Justice and Corrections Project Manager Full Time

BACKGROUND

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP Somalia, jointly with UNSOM, supports the Government, the judiciary and partners to promote the Rule of Law and Somali’s access to justice and security.

Given the complexity of the national context and lessons learned from previous justice programmes, a new generation joint Justice and Corrections Programme for 2023 – 2027, has been approved by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA), Federal Government Somalia, UNDP, UNSOM and UNODC.

The formal justice sector remains weak and lacks sufficient institutional capacity at all levels and in all parts of the justice chain to provide a realistic pathway to justice for most people for the foreseeable future. At the same time, the continuing security challenges have hindered programming in many areas of the country.

The new Programme will use innovative programming that is adaptive and flexible to reflect the challenges of rule of law development in Somalia, and:

• Apply the politically informed Rule of Law Strategy, including the adoption of a three-tiered (political, institutional and community) approach;
• Take a systems approach to support the justice chain linking with other relevant programmes, including police reform, corrections, stabilization, and local government support; and
• Focus on evidence-gathering and feedback loops to allow for responsiveness to a complex and evolving political environment through an adaptive programming approach.

The new Programme shifts emphasis from statebuilding to peacebuilding, focusing on re-establishing strong, inclusive, social and political relationships. The focus on institution-building will shift towards building a rule of law culture as a necessary pre-condition to institution-building, including a Somali Justice and Corrections Model which best reflects the aspirations of Somali people, recognising the unique challenges of their context and the limitations of resources and physical access.

The programme will be people-centred, and apply methodologies and innovative approaches such as

Generative Dialogue (building on the ‘community conversations’ on justice, security and land issues under the previous programmes). The Programme will pilot the use of Generative Dialogue as a method of empowering individuals and communities to shape the institutional structures that support fair and effective dispute resolution.

Given lack of trust in the formal justice system, the new Programme will focus more strongly on the methods that strengthen legitimacy of the justice system.

The Programme will function at the political, institutional and community levels with strategic crossover linking each element together.

Overall cross cutting approaches will:

• Be people-centred, and especially gender-responsive and promote women’s access to justice
• Promote Enhanced learning and knowledge base to support evidence-based and adaptive approaches to programming
• Be Area Based
• Apply adaptive management/programming through a number of methods, including a phased and iterative approach, the use of pilots and ongoing needs assessments to inform activity design.

UNDP supports the Somali authorities and civil society in all these important and complex projects, promoting structural reforms and human rights-based and people-centered approaches. UNDP and UNSOM are implementing joint projects in the area of rule of law within the framework and spirit of the Global Focal Point for Rule of Law (GFP), including with other entities such as UNODC and the Team of Experts on Sexual Violence in Conflict. UNDP remains the lead entity for ensuring – and managing – resource mobilization for projects, in an increasingly difficult context for fundraising given the current global and national context.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

It is in this context that UNDP Somalia is recruiting a Justice and Corrections project manager to implement the justice and corrections project and related components of the Rule of Law portfolio.

Key duties and accountabilities include:

Policy and Technical advice:

• Provide policy advice on the ongoing justice and corrections reforms and people-centred approaches, and ensure the optimal design, sequencing and implementation of activities necessary for enhancing Somalis access to justice.
• Prepare policy briefs, strategic and concept notes on justice and corrections issues in collaboration with MoJCA, UNSOM and UNODC.
• Identify, discuss and share with national partners from the state and civil society the international best practices on implementation of people-centred justice and corrections reforms and enhancing people’s access to services.
• Technical support in designing national policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks to enhance the quality of justice and corrections services.
• Support the positioning of UNDP Somalia as an operational thought leader and in the justice and corrections domain jointly with UNSOM, to national partners as well as the international community/donors.

Project Management:

• In consultation with UNDP, UNODC, UNSOM and other colleagues as applicable, develop annual work plans and execute programme activities, applying results-based management tools and adaptive management approaches.
• Ensure adherence to the programme work plan in line with the Project Document, and overall Rule of Law portfolio, and ensure synergies with other donor funded initiatives focused on justice and corrections and the broader Rule of Law.
• Establish and maintain sound partnerships with the Somali authorities and partners, donors and other strategic partners; and continuously liaise with programme partners and donors to harness political, technical and financial support to the justice and corrections sectors.
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders according to the agreed management arrangements.
• Prepare regular progress reports in line with reporting schedule, as well as any other reports requested by UNDP, donors, Government and or other stakeholders.
• Monitor the project expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the programme budget lines, and draft programme budget revisions in accordance and cooperation with UNDP’s QUANTUM system including the reporting on programme funds and related record keeping.
• Ensure timely recruitment and procurement of quality services and equipment and also implementation of programme activities in line with applicable rules, regulation and standards.
• Represent the programme at the Steering Committee meetings, technical meetings and other appropriate fora in coordination with UNDP.

Partnership, Communications and Resource Mobilization:

• Strengthen and/or develop new partnerships with civil society and/or non-governmental/ community-based organizations; local communities and other potential allies to enhance project quality and achieve and deliver the outputs and activities.
• Establish and maintain sound partnerships with the Government, donors and other strategic partners.
• Ensure that project implementation is closely coordinated with UNSOM, stakeholders and that a high level of collaboration and cooperation is in place at the national, Federal Member State and local/community levels.
• Liaise with other relevant government actors and partners/stakeholders, as well as UN/DP colleagues regarding the project, including to share information about trends, issues and results, to coordinate and utilize resources effectively and efficiently.
• Proactively identify potential sources of funding and assist in resource mobilisation for the project expansion/future phases through development of concept notes and funding proposals to the potential donors and promoting project deliverables at the relevant development platforms.
• Ensure regular communication on project results, including producing communication products and visibility on social media.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• Supervising and managing the justice and corrections project team in Mogadishu and FMS for optimal delivery and team spirit, of both international/national staff and consultants as applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Law, International Relations and/or other social sciences.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in one of the fields related to justice and corrections sector reform applying people-centered approaches, as well as the rule of law in general.
• Proven experience in joint programmes (and Global Focal Point approaches) and promoting women’s access to justice would assets.
• Have a strong capacity for technical consultation and facilitation of national and international networks.
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of justice-related programs and projects, including the supervision of technical staff.
• Ability to sustain a positive work attitude and be solution oriented.
• Previous work experience with the United Nations (preferably UNDP) at the strategic, programmatic and technical levels, particularly in a crisis or post-crisis context is a major advantage.
• Ability to work in an institutional setting with high-level officials as well as with civil society organizations and local level leaders.

Language Requirements: 

• Proficiency in oral and written English is required.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• 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

People Management Competencies: 

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Programme and Policy: Effectiveness

• Programming (PPM) policies and procedures

Business Direction & Strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and 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 what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP

Business Management: Resource Management

• Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity

Business Management: Partnerships Management

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

Business Management: Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management: Results-based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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Tagged as: Somalia, UNDP