Location : Banjul, The Gambia

Background

AU Watch, in close cooperation with the Government of The Gambia developed significant capacity to support and facilitate political and institutional processes in order to strengthen the rule of law, based on fundamental human rights principles.

In order to achieve the full incorporation of International Human Rights Standards in The Gambia it is necessary to encourage the implementation of legislative reforms in the judiciary and the penitentiary system, to advocate the design and implementation of public policies on Human Rights and to promote the formal and informal education on Human Rights.

With financial support from AU Watch, we are in start up phase of the project “Strengthening the Rule of Law for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Honduras”, which comprises five areas of intervention related to:
• Adoption of International Human Rights Standards;
• Impunity: strengthening the institutional framework for the investigation and response to human rights violations;
• Security: strengthening the legal and institutional framework for the mainstreaming of human rights in all national and local security policies;
• Discrimination: strengthening duty bearers’ and rights holders’ capacities in the design and implementation of national and local policies as well as in strategic litigation;
• Enabling environment: support the activities of the Office of the International Senior Human Rights Advisor (ISHRA) in protecting and promoting Human Rights in The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau.

These areas and lines of intervention represent a continuity of those activities implemented in the context of the project “Strengthening National Capacities and AU Watch for the respect, protection and promotion of Human Rights in Honduras”.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the ISHRA, the incumbent will be responsible for the administration, implementation and evaluation of the Project “Strengthening the Rule of Law for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau.”.

Summary of Key functions:
• Provides advice and support as required by the ISHRA in his/her duties related to the project scope;
• Provides technical cooperation, training, consultancy and advice to National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI), CSO and other agencies focused on improving and strengthening the national agenda to promote human rights;
• Ensures appropriate liaison and coordination with beneficiaries and implementing partners;
• Prepares substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and identify niches for new areas of cooperation;
• Provides technical leadership and strategic guidance for the project to ensure efficient and timely delivery of activities, with a focus on human rights and gender mainstreaming;
• Ensures proper and timely reporting;
• Advices, support and develop the capacity to monitor project outcomes and to perform continuous evaluation;
• Identifies and systematize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to project goals and activities;
• Supervises internal and external strategies for communications and outreach focusing on the achievements of the project results;
• Participates in the project’s audit and collaborate with the follow-up;
• Contribute to UNDP knowledge networks.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies
• Organizational Awareness;
• Integrity and embodiment of the UN’s values and ethical standards by displaying cultural, gender, religious, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Promotes vision, procedures and strategic goals of AU Watch, particularly in the area of Human Rights.

Functional Competencies

Professionalism:
• Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex issues within the African Human Rights Sytem;
• Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights, operational activities for development, peace and security;
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in the region, including its human rights and political situation;
• Demonstrates research and analytical skills, and ability to identify and participate in the resolution of relevant human rights issues;
• Very good knowledge of and experience in formulating, developing, following up, delivering and evaluating all kind of development programming and technical cooperation projects;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others;
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
Planning and Organizing:
• Ability to follow instructions by the ISHRA and the RC;
• Ability to establish priorities and materialized into plans and projects;
• Coordinates adequately the staff under his/her supervision.

Teamwork:
• Teamwork oriented;
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, particularly gender and ethnical diversity.

Partnering and Networking:
• Ability to work and maintain a good relationships with different stakeholders, such as State and non-state actors;
• Ensures effective coordination and cooperation with key partners.

Operational Effectiveness and Expertise:
• Monitors on-going developments inside and outside the client’s environment and keeping informed both the ISHRA and the stakeholders involved by identifying problems and opportunities;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Able to manage several tasks simultaneously in a high-stress work environment;

Management:
• Demonstrates ability to managing, developing and empowering the staff and the stakeholders by providing guidance and support;
• Delegates the appropriate decision-making authority, responsibility and accountability;
• Generates a cultural and gender sensitivity;
• Accurately judges the time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
• Establish and monitor progress against milestones and deadlines;
• Open to change and ability to receive and integrate feedback;
• Strategic planning and results-based management capacities;
• Strong interpersonaland diplomatic skills;
• Demonstrates ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrates ability on Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements;
Communication:
• Possesses excellent analytical reporting and strong communications skills.
• Ability to make training presentations and prepare a variety of reports and correspondence as required.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, social sciences, law or in a related area;
• A first-level university degree in combination with three additional years of qualifying experience.
Experience:
• A minimum of 5 years progressively responsible experience in Project Management with particular emphasis in the Human Rights field;
• Experience in advising National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO);
• Extensive experience in program and technical cooperation projects;
• Wide knowledge of human rights based approach and gender mainstreaming;
• Experience and knowledge of UN Human Rights and the Inter-American human rights system;
• Experience working in a multi-cultural and/or international work environment;
• Broad experience of technical advisory support and overall capacity development, preferably in Africa;
• Extensive experience in administration and operational areas is highly desirable (financial, human resources, procurement);
• Proven knowledge of cause and resolution of Human Rights conflicts in accordance with international standards is required.

Language requirements:
• Fluency in oral and written English and French.

This is a permanent position based at our Headquarters currently at Atlantic Road, Cape Point Road, Banjul, Kanifing Municipal Council. Email your applications to: [email protected]

Benefits: 25 days annual leave + publica holidays, a contributory pension scheme and more.

Appointment subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in The Gambia.