Project Specialist – Rule of Law and Justice

The Democratic Governance Reform Project for Tigray Region (DGRPT) is a one-year (March 2024 to March 2025) multi-stakeholder project. The project is technically managed by UNDP with close coordination with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to support efforts to build the capacity of the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray (IRAT) following the Pretoria Agreement. The aim is to lay the foundation for addressing peacebuilding-related capacity gaps in Tigray’s justice sector civil service, and democratization institutions (political parties, civil society, and the media). The project responds to the needs and commitment of the IRAT, to address governance deficits to drive forward implementation of the Pretoria Agreement & beyond. The UN considers critical to peace consolidation the strong calls of the IRAT for democratization, social and political changes, greater- openness and accountability, government responsiveness, and accommodation of political positions. The project, with due consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and commitments to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will support the region to enhance efforts towards strengthening institutional capacities, frameworks, personnel, and systems to ensure sustainable peace. 

This project is an outcome of extensive needs assessment, consultations with the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray, and guidance from the Federal Ministry of Finance to initiate a democratic governance reform project owned and led by the IRAT. It will deliver three inter-related and complementary outputs: 

• Output 1: A unit with a dedicated and competent team equipped with the necessary expertise, resources, and mandate to effectively lead the implementation of the DGRPT is established.
• Output 2: Three interrelated comprehensive democratic governance institution assessments conducted, and the basic functionality of the target institutions restored.
• Output 3: A five-year evidence-based gender-responsive democratic institution reforms programme aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity within governance structures in Tigray developed and launched for implementation.

In view of this, UNDP would like to recruit a competent Rule of Law and Justice Project Specialist who would join the DGRP4T Project in Mekelle, Tigray to effectively deliver the goals and objectives of the Peace Support Project.

Scope of Work

Summary of Key Functions:

• Provision of technical advice and services internally within the Bureau of Justice, Supreme Court and Police Commission of Tigray and project team, and externally to other regional government offices and NSA on implementation of the rule of law and access to justice activities in alignment with the DGRP4T project objectives and principles.
• Facilitation and provision of technical support on the undertaking of comprehensive assessment on the area of rule of law, justice including the Transitional Justice and design of a comprehensive Justice sector programme.
• Provision of technical support towards establishment and strengthening of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, regional/ national actors, and development partners, and support the resource mobilization efforts of the project. 
• Analysis and synthesis of the regional justice sector and rule of initiative including Transitional Justice in the region.
• Undertaking regular monitoring and evaluation of DGRP4T activities as per the project M&E framework and plan, analysis of programme data for promotion of data use for decision making.
• Facilitation of knowledge building, management, communication, and outreach.         

Duties and Responsibilities

Provision of technical advice and services internally within the Bureau of Justice, Supreme Court of Tigray, and project team, and externally to other regional government offices and NSA on implementation of the rule of law and access to justice activities in alignment with the DGRP4T project objectives and principles focusing on the achievement of the following results.

• Provide high quality technical support and advice to Justice Bureau, and Supreme Court and other relevant government offices and Non-State Actors on the area of justice, and rule of law and facilitate the effective implementation of the project.
• Keep abreast of policy changes and trends regarding justice and rule of reform and dynamism; and analyze and inform the project management.
• Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues and share with project unit.
• Coordinate with UNDP Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding Unit as well as the regional governance sector and CSO operating in the region to align with the work of the DGRP4T intervention.
• Ensure adherence of UNDP-supported work to safeguards: HACT, ESS, human rights, ‘leaving no one behind and “do–no-harm” updates risks and risk mitigation, to inform future plan.

Facilitation and provision of technical support on the undertaking of comprehensive assessment on the area of rule of law, justice including the Transitional Justice and design of a comprehensive Justice sector programme focusing on the achievement of the following results.

• Facilitate and undertake a comprehensive assessment on the area of justice and rule of law in collaboration with relevant regional institutions.
• Support on development of well-structured and sustainable capacity development plans for addressing them.
• Identify programmatic entry points through comprehensive gap assessments and actively contribute to the formulation of Justice Sector programme.
• Coordinate project implementation with implementing partners according to agreed-upon priorities, Annual Work Plans, and available resources.

Provision of technical support towards establishment and strengthening of strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, regional/ national actors, and development partners, and support the resource mobilization efforts of the project focusing the achievement of the following results.

• Build strong and trusted relationships with regional bureaus, including zonal and woreda officials, as well as with target communities.
• Ensure effective partnerships with the UN Agencies, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, academia, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic coordination among goals of the regional government’s priorities.
• Prepare briefing notes, statements, talking points and speeches for Senior Management related to DGRP4T project under custody,
• Maintain project staff, partners briefs and activity information for bilateral donors, civil society, academia, private sector, and other stakeholders, to support UNDP’s visibility activities.
• Lead local platforms of like-minded state and CSOs to contribute to strengthening rule of law and access to Justice as well as Transitional Justice Process in the region.

Analysis and synthesis of the regional justice sector and rule of initiative including Transitional Justice in the region focusing on achievements of the following results.

• Develop concept papers, briefing notes, issues papers and analytical pieces to inform UNDP policymaking and programming.
• Contribute to policy analysis and research of the justice sector and rule of law situation in the region as well as the Transitional Justice Process with a particular focus of areas that have impacts on the project outcome.
• Identify areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned based on the above analysis.
• Ensures gender equality and social inclusion are integrated into all aspects of planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Undertaking regular monitoring and evaluation of DGRP4T activities as per the project M&E framework and plan, analysis of programme data for promotion of data use for decision making focusing on achievements of the following results

• Regular monitoring and oversight of projects and suggest timely readjustments when necessary.
• Effective application of RBM tools, monitoring achievement of results and contribution to team and office-wide initiatives and activities,
• Financial and physical substantive monitoring of projects, analysis of the project environment, identification of operational and financial challenges/risks and propose timely adjustments and/solutions,
• Regular field monitoring visits, reporting back on findings and recommendations, follow-up to ensure timely implementation of the recommendations to build the capacity of the implementing partners,
• Compilation of project progress reports, distilling lessons learnt, contribution to UNDP corporate reporting requirements.

Facilitation of knowledge building, management, communication, and outreach focusing on achievements of the following results

• Identify and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt linked to programme objectives and priorities,
• Identify, document, and share lessons learned and generate recommendations for consideration of the UNDP management /Project Steering Committee to feeding into improved implementation of the DGRP4T project.
• Ensure good coordination and collaboration with suppliers, implementing partners, beneficiaries, and other key project stakeholders.
• Promote close coordination with other partners and/similar initiatives on RoL and Access to Justice, to ensure constructive collaboration as much as possible,
• Coordinate internal and external reviews and evaluations and facilitation of application of lessons in future programming.
• Sound contribution to knowledge building, networks, and communities of practice,
• Systematic recording of best practices and lessons learnt in the areas assigned,
• Organize tailored made trainings for implementing partners, operations/projects staff on programme management issues applying RBM tools,
• Synthesize lessons learnt and best practices in project implementation and participate actively in relevant communities of practice.
• Prepare and/ or contribute to communications materials, including audio-visual products, on UNDP’s Peace Support Programme and other related efforts.
• Perform other activities as assigned by supervisor.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Institutional Arrangement 

• Under the overall guidance of team leader-DGPB and direct supervision of Team leader of the DGRP4T project or his/her designate, Project Specialist, Rule of Law and Justice is responsible for ensuring effective management of the DGRP4T Project, providing technical and operational support to the comprehensive assessment, design, implementation and monitoring and reporting activities relevant to justice sector intervention. The position holder is also expected to assist in the interface between UNDP and its implementing partners in the targeted region, most notably on justice and rule of law institutions/actors. The incumbent would be required to support the conduct of the requisite analytical and situational assessment to inform programme design and understand trends and patterns that impact on the programme. He/she provides policy and technical advisory services to regional government counterparts as well as UNDP.
• The Project Specialist is expected to work independently, with minimal supervision but in close collaboration with the programme colleagues within the Country Office, and to actively engage with government partners and other actors.

Impact of Result 

• The results to be delivered by the Project Specialist will ensure effective implementation of DGRP4T Project in Tigray. Further, it will enhance UNDP’s ability to enhance access to justice and rule of law, systems, and institutions for effective justice services to people of Tigray. UNDP’s stakeholders and partners are increasingly requiring that we demonstrate greater development results and harmonization by ensuring implementation of programmes and projects in a more integrated and coherent manner, and by adapting a results-based project management, ensuring sustainability of development results. This capacity would allow UNDP to offer to partners – government and donors, implementation of sound projects and programmes that are evidence-based, relevant and effective. The results will also facilitate a new paradigm by applying portfolio approach in programming that ensures alignment and complementarity, shared learning, and value for money.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, Public Policy, Political Science, or related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) and or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in project management and provision of technical advisory services is required.
• Experience in the usage of advanced computers and office software packages, including in Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and common internet applications and handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Demonstrated working level experience in human rights, access to justice and rule of law policy analysis and capacity development.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating effectively with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, private sector, project staffs,)
• Hands-on experience in the design, monitoring and evaluation and impact analysis of rule of law and justice sector or relevant projects and programmes.
• Experience and track record of engagement with and coordinating activities and initiatives that involve senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors.
• Experience in the field of post-conflict coordination and proven analytical capacity, especially for issues relating to rule of law, justice, and human rights.
• Practical experience in organization management, strategic planning of associations and public organizations at the national and regional level.
• Familiarity with programmatic issues related to justice, rule of law and human rights and transitional justice process.
• Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to peacebuilding, reconstruction, and development, and a good knowledge of the United Nations System and the multi/bilateral cooperation.
• Experience and deep understanding of the Ethiopian political and governance context including good knowledge and understanding of Ethiopia, including human rights, justice and rule of law, peacebuilding, political, economic, and social context of target Regions

Language: 

• Fluency in English and local language of the duty station is required

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/19335