Le PNUD recrute un Spécialiste de l’État de droit, Banjul, Gambie

The Gambia has had a successful transition from 22 years of authoritarian rule to an embryonic democratic dispensation. During the past 22 years of authoritarian regime, justice institutions were systematically manipulated to preserve the regime in power. Justice delivery has been slow and there has been a marked deficit in access to justice for the population as well as very limited state support mechanisms or legal aid services available for victims, and defendants. This has reinforced the public’s lack of confidence in the system. Building an inclusive and effective justice system based on the rule of law and human rights is requisite for a stable democracy and sustaining peace in The Gambia. Such a justice system will contribute to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 16 aimed at promoting a peaceful and inclusive society for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Legal reform and  the strengthening of the justice system is  necessary to re-establish standards and procedures, to enhance the capacity, accountability and oversight of the judiciary and justice institutions in line with basic principles of independence of the judicial process, to ensure fair justice service delivery to all Gambians, in particular women and children, and to deal with the past and address grievances and prepare the future to build democracy based on rule of law and human rights. To consolidate democratic governance in The Gambia, the Government in its 2018-2021 National Development Plan (NDP) identified governance as a key priority for reform to assure the durability of peace, transitional justice, and reconciliation. The new administration embarked on several reform initiatives including national reconciliation, constitutional review, and security sector reform.

In December 2017, The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was established by an Act of the National Assembly to investigate and establish an impartial historical record of human rights violations that occurred in The Gambia between July 1994 and January 2017 under former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule, grant interim reparations to victims of abuses, recommend persons for prosecution and amnesty, and promote national reconciliation. The TRRC concluded its work and submitted its Final Report to the President in November 2021. Public, particularly victims’, expectations remain high that the final recommendations of the TRRC address their needs and will be implemented by the Government in a timely and comprehensive manner, to achieve justice, including gender-justice, promote national reconciliation and sustainable peace in The Gambia.

The PBF has approved a joint UNDP and OHCHR post-TRRC Project for The Gambia.  The project aims to support the transitional justice process with special focus on the recommendations of the TRRC, as well as those coming from civil society, and an overall objective of continuing the process of successful, peaceful democratic transition in The Gambia.  The project is expected to support the Government of The Gambia to create awareness of and improve capacities to implement recommendations made by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) using a consultative and participatory approach involving key national institutions such as the Police, Judiciary, National Human Rights Commission, and civil society organizations, with a special focus on victims’ and women’s organizations.

Under the supervision of the Criminal Justice/Prosecutions Specialist (Project Coordinator), and in close collaboration with the wider Governance Programme, the Rule of Law Specialist will provide policy advice to the relevant counterparts, support implementation of the post-TRRC Project and liaise with UN Agencies, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society on transitional justice and rule of law.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Provide policy advice and strategic direction to the Country Office (CO)
2. Provide support to the management, and implement the post-TRRC project
3. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts, especially on Rule of Law initiatives
4. Strengthen knowledge management
5. Monitor and report on rollout of national reform agenda relating to transitional justice and rule of law in particular.

1. Provides strategic direction and leadership on rule of law-related programming, on the implementation of the post-TRRC Project. To this end, the selected candidate will undertake the following:

• Advise UNDP Gambia country programme on strategies and responses to changes in the country context vis-à-vis the rule of law;
• Manage and provide strong leadership for UNDP CO staff working in rule of law, and an overall strategic vision for all rule of law-related work with a view to building national capacities and strengthening the rule of law to support the overarching peace-building objective of the UN;
• Ensures the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, peace-building, and human rights into project design, monitoring and evaluation;
• Ensures regular monitoring and evaluation, including but not limited to, regular field visits and participation in Project Board and/or Technical Committee meetings;
• Manages and coordinates implementation of project vision, strategy, and objectives.

2. Support partnership building and resource mobilization for UNDP in rule of law, justice, and security:

• Identifies funding opportunities and endeavors to ensure sufficient resource mobilization for the programme in close consultation with Senior Management;
• Advocates for UNDP justice /rule of law work and represent UNDP Gambia with national authorities, UN agencies the donor community, and international financial institutions;
• Liaises regularly and forges close linkages with other UN programmes, agencies, and entities, as well as other international and national stakeholders concerned with or aiding justice/rule of law issues in The Gambia.

3. Promote UNDP’s mandate and corporate policy and provide policy advice to Government and other partners:

• Promotes justice and rule of law results, ensuring appropriate levels of visibility and public awareness on results and ongoing activities;
• Provides policy advice to UNDP Senior Management, Government counterparts, donors and other partners on issues related to justice and rule of law;
• Represents UNDP, as requested by the Resident Representative or Deputy Resident Representative.

4. Ensure knowledge management focusing on achieving the following results:

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project area for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information;
• Active participation in UNDP knowledge networks and taking advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available in the region and globally, and encouraging project staff to do so by creating a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Using and promoting the use of the Regional Service Center and integrating RSC expert advice in project design and implementation;
• Promotes the participation of UNDP Gambia in regional programmes and regional activities related to the project area as appropriate;
• Support to capacity and knowledge building of national counterparts.

5. Any other tasks that may be required.

The Rule of Law Specialist will report to the Criminal Justice/Prosecutions Specialist (Project Coordinator).

• 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

Business Management:

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals;
• Business Management: Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

2030 Agenda:

• Peace Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights
  • Development of Institutions in Justice Sector;
  • Justice and Security for Women including GBV;
  • Justice Sector Development;
  • Rule of Law, Justice and Security.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness

• Programming principles & standards and development effectiveness principles;
• Thematic evaluation management responses;
• System-wide approaches to strategic planning and results.

Business Management: Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships Zith Zide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Education:

• Masters’ degree preferably in law, political science, international studies, development studies or a related field. A first level university degree (Bachelors) in related field with additional two (2) years of relevant work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Experience:

• Minimum five years (Master’s degree) or seven years (Bachelor’s degree) of applied professional experience at national and/or international level in the field of security, justice, rule of law and human rights;
• Experience in mid-level management responsibilities of similar scope and complexity, working in providing strategic, analytical, technical support in project management and implementation of project activities;
• At least three (3) years of progressive experience in networking, partnership building and/or negotiations with senior government officials, development partners, and/or private contractors is desirable;
• Experience of work or collaboration with major actors/partners in rule of law, justice, development and/or humanitarian sector is desirable;
• Previous experience in project/programme Management in the same field of expertise is desirable;
• Previous experience with UNDP or sister agencies is desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).

Language Requirement

• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.