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Project Officer Rule of Law and Access to Justice

10:35:00 AM
In eastern DRC, fighting between armed groups, high criminality and impunity have characterized the justice and human rights landscape of the region. As a result of the magnitude of the abuses, the ongoing conflict and and the lack of available resources the national judicial system has been unable to respond to these violations.

The prevalence of impunity contributes to undermine the basic security of populations. Legal uncertainty and the chronic lack of access to justice are obstacles to the stabilization of the region and the restoration of lasting peace. An environment conducive to human development can only be achieved through an increasing respect for human rights and rule of law.

To reinforce and complement initiatives underway in Eastern DRC, UNDP has developed different projects aimed at promoting access to justice for the population, in particular women. Ongoing projects shall contribute to: a) increase awareness about legal and judicial protection mechanisms available to the population; b) improve access to legal aid and assistance by the local population; c) strengthen and improve law enforcement and judicial presence and performance in the territories and response to the population demands.
The Project Officer will be based in the Project Office in Bukavu, South Kivu with frequent travels within the province. He/she will work under the overall coordination and supervision of the Access to Justice Coordinator for the East, based in the Field Office of Goma.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer will perform the following duties:

  • Assure the implementation and reporting of the project Strengthening Womens’s Access to Justice (2011-2013), Strengthening Investigation and Prosecution Capacity of the Military Justice System on Sexual Violence in eastern DRC (through SCR 1888 Team of Experts) (2012) and any other Rule OF Law related projects to be held in South Kivu;
  • Assist the Project Coordinator on the planning and conceptualization of activities;
  • Assure the planning, implementation and reporting of the project Reinforcement of the Judicial and Penitentiary Institutions (2011-2012);
  • Liaise with implementing partners on a regular basis and provide technical guidance as needed, and support capacity building activities with the bar association, judiciary system and local civil societies;
  • Contribute to inter-agency initiatives on a Rule of Law response to sexual and gender-based violence in South Kivu;
  • Contribute to periodic reports and the preparation of other documentation as required;
  • Assist the Project Coordinator in the development, negotiation and implementation of any additional initiatives elaborated in the context of the project’s area of intervention;
  • Provide support in developing new partnerships between UNDP and stakeholders – including national authorities, 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;
  • When required, 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 South Kivu;
  • Co-ordinate the work of interns and individual consultants placed under his/her supervision;
  • Assist the Project Coordinator on the identification and development of new projects and project documents in the area of Rule of Law and Justice;
  • Undertake any other activities as designated by the Project Coordinator as needed.

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:
  • Very good knowledge of the region, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights;
  • Results driven, ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and psychologically difficult environment, with a minimum of comfort and in dangerous security conditions;
  • Ability to plan work assignments, establish priorities and to meet strict assignment deadlines. Capacity to adjust priorities as required to use time efficiently;
  • Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and integrity;
  • Ability to build strong relationships with clients and to focus on impact and results;
  • Demonstrated aptitude to coordinate activities with other international organizations, donors and national partners;
  • Capacity to coordinate monitoring activities in the field, to mentor program/project staff and provide guidance and support;
  • Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems and delivering strategic insight and analysis;
  • Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound legal positions;
  • Compelling communication (verbal and written) skills, including ability to prepare reports, formulate and defend sound recommendations and articulate options concisely conveying maximum necessary information;
  • Negotiating skills and ability to work at all levels with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; capacity to recognize and respond appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others;
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing in the office and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • University degree in law, preferably with specialization in human rights and/or international criminal law.
Experience:
  • At least 5 years’ work experience dealing with issues related to access to justice, judicial reform and/or strengthening of the rule of law in conflict and post-conflict countries;
  • Excellent knowledge of the legal and judicial system in DRC;.
  • 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.

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