Human Rights and Social Protection Specialist - Jobs in Islamabad, Pakistan

Job Description

BackgroundÿDiversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ÿ we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ?leave no one behind? approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.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.Decentralization, Human Rights and Local Governance is a multi-sector project aimed at strengthening rights-based development, community stabilization, gender equality and social inclusion across all regions and provinces of Pakistan. The core objective of the project is to ensure inclusive and equitable service delivery by providing technical assistance and capacity development support to relevant federal ministries, provincial line departments, statutory bodies, civil-society and private sector organizations. A key aim is to support the creation of an enabling environment for accelerated access to rights, people centered justice and people centered security. The project is aimed at institution building while connecting with vulnerable and at-risk communities to build trust between rights holders and duty bearers, for inclusive, expeditious and transparent access to rights and services. The Project will work with key UN partner agencies including OHCHR, UNHCR, UNWOMEN, ILO and IOM in line with the One-UN strategy to leaving no-one behind. Key beneficiaries will include vulnerable and at-risk men, women, girls, transgender persons, persons with disabilities as well as marginalized and vulnerable populations in general. UNDP will leverage its partnerships with government, statutory bodies, private sector and civil-society stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels for the institutionalization of a rights-based approach to development across Pakistan.ÿDuties and ResponsibilitiesUnder the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of Decentralization, Human Rights and Local Governance Project (DHL), the Human Rights and Social Protection Specialist shall perform the following functions:Summary of Key Functions:

• Oversee the Social Inclusion and Gender Equality Component with a focus on rights of transgender persons, minorities, indigenous persons protection in line with Women, Peace and Security and key elements of the EU Human Rights Programme
• Coordinate DHL?s initiative on women, peace and security (WPS), including any cooperation with other UNDP Projects and relevant UN Agencies
• Provide specialized advice to the RCO in successfully convening the UN?s Human Rights Task Force (HRTF)
• Provide normative support to all DHL and CO Pakistan rights based interventions, particularly in the context of the upcoming EU Human Rights Programmeÿ

Oversee the Social Inclusion and Gender Equality Component with a focus on rights of transgender persons, minorities, indigenous persons protection in line with Women, Peace and Security and key elements of the EU Human Rights Programme:

• Engage civil society, human rights defenders and government counterparts to develop strategies for a comprehensive social protection programmes across target districts in Pakistan
• Initiate implementation of the Programme across Pakistan, subject to funding availability
• Coordinate DHL?s initiative on health governance, including the potential collaboration with the Global Fund to address stigma and discrimination against key populations
• Consult civil society and local organizations for community engagement and awareness on stigma and discrimination against key target populations
• Support UNDP?s multi-stakeholder engagement platforms to bridge the gap between rights holders and duty bearersÿ
• Coordinate the implementation of UNDP?s programme with human rights defenders in close coordination with OHCHR, and relevant national and sub-national government partners
• Coordinate the implementation of relevant gender (audit, empowerment, inclusion) activities in the EU Human Rights Programme

Coordinate DHL?s initiative on women, peace and security (WPS), including any cooperation with other UNDP Projects

• Lead project design, implementation, and reporting of DHL?s programmatic activities on WPS
• Support DHL?s resource mobilization efforts specifically targeting WPS programs
• Build and sustain strong relationships with national and international partners working on WPS
• Supervise, guide, and monitor technical partners supporting project activities to ensure quality and alignment with UNDP policies, procedures, and best practices
• Lead the drafting of high-quality documents including background documents, briefs, presentations, research papers for different audiences (project; Country Office; external stakeholders) as required
• Ensure visibility of DHL?s efforts through communications materials, blogs, advocacy and outreach materials

Provide specialized advice to the RCO in successfully convening the UN?s Human Rights Task Force (HRTF)

• Lead DHL?s technical assistance to the RCO for coordinating the work of the HRTF
• Review lessons learned of the four existing thematic groups (Gender Equality led by UN Women; Hate Speech led by UNESCO; Human Rights Institutions Strengthening led by UNDP; Right to Food led by FAO and WFP) since their inception and lead efforts at streamlining their functioning
• Convene meetings of the HRTF for the thematic groups and ad-hoc / standalone issues
• Lead technical assistance to support to RCO for coordination of relevant UNCT submissions (Universal Period Review; Treaty Body Reporting, etc)
• Maintain a repository of documents, knowledge products, and reports on human rights (including Pakistan-related content) from HRTF, OHCHR and other sources
• Carry out weekly media reviews related to the mandate areas of the four working groups and disseminate relevant articles/documents to concerned standing groups/agencies.
• Provide regular research and monitoring services to standing working groups on the implementation progress of human rights recommendations and commitments (e.g., UPR, treaty body reporting, voluntary pledges) related to their mandate area.ÿ
• Maintain a calendar of meetings for HRTF and Standing Working Groups, monitor progress of workplans, and ensure relevant human rights concerns, policies, and information on national developments are communicated across the UN HRTF system.
• Interface with OHCHR and facilitate its support to HRTF, especially regarding sharing information on UN human rights mechanisms, particularly Treaty Body documentation and UPR reporting.

Provide normative support to all DHL and CO Pakistan rights based interventions, particularly in the context of the upcoming EU Human Rights Programme

• The incumbent serve as a resource on EU Human Rights Provisions and Legislation and be well versed with the structures, mandates and interventions of EU Human Rights Institutionsÿ
• Provide support in coordination with relevant EU Human Rights Institutions and the adaptability of their best practices in the context of Pakistan
• Lead trainings of NHRIs and civil-society organisations on EU Best practices on human rightsÿ
• Support the exchange of best practices between relevant EU Human Rights Actors and Pakistan Human Rights Institutions (NCHR, NCSW, NCRC)
• Lead the capacity development of relevant government bodies on treaty body reporting (including best practices on shadow reporting), in close coordination with UN Agencies and Civil-Society Organisationsÿ

Other

• Perform any other related duty as and when assigned by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), particularly those relevant to the EU Human Rights Programme.
• Ensure the implementation of UNDP Procedures and Policies in the Project activities.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.ÿ

CompetenciesCore competencies:ÿ

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactÿ
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsÿ
• 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 demandsÿ
• Act with Determination: ÿLEVEL 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 competencies:Business Direction & Strategyÿÿÿÿÿÿ

• 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 system

Business Developmentÿÿ

• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Business Managementÿÿÿ

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

2030 Agenda: Peaceÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ

• Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Human Rights Mainstreaming

2030 Agenda: Peopleÿÿÿÿÿ

• Gender: Gender Mainstreamingÿ

Required Skills and ExperienceEducation:

• Advanced university degree (masters degree or equivalent) in development, human rights, public policy or related field is required, orÿ
• A first-level university degree (bachelor?s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ

• Minimum of 7 years (with master?s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor?s degree) of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in human rights and social protection.
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.)ÿ
• Knowledge and experience in relevant thematic area, particularly human rights, and social protection
• Experience in designing and leading human rights programmes, particularly those implemented directly with vulnerable community members (women, girls, indigenous persons etc.)
• Experience of provision of capacity development assistance to government and non-government organisations
• Experience in conceptualizing programmes on social protection in line with priorities of national and international partners
• Experience in working with civil-society organisations on projects that focus on human rights and social protection.
• Prior experience building inclusive knowledge, advocacy, and communication related products WPS.UN Programmes

Required Languages:

• English and Urdu

DisclaimerImportant information for US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)ÿUnder US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.ÿUNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.Applicant information about UNDP rostersNote: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ÿ 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.Non-discriminationUNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.ÿÿUNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.ÿScam warningThe United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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