I. Organizational Context

As a direct result of 22 years of authoritarian rule, rule of law institutions in the Gambia face significant challenges. During those years, social stability was maintained through state force and coercion. As a result, Gambians were routinely subjected to widespread human rights violations such as harassment, arbitrary arrest, torture and extrajudicial executions, in a climate of total impunity and the UN, a number of NGOs and human rights defenders have documented such alleged violations. In most cases, there was no effective investigation and perpetrators have not been brought to justice.  As a result of the dictatorship, wide ranging human rights violations, executive branch interference with the independence of the Judiciary, weakening of rule of law institutions and misuse of security forces, Gambian citizens have lost confidence and trust in their justice institutions. To address the grievances of the Gambians of human rights violations experienced under the former regime, The UN supported the Gambian government to design a National Strategy for Transitional Justice and in establishing and implementing transitional justice mechanisms. The new government in The Gambia has also resolved to improve the country’s human resources capacity, its constitutional, legal and institutional framework, as well as the quality of its strategies, policies and programs, in order to consolidate democracy and comply with international human rights standards.

OHCHR and UNDP are supporting the Government of The Gambia by means of a transitional justice and human rights project in designing and implementing a National Strategy for Transitional Justice and to support the national Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in compliance with the Paris Principles. OHCHR has the technical lead on this project whereas UNDP project management and administrative support.  

Under the general supervision of the Resident Coordinator/Resident Representative and direct supervision of the OHCHR Regional Representative on substantive technical activities and the UNDP Resident Representative on management and implementation of the Transitional Justice Project as well as synergies with development and other transition related initiatives, the Adviser will also work closely with other UN agencies, including with the UNDP Gambia’s Strengthening the Rule of Law and Enhancing Justice and Security Service Delivery in The Gambia (UNDP RoL),UNDP Security Sector Reform projects and the OHCHR West Africa Regional Office. The Transitional Justice advisor is expected to manage the implementation of the PBF project and advise and implement on the 4 pillars of the overall project: prosecutions, truth seeking, reparations and reforms for non-recurrence

II. Functions / Key Results Expected

Provides policy advice and technical assistance by undertaking the following functions:

Provides programme management and implementation, focusing on the following functions

• Coordinate the strategic planning, formulation and monitoring of programmatic issues with the UNDP senior management and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), PBSO, as well as other UN entities on Transitional Justice and Human Rights issues; 
• Manage and oversee the implementation of IRF PBF project on transitional justice = and human rights, including work planning, procurement, recruitment, monitoring and evaluation and reporting functions;
• Manage and oversee the implementation of the Irish Aid funded project: “Intensifying Support to the Victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and their participation in Truth, Reconciliations and Reparations Commission processes in The Gambia (ISV-SGBV);
• Manage and oversee the implementation of activities under the Tripartite Agreement between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNDP and the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
• Prepare and review annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation plans as well as procurement plans in line with the outputs and objectives of each of the interventions;
• Closely monitor the delivery status and prepare written monthly progress updates for circulation to OHCHR, UNDP and the Gambia UNCT – both narrative and financial – in relation to the agreed work plan and implementation strategy;
• Conduct regular programmatic reviews, including strategic guidance on activity planning, implementation strategies and future project orientation;
• Provide support in advancing thematic coordination, including by identifying programmatic entry points and by ensuring consistency and complementarity in relation to other OHCHR and UNDP programmes;
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues into the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of all project activities;
• Ensure synergies of the activities in Transitional Justice with other initiatives in the field of reconciliation and social cohesion;
• In close coordination with the M&E analyst, ensure regular monitoring and evaluation of UN’s support to the Ministry of Justice, the TRRC, the NHRC, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters, victims organization and relevant human rights and justice sector institutions
• Coordinate activities toward effective partnership building to support mobilization of financial resources and establish communications with key donors.
• Provide support to the Ministry of Justice/Technical Committee on Transitional Justice and other stakeholders in implementing a comprehensive nationally owned, inclusive, gender-sensitive and victim-centered strategy on Transitional Justice;
• Assist in the implementation of the National Transitional Justice strategy;
• Provide technical advice to the Government, the TRRC, security sector, judiciary and CSOs on transitional justice in general;
• Develop guidance notes to help government counterparts and UN agencies in the implementation of the project;
• Organize and support meetings with various stakeholders including Government counterparts to discuss challenges, policies, legal, strategic and programmatic issues pertaining to the transitional justice process and the participation of all stakeholders;
• Advise the UN Country Representative and the UNCT on best ways to support relevant government institutions and other stakeholders including civil society organizations and victims’ associations in the implementation of a comprehensive National Strategy Document on transitional justice;
• Advise on best strategies and activities to secure participation from all stakeholders and advocate for protection for victims and witnesses throughout the process;
• Liaise with civil society and media actors on transitional justice issues  ;
• Ensure that a human-rights based approach and a victim-centered approach is used in the implementation of the National Transitional Justice Strategy
• Provide technical support to the government counterparts in the organization of consultative activities. 
• Help identify key challenges, needs, gaps and priorities, taking into account the historical, political, social and cultural context of The Gambia and the outcome of previous consultative processes; 
• Ensure that arrangements are made at each stage of the consultative process to secure the participation of disadvantaged groups including children who have suffered violations of their rights;
• Ensure support is provided for outreach and communication of information and knowledge on TJ and TRRC processes - the design of appropriate public awareness raising, outreach and communication efforts on TJ and TRRC issues/processes in order to encourage broad public participation;
• Review and/or support the development of relevant legislation, regulations, rules and procedures, and institutions (including a legal framework for a National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up, a legal framework for witness protection in The Gambia, reparations policies and regulations) that are essential for the effective TJ implementation and human rights protection;
• Guide and contribute to strengthen capacities of important institutions and actors that will lead the implementation of national TJ strategy in partnership with OHCHR activities and UNDP project Help mobilize resource for TJ follow-up activities to include – efforts to identify, outsource and mobilize expertise and resources, in a coordinated manner from the international community on TJ (UN Experts and other international organizations with relevant expertise);
• Ensure the mainstreaming of gender perspective into all the components and activities that will be implemented under the project, during the consultative phase, the drafting of the national strategy and the implementation and evaluation of the project
• Prepares analytical reports to inform and enable OHCHR and UNDP’s prioritization and implementation decisions.
• [If required] Organize knowledge/experience sharing platforms and events in furtherance of project results and to ensure inclusion of relevant Human rights and transitional justice stakeholders.

Provides financial and operational management by undertaking the following functions:

• Ensure the sound management of resources allocated to the project, by putting in place an effective system that would guarantee cost effectiveness;
• Ensure the drafting, implementation and periodic review of work and cost plans, strategies and related tasks;
• Ensure integrity of financial and administrative procedures as well as a consistent application of PBF /UNDP procedures, rules and regulations;
• Supervise requisitions, purchase orders and payment requests in ATLAS, and ensure monthly delivery updates to the United Nations Resident Representatives and UNDP Deputy Representative on financial delivery performance;
• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure that qualitative services are provided to national partners, including by putting in place fair and transparent procurement processes and by providing efficient operational support;

The Transitional Justice Advisor will ensure knowledge management focusing on achieving the following results:

• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned in the project area for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information
• Active participation in UNDP knowledge networks and OHCHR activities  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;
• Support to capacity and knowledge building of national counterparts.

III. Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Show integrity by putting forward the values and morals of the United Nations;
• Show flexibility and adaptation to differences related to culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Good knowledge of the country and/or region of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions, and their relation to the main engines of instability and conflict;
• Sound knowledge and exposure to a wide range of post-conflict, peacebuilding, good governance, human rights and development-related issues;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Ability to advocate and provide timely policy advice;
• Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior level officials of the host government required;
• Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job.  Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, for effective advocacy and influence on policy makers;
• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting;
• Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to reintegration, recovery and development issues, peace and security and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system;
• Ability to analyze is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents;
• Ability to develop a strategic planning, the management based on achievement and reporting;
• Ability to formulate, implement and ensure the monitoring and the evaluation of projects / programs of development and resources mobilization;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, contributions and investments, and transactions;
• Solid knowledge and experience in programme management and financial resources management.

Management and leadership:

• Develop strong relationships with customers, focus on results for the customer, respond positively to the feedback;
• Develop a work approach with energy and a positive and constructive attitude. Ability to implement new systems and have a positive impact on the change of the staff attitude;
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
• Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines;
• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications;
• Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations;
• Very strong leadership capacities to guide a multi-cultural team in difficult circumstances. Demonstrates openness to the change of ability to manage complex situations.

IV. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree in law, human rights, political science, international development or related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 (ten) years of working experience in the field of human rights, justice or peacebuilding of which at least 5 (five) years on transitional justice, during which the candidate has effectively designed strategies and worked in a multi-stakeholders environment composed of national and international counterparts.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, advising and implementing projects related to rule of law, transitional justice and reconciliation processes;
• Experience in coordination and strategic planning, through linking transitional justice to related areas such as a wider rule of law engagement;
• Work experience on conflict prevention/resolution and social cohesion;
• Previous experience with the United Nations in fragile settings is desirable;
• Track record in promoting and mainstreaming gender issues and in promoting the rights of vulnerable groups such as children and persons with disabilities;
• Knowledge of project management procedures in the context of UN agencies is an advantage;
• Have a positive attitude to work and be able to work under pressure in a multicultural environment;
• Good computer skills;
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of national and regional socio political context.

Language Requirements:

Perfect command of English. Working knowledge of French is desirable

Contract Duration: 1 Year