Job Vacancies United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), March 2011

Job Vacancies United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Position: Human Rights Consulancy
Location: United States of America (The), New York
Closing Date: Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Background
Human rights are at the heart of the work of the United Nations. Promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion is one of the principles and purposes of the United Nations.

As part of the UN family, UNDP is mandated to respect, promote, and protect human rights in its activities. While this mandate existed from the beginning, it was actively articulated and systematically implemented only after the adoption of a specific human rights policy in 1998 – “

Integrating Human Rights with Sustainable Human Development”. Currently, UNDP carries out its human rights work under the following three strategic areas, as articulated in the 2005 Human Rights Practice Note (“Human Rights in UNDP)

Supporting the Strengthening of National Human Rights Systems
* Mainstreaming human rights in policy and programme development; and
* Greater Engagement with the International Human Rights System.

As a programme area of the Democratic Governance Practice, support to Human Rights initiatives is one of the highest in demand within the Practice Area. To catalyze the work in the three strategic areas, the UNDP Global Human Rights Strengthening Programme continues to provide appropriate practical (and integrated) tools, good practices, and other guidance material on human rights mainstreaming to programming and national human rights promotion and protection systems.

An operational framework linking global, regional and country office level has thus been developed in the field of human rights, and UNDP continues to expand its portfolio including by drawing on the UN interagency human rights mainstreaming mechanisms. Nevertheless, a great deal of the policy challenges remains at the Headquarters Level to respond adequately to the demand from the field.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the UNDP Policy Adviser on Human Rights and in close collaboration with the human rights team, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
* Coordinate the finalization of the discussion paper on Economic and Social Rights, including through facilitating peer reviews by HQ, RSCs and COs. Finalize paper on linkages between human rights and legal empowerment;
* In collaboration with the Regional Service Centre, produce a Regional Dialogue Report to be submitted to the Commission of Hiv and the Law;
* In collaboration with the Internal UNDP Task force – Contribute substantively to UNDP Concept note on MDG 5;
* Carry out other duties as assigned by the Human Rights Adviser.

Under the supervision of the Policy Specialist Human Rights and Poverty Reduction, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:
* Finalize draft issue briefs on mainstreaming human rights in UNDP programming substantively by integrating peer review comments and other feedback;
* Establish ‘pipeline’ of additional issue briefs based on demand;
* Oversee finalization of issue briefs operationally, including design and printing;
* Substantive editing of the final drafts of guidelines on mainstreaming disability rights substantively;
* Oversee finalization of disability guidelines operationally, including external peer review, final clearance, editing, designing and translation of final version;
* Carry out other duties as assigned by the Policy Specialist.

Competencies
* Solid understanding of the concept and practice of human rights mainstreaming and the Human Rights Based Approach to Programming, including on economic, social and cultural rights;
* Familiarity with the UN human rights machinery;
* Prior experience with the UN(DP) on mainstreaming human rights or applying a human rights based approach to programming would be a strong asset.

Required Skills and Experience
Qualification:
* Masters Degree in Law, International Human Rights Law or International Relations/Development;

Experience:
* At least five years of experience in the area of human rights/development;
* Excellent organizational and time management skills, attention to detail and proven ability to work independently and effectively with minimum supervision
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to quickly grasp dynamics, sensitivities and opportunities of an organization
* Strong computer/information systems skills;

Language:
* Strong oral, written and editing skills in English. Knowledge of other UN language(s) would be an asset.

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.




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