UN Women: Human Rights, Gender and Legal Expert Consultant

UN Women: HUMAN RIGHTS, GENDER AND LEGAL EXPERT, CONSULTANT (locally recruited).

Location : occupied Palestinian territory (West Bank)
Number of posts:1
 
Application Deadline : 05/06/2012
Languages Required :Arabic and English 

Duration of Initial Contract :6 months

Expected Duration of Assignment: Possibility of extension

Background
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.
UN Women oPt, in line with the Palestinian Authority commitment to fight Violence Against Women (VAW) as set in the National Strategy to Combat VAW, approved by the Palestinian Cabinet in January, 2011; in full partnership with the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) advised by the EUPOL COPPS mission; within the framework of DFID-funded project "SUPPORT FOR DELIVERY OF SECURITY AND JUSTICE SERVICES FOR WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE", is supporting the process of institutionalization and capacity development of the PCP Family Protection Units (FPU). Between November 2011 and March 2012, UN Women launched a first phase of the project, which focused on drafting a strategy, minimum standard guidelines (MSGs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the FPUs.
The second phase of the project, between June and December 2012, will focus on institutionalization of these products, as well as the development of key tools for implementing the three cornerstone documents (Strategy, SOP and MSG); provision of support to PCP/FPU Human Resources; FPU Training; development of a detailed FPU implementation plan; and piloting FPU/Victim Support Centre models. The second phase will feature the following:
a) Institutionalization of FPU strategy, MSG and SOP products, through SOP workshop, refinement of Strategy document, MSG, SOP, and presentation of Strategy, MSG and SOP to external multi-agency partners.
b) Development of key tools for implementing the SOP. 
c) Technical support in relation to Human Resources (HR).
d) Input into training program and material developed as well as provide mentoring role for trainers.
e) Develop a detailed development and implementation plan with the FPU (capacity building activity).
f) Pilot of the FPU/Victim Support Centre model in three locations.
g) Develop and implement an FPU case management system.
h) Provide technical support in the development and implementation of an FPU data base.
i) Develop and implement a Monitoring and Evaluation framework that measures human rights outcomes, cultural/work practice change outcomes and the effectiveness of strategy etc.
The outputs as outlined above will be the framework that will enhance the institutional capacity of the police to manage, monitor and act to protect women and girls from GBV, promote the needs of both male and female police officers and the overall mainstreaming of gender concerns within the police institution.
Furthermore, “the Human Rights, Gender and Legal Expert” Consultant will provide expert assistance in the development of operating procedures for prosecutors as well as in the development of the capacity development programmes for prosecutors and judges.
Duties and Responsibilities
The “Institutionalization of FPU strategy, minimum standards guidelines (MSGs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs) and development of FPU processes and practices consulting team” will be composed of consultants with expertise on human rights and gender mainstreaming, institutional development and human resource issues and training / capacity building of the police. Consultants in the team will take the lead for the various focus areas and will provide assistance/backup in other areas.
The consulting team will work under the overall supervision of UN Women oPt Special Representative and the direct supervision of the Women Human Rights Unit Project Manager, in close partnership and daily consultation and coordination with Head of FPU and with FPU staff assigned by Head of FPU, as well as in consultation with other PCP staff and the EUPOL COPPS mission and other actors – specifically part of the justice system - relevant to the processes undertaken. The consulting team will be led by the leading consultant. The consultants will report regularly to UN Women and to the Head of FPU.
Building on existing structure of PCP / FPUs and on the overall structure of the PCP; and coordinating efforts with the team working on finalization of FPUs strategy, organizational structure and job descriptions, the  human rights, gender and legal expert will undertake the following tasks, duties and responsibilities:

-Provide expert advice to the consulting team and to UN Women on the application of a gender sensitive approach, with particular reference to VAW, and on Human Rights-based approach throughout the activities of the FPU Strategy Implementation plan, as well as the work with prosecutors and judges; 
-Revise from a gender sensitive perspective all documents produced ensuring that all documents are engendered and that a human rights-based approach is adopted throughout;
-Contribute to the organization and coordination of the consultant team work and regularly meet and communicate, together with the other consultants, UN Women and key stakeholders; 
-Adopt a culturally sensitive and inclusive approach while ensuring buy-in of the institutional counterparts of a gender-sensitive and human rights-based approach;

-In addition to other duties as agreed upon with the other consultants and UN Women, to focus upon the following aspects of 6 core activities of the FPU Strategy Implementation Plan:


Activity 1: Institutionalize FPU Strategy, Standard Operating Procedures and Minimum Standard Guidelines.
-To develop the materials for a 3 day workshop with the FPU/PCP, EUPOL COPPS and the prosecution service to achieve consensus around the contents of the Standard Operating Procedures;
-To participate in the workshop;
-To amend the Standard Operating Procedures to reflect the workshop input;
-To support the activities of the other consultants in institutionalizing the FPU Strategy, Standard Operating Procedures and Minimum Standard Guidelines including refining the Strategy and MSG with key stakeholders and presenting all three documents in workshops to multi-agency Government and non-Government partners.

Activity 2: Develop key tools for implementing the SOP.
-To develop, together with the other consultants, a package of “essential tools” for FPU casework, being those referred to in the SOP (including, but not limited to complaints form, criteria for public crimes, complaint withdrawal forms, human rights outcome assessment forms, etc.);
-To pilot and finalize the draft “essential tools” and have them endorsed for use by the FPU. 

Activity 3: To Provide Human Resources Support to the FPU/PCP.
To support the activities of the other two consultants in developing an organizational chart standardized position descriptions, recruitment criteria and recruitment support to the FPU/PCP.

-Activity 4: To Support Development and Delivery of Training Program to the FPU (Basic, Expert and Leadership Training).
-To provide consultant team inputs to the FPU Training Program; 
-To support the international trainers in ensuring that the delivery of the training program is in line with the FPU Strategy, Standard Operating Procedures and Minimum Standard Guidelines;
-To participate directly in delivery of training sessions as agreed (along with the Lead Consultant).
-Activity 5: To develop a detailed FPU Development and Implementation Plan.
-To have input into the development of a detailed FPU Development and Implementation Plan with key stakeholders (FPU/PCP and EUPOL COPPS);
-To support the work of the other consultants in preparing and finalizing the plan with key stakeholders.
-Activity 6: To develop Pilot FPU/Victim Support Centre models in 3 locations
-To play a supportive role to other consultants in developing an agreed vision and plan for the establishment of victim support centres between the FPU and the shelters, including establishing criteria for later evaluation of their effectiveness and results;
-To participate in developing and drafting agreements between the FPU and women’s shelters;
-To participate in developing and drafting policies and procedures for the running of the victim support centres;
-To support the other 2 consultants in working with the FPUs and shelters to achieve implementation of the plan and functionality of the victim support centres.
-Activity 7:
-To develop SOP for prosecutors, in a participatory way ensuring ownership and participating to workshops for the finalization of product;
-To finalize product as per workshop inputs;
-To support in the institutionalization of the prosecutors SOPs;
-To support in the development of a capacity development programme for judges and for prosecutors.     
 
Key deliverables:
Revised SOP, MSG and criminal laws guidelines, in line with workshop inputs;
“Essential Tools” for FPU case management;
SOPs for prosecutors;
Agreements between FPU and organizations / institutions hosting the “Victim Support Centres”; 
Criteria for the FPU monitoring (to be included in the monitoring system);
Draft policies and procedures guideline for operation of Victim Support Centres.

Competencies
CORE VALUES / GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
-Integrity: Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
-Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity: Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity.
 
CORE COMPETENCIES:
-Ethics and Values: Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;
-Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
-Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring: Initiative-taking; coaching and mentoring ability;
-Working in Teams: Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
-Communicating Information and Ideas: Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
-Self-management and Emotional intelligence: Creating synergies through self-control;
-Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements: Managing conflict;
-Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning: Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of other.
 
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:
-Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women's rights and related instruments;
-Proven ability to work in the field of gender sensitive policing and protection of gender based violence victims in conflict and post-conflict situations;
-Proven ability to liaise with a variety of stakeholders and partners, including government and international organizations;
-Ability to work as a member of a team;
-Demonstrated experience in timely delivering of high-quality products and in managing complex processes within the security sector;
-Track record of advisory work to police family units;
-Ability in drafting high-quality gender sensitive standard operating procedures for police;
-Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
-Results oriented, flexible and problem solving skills;
-Strong analytical, dialogue, consultation and communication skills;
-Maturity, ability to take decisions under pressure and ability to deal with matters that are politically or culturally sensitive.
 
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
Advanced University studies in Human Rights, criminology, law, sociology or related discipline.
 
Experience:
-At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in gender sensitive Police reform and track record of work for the establishment of police units for the protection of women and children;
-Extensive professional experience in the area of gender based and sexual violence;
-Previous professional experience in relevant field(s) in international settings required;
-Proven understanding and working experience in development of gender sensitive police SOPs;
-Ability to interact with governmental agencies, good interpersonal skills and organizational proficiency;
-Knowledge of the Security Sector in the occupied Palestinian territory will be an added advantage;
-Experience with UN Agencies on security sector will be an advantage.
 
Language Requirements:
-Excellent communication and drafting skills and fluent in English (comprehension, written, and spoken);
-Communication skills in Arabic will be an added advantage.  
 
Submission of application:
Interested candidates must submit up to date comprehensive curriculum vitae to the following email address     [email protected] later than 05/06/2012, indicating in the Subject line: “HUMAN RIGHTS, GENDER AND LEGAL EXPERT, CONSULTANT”.
UN Women will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.