Portfolio Coordinator, Rule of Law & Human Rights [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Office/Unit/Project Description

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges, to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The judicial system is central to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights. Both individual and institutional independence are essential. An independent judiciary means that victims can seek redress, that perpetrators of human rights violations are held accountable, and that anyone suspected of a crime is entitled to a fair trial. By acting as a check on the executive and legislative branches, the courts ensure these powers comply with international human rights and rule-of-law standards. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Morocco is a State Party, guarantees every individual the right to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal — an absolute right not subject to any exception.

Since the 2011 constitutional reform, Morocco has undertaken an ambitious overhaul of its judicial system. A consultative body — the High Authority for the National Dialogue on the Reform of the Judicial System — bringing together representatives from all relevant sectors was established under the chairmanship of the Minister of Justice, who developed a roadmap setting out the stages of the reform. In 2013, the Government adopted the Charter for the Reform of the Judicial System, structured around six strategic objectives: consolidating the independence of the judiciary; strengthening judicial integrity; reinforcing the protection of rights and freedoms through justice; improving the efficiency and effectiveness of justice; developing the institutional capacities of the judicial system; and modernizing judicial administration. The Charter is broken down into 36 sub-objectives to be implemented through 353 measures under a detailed operational plan. Significant legislative reforms have accompanied this transformation, and a number of the identified solutions have already been put in place by the Government with support from various partners.

Over recent years, UNDP Morocco has built a robust governance portfolio, including with active engagements in human rights, anti-corruption, modernization of justice, and prison administration reform. To support Morocco in the strategic reform of its judicial system and to further expand its portfolio in the area of justice and human rights, UNDP Morocco is recruiting a Portfolio Coordinator – Rule of Law and Human Rights.

The incumbent will be responsible for the strategic coordination and management of the Rule of Law and Human Rights portfolio, working in close partnership with the Ministry of Justice, the Inter-Ministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH), the National Crime Observatory, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant national and international stakeholders.

The Portfolio Coordinator, Rule of Law & Human Rights will play a leadership role in portfolio development, resource mobilization, partnership building, and policy advisory functions, contributing to the implementation of UNDP's Country Programme and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in Morocco.

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Governance, Digital and Rule of Law, the Portfolio Coordinator will lead the implementation, management and monitoring of the Rule of Law and Human Rights portfolio. The incumbent will provide strategic direction to the portfolio, ensure achievement of project results, manage day-to-day implementation of Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) projects, and provide management support and quality assurance for National Implementation Modality (NIM) projects. Duties will be carried out in line with prevailing UNDP rules, regulations and the internal control framework. Specifically, the Project Coordinator will:

1. Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Rule of Law and Human Rights portfolio

• Conduct analyses of the country context, integrating gender and human rights perspectives, to inform UNDP's strategic positioning in justice and human rights.

• Provide substantive contributions to the Common Country Analysis (CCA), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD), Annual Work Plans, and other strategic documents.

• Advise senior management on emerging trends, opportunities and risks in the justice and human rights sectors, and identify entry points for new UNDP interventions.

• Promote integrated programming and joint initiatives with other UN agencies, in particular through the Thematic Group on Human Rights at the inter-agency level

• Ensure that Leave No One Behind, Human Rights-Based and Gender-Responsive Approaches are systematically mainstreamed across the portfolio.

2. Manage the Rule of Law and Human Rights project portfolio with a focus on quality assurance and results

• Lead the formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all projects in the portfolio, ensuring rigorous application of Results-Based Management (RBM) tools.

• Manage project agreements and arrangements with national authorities and donors, ensuring high-quality delivery and strategic alignment with UNDP country, regional and global priorities.

• Manage and monitor project risks, maintain a Project Risk Log, and submit information on new risks and mitigation measures to the Project Board.

• Ensure adherence of project activities to UNDP financial, procurement, administrative, and audit rules and procedures, while maintaining project timelines.

• Mobilize goods and services to support project activities, including drafting Terms of Reference, technical specifications and product/works requirements.

• Oversee budget preparation and execution, financial monitoring, cost recovery, and operational and financial closure of projects in UNDP corporate platforms (Quantum).

• Prepare and validate progress reports, donor reports, audit responses, and project board documentation, ensuring timeliness and quality.

3. Build strategic partnerships and mobilize resources

• Identify, develop and maintain strategic partnerships with national institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, international financial institutions, the private sector, foundations, and civil society organizations active in the justice and human rights sector.

• Actively scan the donor and partner landscape to identify funding opportunities and prepare high-quality concept notes, project proposals, advocacy briefs and speeches, with consistent mainstreaming of human rights and gender.

• Draft and negotiate letters of agreement, partnership arrangements and contribution agreements with donors and national counterparts, and monitor their implementation.

• Implement portfolio-level partnership and resource mobilization strategies aligned with UNDP corporate priorities and the UNSDCF.

4. Provide policy advisory services and technical assistance to national counterparts

• Provide specialized technical advice to justice and human rights institutions in the design and implementation of strategies, policies and reforms aimed at advancing people-centered justice and human security, with particular emphasis on women's and girls' rights and gender equality.

• Lead policy research, data collection and analysis on national, regional and global issues related to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), including in relation to access to justice and gender justice.

• Design and oversee training programmes, workshops and seminars on human rights, rule of law, and access to justice for diverse target audiences (judges, prosecutors, lawyers, paralegals, civil society, rights-holders).

• Contribute substantively to national policy dialogues, advocacy networks and inter-institutional coordination platforms in the area of justice and human rights.

5. Manage knowledge, supervise the team, and contribute to organizational learning

• Supervise project staff and consultants assigned to the portfolio, including setting performance objectives, providing coaching and feedback, and managing performance appraisals.

• Identify, document and disseminate good practices and lessons learned from the portfolio, contributing to UNDP corporate knowledge networks and communities of practice.

• Promote a culture of continuous learning, including through Learning Management System (LMS) offerings and other professional development opportunities for the team.

• Foster collaboration on human rights with colleagues across UNDP CO teams and across the UN Country Team, including through inter-agency thematic groups.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Institutional Arrangement

The Portfolio Coordinator, Rule of Law & Human Rights is embedded within the Governance, digital and Rule of Law unit of the UNDP Morocco Country Office. The incumbent is directly supervised by the Programme Analyst of the Governance Pillar, digital and Rule of Law. The Project Coordinator will work collaboratively with the Country Office Gender Focal Points, programme and operations colleagues, other portfolio coordinators, and counterparts in UN agencies, with national institutions, donors and civil society partners.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results

​​LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline​

Think Innovatively

​​LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking​

Learn Continuously

​​LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning​

Adapt with Agility

​​LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process​

Act with Determination

​​LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously​

Engage and Partner

​​LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships​

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

​​LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making ​

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area

Name

Definition

Business Direction and Strategy

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 Management

Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management

Results-Based Management

Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge

and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

2030 Agenda: Peace

Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights

Rule of Law

2030 Agenda: Peace

Peace, Governance

SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

2030 Agenda: Peace

Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights

Access to Justice and Security for Women and Girls

Partnership Management

Resource Mobilization

Ability to identify funding sources,

match funding needs

(programmes/projects/initiatives)

with funding opportunities, and

establish a plan to meet funding

requirements

Minimum qualifications of the successful candidate

Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights, or closely related field is required, Or

A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in one of the above-mentioned fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 2 years (with a Master´s degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor´s degree) of progressively responsible professional work experience in the justice, rule of law and/or human rights sector at the national or international level in project or programme implementation.

Required skills

1. Demonstrated experience in managing or coordinating multi-donor or multi-stakeholder portfolios, including evidence of successful resource mobilization.

1. Excellent knowledge of the functioning of the justice sector and substantive professional experience in several of the following areas: justice sector reform, access to justice, gender justice, capacity development of justice institutions, human rights monitoring and reporting.

1. Experience and sound understanding of human rights and gender equality issues, including their socio-political and economic dimensions.

1. Proven experience in strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills.

1. Proven knowledge of Morocco's legal, policy and institutional framework relevant to justice and human rights.

1. Familiar with UNDP ROLHR guidance, SDG 16, UN system coordination.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Prior experience within the United Nations system, in particular UNDP.

• Experience in applying People-Centered Approaches to access to justice and human security.

• Demonstrated experience in Results-Based programme and project management with Human Rights-Based Approaches and Gender-Responsive Approaches.

• Experience and sound knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) processes and principles, including theory of change and indicator design.

• Proven track recod of sound understanding of donor policies and reporting requirements.

Required Language(s)

Fluency in French and Arabic is required.

Working Knowledge of English is desirable.

Professional Certificates

N/A

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. 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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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