Legal Governance Consultant

Organization: UN WOMEN
Type of Contract:  SSA Contract
Number of vacant posts: 1
Starting date: 20 June, 2011
Contract duration: 3 months

Main Duties and Responsibilities:
In 2007, through a project funded by the Government of Italy, a pilot, national, specialized service "Mehwar Center for the protection and empowerment of women and families" was inaugurated. The Centre addresses the phenomenon of Violence Against Women  (VAW) in a comprehensive way, working in parallel on the levels of prevention with the community, protection of women and children victims of violence through sheltering and specialized counselling services, and women victims' empowerment and qualified reintegration in the society. Mehwar Center, which operates under the umbrella of the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), is the first anti-violence centre in the occupied Palestinian territory adopting international human rights standards. The project is being currently executed by UN Women in partnership with the MoSA, as institutional counterpart, and with Differenza Donna as technical assistance partner.

Under the overall supervision of UN WOMEN oPt Head of Office and the direct supervision of the Women Human Rights Unit (WHRU) Project Manager, UN WOMEN wishes to bring on board a Legal Governance Consultant, who will undertake the following duties and responsibilities related to the Mehwar Centre project:

-To review current governance structures and legal status of Mehwar;
-To regularly meet with Mehwar, MoSA, UN Women and Differenza Donna to identify most suitable options for Mehwar governance structure and mechanisms of implementation, taking into consideration the nature of the Centre, applying human rights standards and a human rights-based approach, while highlighting advantages and disadvantages of each option, from a legal perspective;
-To consult with Mehwar Consultative Committee chaired by MoSA;
-To call for meetings, as relevant;
-To prepare advisory report on the above findings and present the report to UN Women, and other partners as discussed and agree upon with UN Women;
-To address, into the advisory report, comments shared by UN Women and other partners, as discussed and agreed upon with UN Women;
-Upon final decision with regard to Mehwar Centre Governance structure, as agreed by MoSA and

Mehwar, to revise the existing Mehwar Centre by-laws in the sole section related to Mehwar Governance structure and mechanisms, ensuring that sustainability of Mehwar is at the core of the revised by-laws, governance structure and mechanisms;
-To share first draft of the revised by-laws with UN Women, MoSA and other partners as discussed and agreed upon with UN Women;
-To submit and present final draft of the revised by-laws to UN Women, MoSA, Mehwar and Differenza Donna, taking into consideration, as appropriate, comments provided.

Qualifications and Experience

-University degree in Law. Master degree in administration of organizations will be considered an asset;
-Senior experience in legal organizational analysis and legal profession;
-At least 3 years experience in VAW issues,
-Knowledge and understanding of the Palestinian context, particularly of the existing legal and judiciary system;
-Understanding of and ability to apply a gender sensitive approach;
-Knowledge of international Human Rights standards, with particular reference to women's rights and protection;
-Computer literacy;
-Excellent written and spoken Arabic;
-Fluent in English.

Deliverables:
-First draft advisory report, in Arabic, on options for Mehwar Governance structure;
-Final draft advisory report, taking into consideration UN Women comments and other partners comments, as agreed upon with UN Women;
-First draft of the revised by-laws related to Mehwar Governance structure and mechanisms of implementation, in Arabic;
-Final draft of the revised by-laws, taking into consideration comments to the first draft.

Corporate Competencies:
-Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
-Promotes the vision and mission of UN Women;
-Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Other skills

-Strong motivation to work in the field of promoting women human rights, deep understanding of women's environments and needs;

-Propensity and ability to team-work in the sense of:
a-Sharing information
b-Developing joint analysis and apply a participatory approach
c-Being capable to best use each partner’s professionalism and experience for drafting a sustainable governance structure of Mehwar and mechanisms of implementation

-Strong diplomatic and communication skills;
-Ability to elaborate and finalize innovative legal practices to best serve women's needs;
-Professionalism and flexibility.

 HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates will submit their CV by and no later than 15 June, 2011 via email
 

to UN Women, subject “Legal Governance Consultant”.