Extended deadline: UNDP Moldova: Human Rights Officer – OHCHR component of the Building sustainable and inclusive peace, strengthening trust and social cohesion in Moldova



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.

 

Background

 

In August 2022 the United Nations in Moldova launches a new project – “Building sustainable and inclusive peace, strengthening trust and social cohesion in Moldova”. This project, led by UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), will be implemented primarily by OHCHR, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women in partnership with civil society organizations, decision-makers and professionals from both banks of the Nistru-river.

 

Under this project, OHCHR will work on strengthening the cross-river engagement and productive interaction at the level of government and de-facto structures, civil society organizations (CSO), National Human Rights Institution (People’s Advocate Office) and the human rights focal point on the left bank, community level. The project will also aim at strengthening responses to divisive narratives and misinformation, to reduce social tensions.

 

The work of OHCHR under the project will be funded by the United Nations Peace Building Funds. The implementation duration of the OHCHR component will be 24 months, starting in August 2022.

 

The major interventions under the OHCHR-led component of the program will be:
• Empowerment of rights-holders – communities, CSOs, the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman) and the Human Rights focal point on the left bank, to strengthen their engagement and contributions to the cross-river dialogue and ultimately to the settlement talks on human rights issues.
• Increased capacity of duty-bearers – settlement process actors will have their knowledge and skills increased from a human rights and gender equality perspective, so that these are better integrated into the negotiation agenda.
• Awareness raising among society about the misinformation, divisive narratives and hate speech.
• Support implementation capacity of authorities in regard to the new legal framework tackling hate speech.
• Support initiative on monitoring, reporting, and combating misinformation and divisive narratives.

 

The two main outcomes the project aims to achieve are the following:
Outcome 1 – Strengthened cross-river engagement and productive interaction through the advancement of human rights, the Women, Peace and Security agenda and improved access to social services;
Outcome 2 – Strengthened responses to divisive narratives and misinformation thereby reducing inter-community tensions.

 

The UN Human Rights Office (Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – OHCHR) represents the world's commitment to universal ideals of human dignity. It has a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect all human rights.

 

The OHCHR field presence in Moldova, led by the UN Human Rights Adviser, assists the UN Resident Coordinator Office, UN Country Team in Moldova (UNCT), Government and civil society in strengthening human rights and human rights-based approaches, working closely with the UN Country Team on capacity building and mainstreaming human rights in their work, as well as providing support in engagement with national actors on human rights, including advising national authorities upon request. Thematic priorities for work are: (1) Strengthening rule of law and accountability for human rights violations; (2) Enhancing equality and countering discrimination; (3) Integrating human rights in sustainable development; (4) Enhancing civic space and people’s participation.

 

Starting from 2022 OHCHR Moldova jointly with other UN entities (UNDP and UN Women) will be implementing the project “Building sustainable and inclusive peace, strengthening trust and social cohesion in Moldova”.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Under the direct supervision of the International Human Rights Officer, responsible for the overall coordination of the project, and in close collaboration with National Human Rights Officers, and overall guidance of the Human Rights Adviser, the incumbent is responsible to support the management of OHCHR activities and coordination of project activities through a range of actions: managing and monitoring the project implementation, ensuring synergies between the components of the project, communicating project objectives and results, engaging with all stakeholders, and conducting project activities.

 

The incumbent will substantively contribute to the implementation of human rights awareness raising, human rights capacity building activities and will provide the necessary advice and expertise on matters related to human rights respect, protection and fulfillment in the Republic of Moldova, including in the Transnistrian region.

 

The Human Rights Officer applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach. He/she is responsible and accountable to OHCHR for the project results and needs to report these to the Technical Advisory Board.

 

The National Human Rights Officer, jointly the International Human Rights Officer will lead the OHCHR part of the project implementation and will ensure its effective and efficient implementation. The National Human Rights Officer will support the International Human Rights Officer in ensuring coordination and coherence of human rights interventions with and between UN Women, UNDP and OHCHR, with OHCHR being the convening entity.

 

The incumbent will work:

a) to ensure the provision of expertise and advise based on human rights and gender equality approaches highest quality and standards to national counterparts on the priorities of the project placed under the authority of OHCHR, with OHCHR being the convening agency;
b) to establish and nurture strategic partnerships in the area of human rights promotion in the Republic of Moldova including the left bank of Nistru river based on the UN strategic goals, the needs of the people from the region and donors’ priorities;
c) to liaise with the UN Women, and UNDP, national counterparts, CSOs and others to ensure that the expected project results are achieved;
d) develop in close collaboration with the International Human Rights Officer and overall guidance of Human Rights Adviser annual work and cost plans of the project;
e) to organize, coordinate and report on the activities under the project’s annual work plans, as well as of the reporting under the project overall;
f) to support the International Human Rights Officer in terms of project coordination, monitoring, reporting etc, given OHCHR’s role of being lead agency of the project;
f) lead, coordinate and provide substantive input in the organization of workshops, trainings, conferences and awareness raising to take place under the project;
j) ensure the effective management and supervision of the resources spending in his/her area of responsibility including for consultancy services and other service delivery.

 

The incumbent will perform inter alia the following duties towards fulfillment of the above-listed key functions:
• Take responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently program activities and resources under of the project in order to meet expected results;
• Lead on planning and programming of expenditures and ensuring implementation of and delivery according to the approved cost plan and areas of responsibility, including ongoing review of obligations and allotments related to the project;
• Supervise consultants and other personnel, ensuring substantive programme delivery as well as compliance with performance management requirements;
• Act to support implementation of recommendations arising from international human rights mechanisms, as well as priorities identified during missions by senior OHCHR officials, as well as recommendations by Senior Experts concerning human rights in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova;
• Liaise with, and provide support to civil society organizations engaged in the promotion and implementation of UN norms and international human rights standards on both banks of Nistru river;
• Plan, develop and implement capacity building and awareness raising events;
• Advise human rights actors – including state authorities, national human rights institutions and civil society – on how best to promote UN norms and international human rights standards; enhance legal frameworks and judicial capacity and develop the national capacity of protection machinery, including its ability to meet international reporting obligations;
• Contributes to providing advice to the Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team on strategies to build and strengthen national capacities and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights;
• Support resource mobilization initiatives;
• Draft a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters, including analysis of human rights related matters in the Republic of Moldova, including in Transnistrian region;
• Keep track of and analyze the human rights situation in the Republic of Moldova, including in Transnistrian region, providing issue-based or situational assessments to OHCHR and the Resident Coordinator as appropriate;
• Conduct other relevant tasks as requested.

 

Competencies

 

PROFESSIONALISM:

• Knowledge of and good exposure to a range of human rights issues including various approaches and techniques to address complex human rights reforms in challenging settings (for instance, such as unrecognized territory setting), including promoting the rights of most vulnerable groups, addressing discrimination cases on grounds of social status, ethnicity, language, gender identity; combating hate speech and addressing misinformation, etc.;
• Knowledge of international human rights standards, frameworks, institutions and mechanisms;
• Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region, including the political environment and regulations as they pertain to human rights;
• Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems;
• Demonstrated skills in training civil society, media representatives and members of advocacy groups to recognize human rights abuses and take action to hold duty-bearers accountable;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

 

COMMUNICATION:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

 

TEAMWORK:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input and genuinely values ideas and expertise of others, is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decision may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Experience in managing a multidisciplinary team.

 

PLANNING & ORGANIZING:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to design, planning and implementation of projects on empowering and advancing human rights of vulnerable women and men, advancing economic and social rights, combating hate speech, coordinating and ensuring synergy among partners, strategic and well-structured reporting.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS:

• Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.
• Familiarity with the human rights based approach framework and results-based management tools.

 

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education:

• Advanced University Degree preferably in law, human rights, international relations, social sciences or other disciplines related to human rights. A first-level University degree in combination with extensive work and specific expertise on the indicated matters and a master’s work in progress may be accepted in lieu of the advanced University degree.
• Additional trainings on advancement of human rights in unrecognized territories and/or rights-based confidence-building would be a strong advantage.

 

Experience:

• A minimum of four years of applied professional experience on human rights.
• Work experience on confidence building a strong advantage.
• Experience in the Transnistrian region a strong advantage.
• Experience in project management a great asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and experience in use of basic Internet technologies.

 

 Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English, Romanian and Russian.
• Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Ukrainian or sign language would be an asset.

 

 The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

 

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

 

This is a local position, therefore only citizens of the Republic of Moldova or others legally authorized to work in the country are eligible to apply.

 

Applications should be submitted on line and include fully completed Personal History Form (P11) or CV/resume.

 

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

 

Vacancy End Date: 6 Novemebr 2022

To apply please address the link: https://bit.ly/3P2LofI