Programme Officer - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights (Office-Based)

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.

UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Particular focus is on the development of a horizontal network of practitioners across UNDP and the broader development community and working closely with UNDP Regional Hubs.

Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery and its Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights (ROLSHR) Team manages UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development which provides programmatic, policy and financial support to national partners in over 50 contexts.

In 2012, the United Nations Secretary-General established the Global Focal Point for police, justice and corrections areas in the rule of law in post-conflict and other complex settings, as part of an effort to enhance the predictability, coherence, accountability and effectiveness of the United Nations delivery in the field of the rule of law. In 2018, Global Focal Point for police, justice and corrections was renamed as the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law (GFP).

The GFP– co-chaired by UNDP Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team (ROLSHR), Department of Peace (DPO) Operations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) Justice and Corrections Service (JCS) and Police Division (PD) – contributes to the prevention and peace agenda by strengthening the system-wide provision of rule of law assistance to address violent conflict, protect human rights and restore justice and security for conflict-affected people. The GFP is an internal UN coordinating platform that delivers technical support to member states, UN peace operations and UN Country Teams, through planning, programming and joint assessments. Since its establishment in 2012 the GFP has supported rule of law efforts in 35 crisis and/or conflict affected settings. The GFP platform enables partners such as UNODC, UNHCR, OHCHR, EOSG, UNOPS, UN Women and others to jointly pursue shared objectives, in accordance with their specific mandates and capacities

The Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) is co-led by UNDP ROLSHR and UNODA Conventional Arms Branch (CAB) and is one of the identified actions in support of the Secretary-General’s Disarmament Agenda “Securing our Common Future” launched in 2018. Financially housed in the Peace-Building Fund of the Secretary-General and operationally anchored in UNDP’s Global Programme, SALIENT is a global project that allocates small grants to catalyse more comprehensive approaches to small-arms and light weapons (SALW) and armed-violence reduction (AVR) in priority countries. Leveraging the complementary expertise and operational capacities of UNODA and UNDP, SALIENT supports catalytic activities in operationalizing and mainstreaming small arms control in development efforts and policies.

Scope of Work 

The Programme Officer contributes to advancing rule of law, security and human rights efforts, in line with a One UN approach, including by facilitating partnerships, coordination, communication and convening functions for the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law (GFP), via the UNDP Global Programme on Rule of Law and Human Rights, and supporting global and country-level implementation of the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) initiative for armed violence reduction.

Under the supervision of the UNDP Head of Rule of Law, Security & Human Rights or his/her designated mandated representative(s), and in close coordination with the representatives of the Department of Peace Operations - OROLSI Justice and Corrections Service, Police Division, and associated Standing Capacities, and the UNODA Conventional Arms Branch, the Programme Officer will:

1)           Ensure effective programme/project management and coordination.

• Perform convening and advisory functions for GFP and SALIENT implementation, including through organization of regular coordination, management, and high-level meetings and appropriately channeling/addressing requests from the field.
• Provide country support, including by sharing knowledge and guidance materials, preparing and supporting missions, exploring and maintaining contacts with experts and standing capacities, supporting field deployments, and assisting in overcoming interoperability challenges.
• Guide GFP managers in budget management, including in monitoring delivery of activities and resource mobilization, preparing necessary administrative and operational documents, both at the country and HQ-level.
• Incorporate cross-cutting thematic areas such as gender and human rights in all activities.
• Support with hiring and onboarding for vacancies on the GFP and SALIENT core teams. 
• Any other related tasks, as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. 

2)           Build and maintain strategic partnerships.

• Maintain existing and build new relationships, with UN entities, member states, NGOs, multilateral and regional organizations, think-tanks and academic institutions involved in rule of law, security, human rights, and disarmament.
• Liaise across UNDP Crisis Bureau and with other UN entities, in contexts such as CAR, South Sudan, DRC and others, to support transition planning, and represent GFP on relevant inter-agency task forces as required.
• Plan, organize and implement donor visits, retreats, workshops, meetings and training programmes.

3)           Facilitate knowledge management and information flow

• Liaise with UN staff at HQ and in the field to facilitate and promote information-sharing, identification of needs and collaboration opportunities, including joint planning and programming, and assist in strategic engagement.
• Contribute to knowledge management by updating relevant entities on developments in the rule of law area, sharing policy and practitioner guidance, and responding to specific requests for information. Also prepares internal and external communication material including information materials, internal memos, and contributions to high-level/SG reports.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing and monitoring, evaluation and learning activities undertaken under the GFP and SALIENT, including through facilitating and/or participating in communities of practices, lessons learned exercises, etc. 
• Perform other tasks as appropriate to support the team’s substantive work on justice, security, and human rights and supports coordination and timely delivery under the UNDP Global Programme on Rule of Law and Human Rights.

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

Institutional Arrangement

• The Programme Officer will report to the Head of the UNDP Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team in New York. The Officer will support the management and daily operations of the GFP Secretariat and the SALIENT project, in coordination with relevant counterparts in DPO OROLSI and UNODA. 

Competencies Project Management

Core

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements    

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, Social Science or relevant field of study is required.  Or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned areas, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience 

• A minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of professional work experience in a related field, including peace and security, law, rule of law, human rights, disarmament, governance, policy and/or programme development is required.

Required skills  

• Experience in implementing or supporting programmes in developing country settings, at the local level. 
• Proven track records of excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with UN and non-UN organizations and think tanks, good interpersonal skills, and organizational proficiency.
• Proven experience in engaging with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders).
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, Power Point, Teams etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and information visualization tools; and office technology equipment.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section     

• Experience in crisis, conflict, or post-conflict contexts is an asset.
• Experience working in a coordination mechanism or secretariat function is an asset.
• Experience in project/programme management is desirable.
• Experience in organizing meetings, events and workshops is an asset.
• Experience in working at United Nations, UNDP or other international organizations is an asset.
• Experience in peacekeeping or special political mission-setting is desirable.

Required Language(s)   

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Working Knowledge of one or more UN Official language(s) would be an advantage.