Closing date: Wednesday, 25 February 2015 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (PUBLIC PARTICIPATION) WITH UNDP Location : Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Closing date: Wednesday, 25 February 2015

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (PUBLIC PARTICIPATION) WITH UNDP

Location : Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Application Deadline : 25-Feb-15

Type of Contract : TA International

Post Level : P-3

Languages Required : English

Duration of Initial Contract : 10 months

Background

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Organizational Context

Afghanistan's justice system faces extraordinary challenges. Justice sector infrastructure has often been destroyed or damaged by fighting or decay during the years of conflict and a large number of Afghanistan's courthouses are in need of construction or rehabilitation. Legal professionals are very often the victims of violence by insurgent groups who target them as agents of the state. Threatening of justice officials, particularly in the less secure regions of the country is absolutely commonplace, and assassinations are very common. Corruption is a constant concern; judges and other justice system officials are poorly paid, justice system capacity to prosecute corruption is very limited, and corruption is perceived as rampant both within and outside the justice system. The Government of Afghanistan (GoA) and the international community are concerned about bolstering the credibility of the 'formal' justice system, recognizing that Afghanistan's traditional justice system plays a major role in resolving conflicts, yet does so at times in violation of national and international human rights obligations, particularly the rights of women.

Following continuous engagement in supporting Afghanistan's justice sector since 2002, UNDP Afghanistan's justice sector support has now entered a new phase. The Justice and Human Rights in Afghanistan (JHRA) Phase II Project draws on the lessons learned through previous UNDP justice projects - Strengthening the Justice System of Afghanistan (SJSA), Access to Justice at District Level (AJDL) and Justice and Human Rights Phase I.

The 1st phase of the JHRA Project was implemented from June 2009 - 30 June 2012. The project was designed to support the achievement of the priorities and benchmarks on human rights, rule of law and justice as highlighted in the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and the Afghanistan Compact. The JHRA project worked to improve access to justice at the national and provincial levels in Afghanistan. Programmatic interventions were undertaken by using a human rights based approach that simultaneously strengthened citizens' capacity to claim their rights and enhanced the capacity of justice delivery system actors to deliver justice in compliance with rule of law and human rights standards. The Project activities included raising awareness through training of justice officials and community members including school teachers and students, and the general public and villages throughout 11 districts in Afghanistan. It also engaged with the rehabilitation of district justice facilities and providing emergency infrastructure works and basic equipment so facilities can function. At the national level, the project assisted the three national justice institutions including; the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Supreme Court (SCt), and the Attorney General's Office (AGO) in strengthening their capacity so as to be able to better contribute to the justice reform process and the realization of human rights in Afghanistan.

The JHRA Phase II was initiated in January 2013. JHRA Phase II leverages on the work undertaken in Phase I and deepen the interventions at the national level and provincial levels and attempts to work across the justice sector, involving the rule of law service providers. The JHRA Phase II project represents four components of overall strategic support, and contributes in particular to the Afghan National Priority Plans (NPP) on Law and Justice for All (NPP 5) and Human Rights and Civic Responsibilities (NPP 6). JHRA Phase II seeks to increase trust in Afghan justice institutions as the necessary foundation and prerequisite for the re-establishment of state legitimacy. Without trust there is no State legitimacy and this becomes impossible for a government to guide a country through transition/transformation without conflict. The project assumes a comprehensive approach to trust-building composed of increasing service delivery and access to justice, in particular for the vulnerable groups, combined with the facilitation of the necessary political leadership; and balanced with structural and institutional mechanisms and safeguards to ensure sustainable transition and development. Similarly, support to justice sector service providers is balanced with support to ordinary people who would normally not be able to circumvent the current justice institutions and its mechanism to access justice, accountability, gain confidence in the formal justice institutions and gain trust in the State.

JHRA Phase II has four project outputs

Output 1: High-level coordination mechanisms for developing policy and legislation in accordance with international and national standards are established and functional in State justice institutions.

Output 2: Mechanisms for providing quality access to justice services to vulnerable groups are established and functional.

Output 3: Public participation processes and knowledge base for improving access to justice and human rights compliance established.

Output 4: Project Support Unit: Internal oversight, monitoring and evaluation capacity in place.

The JHRA Phase II project output 3 includes working on Public participation processes and knowledge base for improving access to justice and human rights compliances. This component has undertaken several important tasks since the inception of JHRA Phase II project. Some of the key efforts have been to undertake a study on Civil Dispute Resolution in Afghanistan and its Implications for the Draft Law on Dispute Resolution Shuras and Jirgas, and the Draft Policy on the Relations between the Formal Justice System and Dispute Resolution Councils. Currently capacity development and advocacy work is being undertaken. Further an innovative project is also being undertaken with street vendors on their legal rights with municipal corporations and other government and non-governmental organizations. Also under this component a public legal aware activity is undertaken across several provinces. The component will be guided and supervised under the leadership of the Public Participation and Knowledge Management Expert who will also officiate as the component manager of output 3. The person will report directly to the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and be part of the project management team of JHRA.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Summary of key functions will include

• Undertake day to day supervision and mentoring of staff of output 3;
• Lead technical support on three substantive areas under this component;
• Undertake research and coordination to identify strategic direction in this component based on the overall project framework.

Undertake day to day supervision and mentoring of staff of output 3

• Undertake day to day supervision of staff and activities based on AWP for output 3. The activities would include administrative affairs, financial disbursements, coordinate human resource management, lead in technical and substantive aspects to achieve results;
• Develop work plans, terms of reference (TOR) etc in consultation with relevant persons from partner originations. Prior to development of the work plans, the same will be discussed with the team members and with the CTA in a consultative manner before finalization;
• Participate in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports and organize, correspondingly, monthly, quarterly and annual progress reviews;
• Monitor project progress against annual and quarterly work plans and budgets;
• Prepare donor briefings and reports in accordance with UNDP reporting requirements and coordinate with CTA to provide regular reporting and mobilize the resources necessary for the support of the component;
• Lead technical aspects in managing calls for bids and for proposals and selection of implementing partners within the UNDP contractual framework for project activity implementation. Design the scope of works and TORs for the bids and call for proposals;
• Facilitate the recruitment of, and manage the team of staff who will collaborate in the implementation of component 3; Manage performance of consultants and specialist advisers;
• Undertake preparation of project implementation activities, selection of implementing partners, (service providers and NGOs);
• Support CTA in mobilizing resources to support the achievement of project outputs and outcomes;
• Perform other tasks as required.

Lead technical support on three substantive areas under this component

• Facilitating national and sub-national discussions and policy dialogues on legal empowerment for the poor especially the street vendor's project;
• Coordinate with national and international stakeholders to highlight the key areas of the legal empowerment of the poor project;
• Based on stakeholder and expert level discussions identify entry points and way forward for the street vendor's project and other initiatives in legal empowerment for the poor;
• Undertake advocacy work, presentations to stakeholders and donors on the findings of the research study on Civil Dispute Resolution in Afghanistan;
• Attend and make contributions on JHRA's work at all national and international coordination forums;
• Strengthen the public's awareness of human rights and the role of the justice system through the MoJ Legal Awareness Unit, civil society organizations and media institutions;
• Identify opportunities to enhance team-work within the component and across other components, UNDP projects in the Rule of Law Cluster to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support;
• Coordinate with all UN interventions and identify areas where harmonization can be undertaken for coordination and implementation of joint activities.

Strategic direction, coordination and research in the component based on the overall project framework

• Organize institutional development programmes for key government, civil society agencies and media;
• Undertake global best practice research and prepare briefing notes on comparative legal analysis on legislations and policy documents for stakeholder;
• Make presentations on the legal comparative analysis for stakeholders where necessary;
• Advise, supervise and prepare communication products and services for output 3 and engage in coordination with all other project components to prevent duplication of knowledge management products;
• Contribute to the production reports and publications, and serve as peer reviewer;
• A newsletter maybe developed on key issues in public participation and knowledge management in access to justice and justice sector institutions;
• Brochures, publications, press releases may be coordinated with all project components, communications personnel of UNDP and JHRA.

Scope of work Expected results/Deliverables/deadlines

• Ensure contribution and continuation of work on legal empowerment of the poor in informal labour economy and community dispute resolutions including entry points for land rights issues for the poor and indigent;
• Coordinate and ensure JHRA's contributions in legislative and policy formulation are well reflected in national documents;
• Ensure coordination and facilitation of Public Legal Awareness Board at Ministry of Justice and activation of Action Plan on legal awareness of MoJ;
• Provide support to CTA on external coordination and donor relations;
• Ensure timely submission of reports and documents.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Project implementation experience with the UN system a strong asset;
• Strong organizational and reporting skills;
• Results oriented, strong team player with outstanding interpersonal and coordination skills;
• Ability to work independently;
• Strong managerial competency with experience in results based management and results oriented approach to project implementation;
• Ability to establish substantive professional relationships with all stakeholders;
• Familiarity with post-conflict environments is an asset.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• 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 provide top quality policy advice;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Good interpersonal and diplomacy skills that allow for working productively as part of a larger team;
• Ability to use critical thinking, conceptualize ideas, and articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Ability to communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Knowledge of institution building, legal empowerment for the poor, economic social cultural rights and MDGs;
• sector;
• Ability to evaluate national and international political issues especially in conflict and post conflict countries;
• Proven track record and ability to produce concise and easy to understand strategy papers on complex issues from institutional perspective;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with decision-makers and beneficiaries to develop productive partnerships and excellent networking skills.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software;
• Proficiency with Online communication, including Skype, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master`s degree or equivalent in Law, Political Science, International Development Studies or other relevant field.

Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant national/international work experience in rule of law and justice sector reforms;
• Experience in legal drafting;
• In-depth knowledge of programming on UNDP's global best practices in rule of law and justice/ human rights projects in conflict and post conflict countries;
• Technical and practical expertise on UNDP programming work, especially in creating programming and planning materials and documents is desirable;
• A range of experience working with United Nations, government, multilateral agencies and civil society organizations;
• Ability to work with external donor relations and funding partners;
• Work experience in Afghanistan or in other conflict, post conflict countries will be an asset;
• Experience in working on innovative areas in law and justice;
• Experience in legal drafting;
• Experience in developing knowledge products;
• Experience in working with multilateral organizations, civil society organizations in diverse areas especially at local and international levels;
• Experience in projects and programme implementation on rule of law in conflict and post conflict countries;
• Experience on UNDP projects; familiarity with UNDP rule of law projects, guiding documents and mandate in rule of law and justice

Language

• Excellent knowledge of English and ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English;
• Working knowledge of Dari, Pashto is a strong asset.

Note

• Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcement and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form)
• Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.
• For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af
• Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment.
• Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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.