Project Description
Although the Bissau-Guinean Constitution is founded on democratic principles like sovereignty of the people, rule of law, separation of powers, and human rights, governance in Guinea-Bissau faces significant hurdles. These include political instability since independence, remnants of centralized colonial governance, and ongoing political-military dynamics, lack of integral access to justice services, especially women. In a context of fragility and continued political instability, there is, for now, no common and nationally owned vision towards people-centred justice sector reform and the required capacity.
To address the development challenges and specifically improve access to justice for the population, the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Guinea-Bissau, as a key government partner in governance, has been actively designing and implementing projects across various governance- related areas, including rule of law, electoral support, and human rights.
In this sense, UNDP Guinea- Bissau is leading a project supported by EU aiming to root justice reforms in the lived realities of Bissau-Guineans, enhancing their access to justice, and to foster full ownership by all justice sector stakeholders—state actors, civil society, and traditional systems—for transformative, sustainable improvements in access to justice and the rule of law.
Within this context UNDP is recruiting a Chief of Technical Advisor (CTA) to provide strategic advice and management to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the agreed activities while achieving all objectives set out in the project document, ensuring coherence of approaches and results.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Deputy Representative- Programme and the Guidance of the Governance Head of Team, the CTA, who will be partly based at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Building, will provide expert and strategic advice to the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders on all aspects related with the project implementation.
She/He entrusted with providing policy advice, strategic technical guidance, leadership; and supports legal and policy reform for increased efficiency and alignment with international human rights standards; support donor coordination and liaison for the justice sector; supports resource mobilization and undertake advocacy. The CTA will also be entrusted with creating the synergies to revitalize and/further developed knowledge networks in the practice area.
The CTA will work very closely with the Ministry of Justice and other Justice Sector pillar institutions’ personnel engaged in Project implementation.
The incumbent is also accountable for the operational management and delivery of the project components.
The successful candidate will have the following specific responsibilities:
1.Provide expertise and advice to the Ministry of Justice, on all aspects related with the Justice Sector, including institutional strategic planning and coordination mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation:
Thorough quality analysis of the governance, political, socio-economic situation of the country, with focus on the justice sector, propose strategic approaches on reform implementation, including definition of baselines, benchmarking and priorities; Provide ongoing strategic planning and management advice to the Ministry of Justice and relevant designated senior ministerial staff; Develop institutional mechanisms, methodologies and system for an efficient justice sector wide planning and coordination of reform implementation at national and decentralized levels, inclusive to all key stakeholders and development partners; Develop an exhaustive M&E framework, with accurate data, baselines and statistics and SMART indicator to monitor the implementation of the project; Design and propose a financial sustainability strategy for the implementation of the Justice Sector Reform in Guinea-Bissau. This implies annual planning with costing analysis linked to the national financial budgetary framework; Provide planning and budgeting tools and strategic advice and capacity development for the National Planning/Budget Directorate and oversight support for planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the justice programme; Skills transfer and capacity development in the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders on justice sector reforms implementation and selected thematic areas, trainings, briefing and study sessions, etc.; Promote South-South cooperation, including by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, skills, and resources; Integrate and promote human rights-based approach to rule of law, ensure mainstreaming of initiatives for the promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality through all interventions;2.Design, advise and develop policy/options papers and project proposals based on the Justice Sector Reform Program to enable its implementation:
Lead and guide the Ministry and key justice sector institutions and stakeholders in the formulation of catalytic proposals and projects that can accelerate the rule of law and access to Justice; Under the Ministers’ guidance support coordination of donor assistance to the Sector, undertake effective workplace planning and develop a Performance Framework for the implementation of the National Integrated Justice initiatives and UNDP support programs; Provide strategic advice in the formulation, implementation, and revision of the project work plans and related budgets; Expert advice in the formulation, implementation and quality oversight of the new UNDP programs and projects in relation to the Justice sector; Advice and coordinate on integrated support to the national programme in regards to the larger UN support, including through the Global Focal Point arrangement for the Rule of Law. Institutionalize and maintain donor intelligence, strategic partnership and resource mobilization of which the objectives will focus on the following: Establishment of the framework of scanning donors’ new aid environment to determine areas of priorities for the Justice Sector Reform with particular reference to institutional development, based on defined priority areas; Development and implementation of partnerships for effective resource mobilization to achieve programme outcomes; Establishment and coordination of partnerships with UN agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, government institutions, organized private sector, CSOs and other stakeholders; Critical contribution to the Justice Sector Working Group and bridging the potential gap between the government and development partners.; Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and identification of opportunities for cost-sharing; Contribution to the establishment of cooperation and inter-change between different Justice Institutions in the country and key national and international stakeholders.3.Ensures and advises on effective implementation of resources mobilized for the project and achievement of the following result:
Undertakes advocacy and information and results-based reporting focusing on: Facilitation of the process of creating and raising the level of awareness on issues emerging in the Justice sector; Creating high-level advocacy on pertinent development policies and programmes in relation to the justice sector across the representatives of top echelon of the country’s stakeholders; Determining appropriate media of reaching out to the public and design strategies for reaching the targets; Key contributions to quality documentation of good sector practices, international knowledge and comparative experiences in the Justice Sector; Successes and best practices generated and communicated, with the aim of informing the national-level policy and political dialogue in the justice sector; Advice UNDP on significant policy measures undertaken by the Government of Guinea- Bissau in the field of justice; Contribute to UN/UNDP results-based reporting on global knowledge networks in the field of Justice Sector Reform. Any other duties requested by the management of the Governance unitInstitutional Arrangement
The incumbent will work as part of the Governance Team. He/she will work under the guidance of the Governance Team Leader and the direct supervision of the UNDP/ DRRP
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional& Technical
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction and Strategy
Strategic ThinkingAbility to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risksand opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model whatfuture
developments and possible ways forward looklike for UNDP
Business Direction and Strategy
Negotiation and InfluenceAbility to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable
solutions through compromise and creates 'win-win' situations
Business development
Integration within UNAbility to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work;
knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
Business Direction & Strategy
System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the systemBusiness Management
Results-based Management Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable resultsBusiness Management
Portfolio ManagementAbility to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the
maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
2030 Agenda: Peace
Rule of Law, Security and
Human Rights
Rule of law, Justice and securityRequired Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements
Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) in law, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences or other related fields; or A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree equivalent) in the related fields with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree Additional qualifications on human rights and/or policy and strategic planning will be an added advantage.Min. yearsof relevant work experience
Min.10 years (with Master’s degree) or 12 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at national and international level in providing high level advisory services in the justice sector and managing justice sector programmes;Required skills
High-level planning, facilitation, communication and capacity development skills with a demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge and skills in a complex institutional environment. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office package such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Zoom and Skype is required. In-depth understanding of international development issues and practices, and practical experience of working with development partners at a senior level; Demonstrates experience in applying human rights-based approaches and promotion of gender equality; Team-building skills and proven abilityto work with diverse groups and to facilitate dialogue.Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Program expertise and Management: Knowledge on managing Program on governance, rule of law, peacebuilding and human rights project. Experience in working with stakeholders in public sector development programs especially in capacity development is an asset. Experience working in aculturally diverse environment. Experience working with the UN is an asset. Experience in implementing EU funded projects would be an asset. Experience in implementing and/or managing UN supported national justice sector reform processes; Good communication skills and experience Knowledge of UNDP procedures is an asset Past work experience with a UN agency and/or international organization in Guinea Bissau is considered an asset.Required Language(s)
Fluency in Portuguese and English is required
Disclaimer
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP 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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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