the Ministries of Justice, Liberian National Police, Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization, Bureau of Correction and Fire Service among others, with regard to matters with implication on rule of law/administration of security.
Duties and Responsibilities
The National Officer – Security will substantially contribute to the programmatic development and implementation of the Project.
His/her main duties will be as follows:
• In consultation with the Project Manager, manage the implementation and monitoring of the Justice and Security project with specific focus on Security activities;
• Ensures timely and effective coordination of all security related project activities with other relevant departments of UNDP, relevant UN Agencies, donors, Government and concerned international and national organizations.
• Ensures timely, effective and efficient programmatic, operational and administrative support to the project, including effective management and supervision of the project staff, finance and administrative matters in accordance with relevant UNDP rules and procedures to ensure smooth implementation of the project with specific focus on security and rule of law elements.
• Responsible and accountable for the appropriate, effective and efficient utilization and management of the resources allocated to the project and propose timely amendments as may be necessary.
• Substantive involvement in mobilizing resources for the project
• Support the Country Office and Government in establishing synergies and partnerships with others actors (national and international) on Rule of Law and Security issues at the strategic, technical and operational levels;
• Provide substantive recommendations on capacity building measures to support both the community engagement with security sector and security sector institutions themselves;
• Provide human rights capacity building of security personnel
• Provide top-quality technical advice to Country Office and Government and mentor on human rights and principles of the justice system to, law-enforcement and traditional systems;
• Engage in capacity and confidence-building with non-governmental rule of law and security actors, including consultative and participatory processes with national stakeholders, including women’s networks and legal professionals;
• Support the Project Manager – Justice and Security in performing the quality control function of project activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery of project outputs through a client-satisfaction approach;
• In coordination with the National Officer ( Justice), responsible for the provision of timely and effective feedback to enquiries, questions and comments on all project activities and project reports.
• Support the Project Manager Justice and Security in assessing the impact and effectiveness of the assistance through regular consultations with national and international counterparts and stakeholders, regular field visits, analysis and preparation of progress and other required reports;
• Participate in the CO’s programme meetings, providing regular updates and feedback on progress of resource mobilization efforts; and
• Perform any additional tasks as requested by the Supervisor.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
• Good knowledge of the Liberia legal/justice and security system, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights.
• Ability to work and act under pressure.
• Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion.
• 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 conveying maximum necessary information, 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 preferably in political science, law, international studies, development studies or a related field.
• A relevant combination of university law degree, professional training and experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced (Masters) degree.
Experience:
• At least 5 years’ work experience in Liberia or related post-conflict setting with substantial direct experience on access to justice, judicial reform and/or strengthening of the rule of law.
• Detailed knowledge familiarity of reconstruction process in Liberia with specific focus on the area of rule of law and human rights protection.
• Experience in development work, partnerships building and resource mobilization.
• Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experince in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for data analysis
• Prior experience within the United Nations, in particular UNDP, is desirable but not a requirement
Language:
• Strong written and spoken English skills. Knowledge of additional UN languages is desirable.
Application:
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• UNDP, as a matter of practice, does not charge any application, processing or training fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
• UNDP Liberia reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Liberia at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.
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.
Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 April 2012
