Gender Specialist - Justice United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
VACANCY ANNOUCEMENT No. 2009/02/026
Position Information:
Job Code Title: Gender Specialist (Justice)
Organizational Unit: UNDP/Gender Specialist Project
Type of Appointment:Appointment for Limited Duration (International)
Level:ALD3
Number of Vacant Positions: One (1)
Duration: One Year (with possibility of extension)
Duty Station: Kabul (with possibility of travel to other provinces), Afghanistan
Closing Date for Applications: 21 February 2009
Note: UNDP Afghanistan 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 Afghanistan at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.
UNDP Mission Statement:
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.
Organizational Context:
UNDP has been providing gender technical support to the Government of Afghanistan through the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) since 2002. In 2007 UNDP signed its new project Institutional Capacity Building for Gender Equality (Gender Equality) with the MoWA and the Ministry of Economy (MoEc) to strengthening capacity of selected state institutions for the advancement of gender equity and women’s empowerment in Afghanistan. The project aims to develop effective gender mainstreaming models to strengthen the capacity of government ministries and institutions at national and sub-national levels. The project is in line with the goals set out in the ANDS for gender equity and consistent with the Millennium Development Goals of gender equality and empowerment of women. The project has three components:
1) Modeling gender mainstreaming through selected ministries; 2) Sustainable knowledge building and management on gender; and 3) Towards women’s empowerment: conflict resolution, justice, security and peace at the sub-national level.
Gender Equality is geared towards strengthening the capacity of the counterparts and other ministries and institutions involved in the implementation of the project. The position of the Gender Specialist (Justice) has been created to support the management of the implementation of Component 3 Gender Equality project – Women’s Empowerment, Conflict Resolution, Justice, Security and Peace at the Sub-National Level.
Functions / Key Results Expected:
Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Gender Equality Programme Manager and in close cooperation with the Communication Specialist, the M&E and Learning Specialist, the Gender and Islamic Theology Specialist, the Provincial co-ordinators and local NGOs, the Gender Justice Specialist will undertake the following functions:
Summary of Key Functions:
• Establishment of a consensus among relevant partners and setting up of a coordination mechanism aimed at creating and maintaining a just and women-friendly society;
• Preparation of project component plan and guidelines for implementation, in accordance with the project document/ plan;
• Installation of an accessible mechanism for the registration of legal cases;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and promotion of capacity enhancement.
1. Ensure establishment of a consensus among relevant partners and setting up of a coordination mechanism aimed at creating and maintaining a just and women-friendly environment, focusing on achieving the following results:
• Conduct a consensus building workshop with partners at provincial level to identify their present level of understanding of the gender responsiveness of the justice system, as well as the preparedness to facilitate change towards better systems and access to justice for women;
• Set up a coordination mechanism to work on improvements in the field of justice for women with the key project partners;
• Prepare the TOR of members of the coordination mechanism; identify the institutional composition of the coordination mechanism; coordinate the formulation and implementation of the mechanism’s plan of action to, among others, undertake activities in the field of awareness raising and para-legal education on gender justice issues and mechanisms;
• In coordination with the Communications Specialist, launch the creation of the coordination mechanism.
2. Ensure preparation of project component plan and guidelines for implementation, in accordance with the project document/ plan, focusing on achieving the following results:
• Develop an action plan with partners to undertake activities in the field of awareness raising and legal education on gender justice issues and mechanisms:
o In the communities and with Shuras;
o With local authorities;
o With law enforcement agencies;
o With DoWA and DoJ staff;
o With the Civil Society Institutions.
• In close cooperation with the M&E and Learning Specialist, develop guidelines for ongoing assessment, evaluation and improvement of the programme activities;
• In cooperation with the M&E and Learning Specialist, develop a monitoring system to determine the results of project component interventions.
3. Ensure installation of an accessible mechanism for the registration of legal cases, focusing on achieving the following results:
• In coordination with the proper authorities, set up easily usable systems for registering legal cases and prepare guidelines for handling them;
• In close coordination with the Communications Specialist, widely disseminate information on the use of these registration systems.
4. Ensure facilitation in knowledge building and promotion of capacity enhancement, focusing on achieving the following results:
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices;
• Sound contribution to knowledge building and communities of practice;
• Organisation of trainings for project staff and relevant counterparts, on legal and women rights issues;
• Selection and training of paralegals and setting up of a support and supervision system;
• Undertake any other related job as assigned by the Programme Manager of Gender Equality.
Impact of Results:
• The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of UNDP’s interventions and activities in achieving the country’s development and the MDGs;
• Gender responsiveness of the justice system and greater access to justice by women.
Competencies:
Corporate Competencies
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN.
Functional Competencies
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in an effective, pro-active and timely manner and apply newly acquired knowledge and skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Analytical and communication skills;
• A high level of professionalism and integrity to be demonstrated at all times;
• Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback;
• Understanding of post conflict environment, ever evolving development challenges;
• Excellent planning and organisational skills;
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
• Stress management ability, patience and tolerance;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Qualifications and Experiences:
Education:
• Masters degree or higher in civil and/or sharia law and additional training in other relevant subject areas including gender, economics, governance and/or other related social sciences.
Experience:
• A minimum of 5 years experience in the development, and management of gender justice sensitisation, training and advocacy activities;
• Strong ability for networking and collaborative work with government, national/international organizations and local entities, etc;
• Practical didactic skills and experience in knowledge transfer, capacity building and teamwork;
• Proven skills and attitude to handle religious and cultural sensitivity in addressing gender issues;
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural, political and development landscape of Afghanistan;
• Ability to work under pressure and meeting tight multiple deadlines with minimum supervision;
• Sound computer skills.
Language Requirements:
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of Pashto or Dari will be of great value.
Submission of Applications :
Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://jobs.undp.org/
Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (available at www.undp.org.af/jobs) in the relevant field of the on-line applications.
Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (21 February 2009) will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications who are short-listed will be contacted.
For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af
Candidates, who are currently holding UNDP or UN Agencies contracts, are asked to declare the type contract and duration, in their application”.
Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.