Rule of Law, Justice, Security and Human Rights Technical Officer [Open to Tier 1 applicants only]

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.

Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau, under the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub, guides UNDP’s corporate strategies around the various aspects of peacebuilding, governance, justice, rule of law and human rights. Crisis Bureau staff provide global strategic advice to UNDP management and technical advice to regional hubs and Country Offices; advocate for UNDP corporate messages, represent UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, and engage in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. As part of the Global Policy Network (GPN), the Crisis Bureau works in an integrated manner with UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) ensuring that issues are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes.

The Crisis Bureau (CB) is galvanizing UNDP’s efforts to support countries to build strong public institutions, promote governance and rule of law while working fully through the peacebuilding cycle from prevention to response. UNDP seeks to ensure that development perspectives are introduced as early as possible in response and recovery cycles, including approaching recovery as an opportunity to reset development practices onto more resilient, green, and equitable pathways.

The CB supports Regional Bureaux (RBx) and Country Offices (COs) to ensure risk-informed and preventive approaches are integrated into development plans, priorities, and programmes. Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response, and recovery.

Through its Regional Bureau for the Arab States (RBAS) and its Regional Hub, located in Amman, Jordan, UNDP provides technical assistance, programming and policy advice to Country Offices in 16 Arab countries, with the 17th located in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Regional Hub serves as a critical platform to support regional and national development priorities, offering specialized expertise to address emerging and complex challenges related to multiple areas, including governance, democratic transitions, rule of law, conflict prevention, state-building, and inclusive development. As part of the Hub, the Governance, Peacebuilding and the Crisis Response Team provides policy advice, support and assistance to the needs and priorities of the Country Offices and to regional projects, closely coordinating with the Crisis Bureau and the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), as well as with other Teams in the Hub operating in areas such as Environment and Energy, Inclusive Growth, Gender and Innovation.

Part of the Crisis Bureau, the Rule of Law, Justice, Security and Human Rights Technical Specialist, under the UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States as well as the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development, Phase V (2026-2029) within the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub is responsible for technical and advisory support to the Country offices in the area of justice, rule of law, security and human rights and will coordinate the implementation of the Global Programme, with a dedicated focus on output 1.4 which supports implementation of country level rule of law, justice, security and human rights programmes which are developed and implemented to enhance national capacities and deliver inclusive an people centered services. The ROLSHR Technical Specialist. will also support practice and policy development in the areas of rule of law, security justice, and human rights through the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development, Phase V.

The Global Programme is guided by and aligned to UNDP’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan and its successor plan and is widely recognized for its ability to mobilize funds, provide technical and strategic expertise, and collaborate and coordinate across UN entities to enable more holistic, coherent, people centered, and comprehensive responses to rule of law, justice, and human rights challenges.

Position Purpose

The Rule of Law, Justice, Security and Human Rights Technical Specialist is based in the Regional Hub for Arab States and reporting primarily to the Regional Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Specialist and with technical matrix reporting line to the Global Programme Manager. He/she will beregularly liaising with other members of the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub (GRP) team, as part of the GPN, as well as Advisors and Specialists in the Regional Hub. He/she will provide technical support and strategic engagement as well as guidance for the implementation of the Global Programme Arab States priority countries[1] with a focus on project output 1.4. This includes regional coordination of and support to country offices for development of Justice, RoL, security and human rights programmes including monitoring and evaluation frameworks, liaising with key partners and donors, bi-annual reporting and advocacy, as well as technical and policy advice.

The ROLJSHR Technical Specialist Offer contributes to UNDP’s wider Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights community of practice, and corporate initiatives such as the UNDP-DPO Global Focal Point for Rule of Law arrangement and the Tripartite Partnership (TPP - UNDP, OHCHR and the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions), with bilateral partners, external experts, regional stakeholders, etc.

In his/her endeavours, the ROLJSHR Technical Specialist contributes to advance the credibility and recognition of UNDP’s capabilities in this knowledge domain and associated community of practice. The Technical Specialist will work closely with the Rule of Law, security, justice and Human Rights community of practice across UNDP to support corporate learning and, in particular, the implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace & Fostering Development.

In collaboration with other Advisors and Specialists in Regional Hub for Arab States, HQ, Country Offices, Global Policy Centers, and rosters of external advisors, the Rule of Law, Justice, Security and Human Rights Technical Specialist provides guidance, policy and programme support services to Country Offices, supports the implementation of the Global Programme , where appropriate, with key UN and external partners.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

[1] Netherlands MFA RoL priority ‘

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure substantive delivery of technical assistance, policy development and programme support in Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights

• Support programming and implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace & Fostering Development
• Provide policy advisory and programming services primarily to selected Global Programme priority countries within the programme/region, which respond to country office needs, including through the provision of capacity building and backstopping to COs and UNCTs.
• Work with the Regional Bureau’s Country Advisors to ensure relevant, timely and multi-disciplinary response to Country needs for policy services.
• Ensure support to implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy in the Arab States region.
• Collaborate substantively with COs and the Regional Programme to achieve Global Programme strategic goals and plans by supporting relevant initiatives and promoting synergies within the region.
• Support COs in project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and results reporting in line with RBM guidelines, and support quality assurance, risk management and due diligence processes in line with the guidance provided by UNDP RBAS and the leadership of the Global Programme .
• Contribute to identify and manage risks across the portfolio.
• Contribute to developing the capacity of national counterparts in support of achieving the Strategic Plan and other internationally agreed development goals as it relates to the Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights knowledge domains.
• Provide substantive inputs in the development of UNDP’s policies for the thematic area and contribute to the formulation of global policy products.

Ensure substantive development of tools and resources, from across UNDP’s network of expertise

• Provide technical expertise in identifying tools, developing methodologies, and producing knowledge management products linked to crisis-related rule of law, justice, security and human rights.
• Provide technical expertise on the content development for regional/CO knowledge products through the analysis of data, case evidence, and research findings in accordance with corporate standards.
• Contribute to the identification and scoping of technical issues warranting collaboration with HQ and regional teams to research, develop and share knowledge-based tools, such as policy positions/practice notes/concept papers and other research-based products to influence/advance policy dialogue in the knowledge domain and present UNDP’s knowledge assets and capabilities at global and regional forums.
• Work closely with policy teams in HQ to advance research, testing and roll-out of newly commissioned policy/business development initiatives, by providing regional and country perspective/specificities as well as experience-based insights on what is of most practical value for national counterparts and regional leaders.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of training on programming tools including by developing training packs for COs to facilitate innovation learning, foster and encourage policy innovation and continuous improvement to enhance programme delivery, ensuring processes and deliverables ensure standards of inclusivity, are gender-responsive, and maximize integration with other portfolios and thematic areas.

Advise and support knowledge management and community of practice networking

• Advise and support monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) in RBAS with particular focus in countries implementing Global Programme funding including the continuous analysis, documentation, codification of country specific, and regional results/lessons learned.
• Support country reporting of impact levels results, impacts and learning for Global Programme priority countries.
• Review country and regional data, case evidence and research findings to distill pivotal lessons for UNDP globally.
• Advocate and advise on South-South facilitation of exchanges and experiences sharing where valuable, especially across the Global Programme priority countries.
• Support the capacity development of UNDP country staff in application of tools and practices.
• Aid the strengthening of linkages with peacebuilding and governance community of practice, both inside and outside of the UN system, including the systematic identification of synergies and collaboration with technical Units within the Governance, Peacebuilding and Crisis Response Regional Team in the Hub, such as on areas of digital transformation, accountability and transparency, democratic transitions, good governance, social cohesion and reconciliation.

Coordinate and support advocacy and partner engagement for effective policy positioning in the region

• Promote the application of ground-breaking ROL, Human Rights, people centred justice and security and Human Rights-based approaches, especially as an integrated approach to achieving the SDGs, support women empowerment and the inclusion of persons with disability. Disseminate and advocate for such approaches in relevant regional and country fora with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms.
• Support and, if requested, represent UNDP within engagements in interagency coordination in ROL, Justice, security and Human Rights policy areas and in particular support to the Global Programme including the UNDP-DPO Global Focal Point arrangement and the Tripartite partnership of UNDP, OHCHR and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
• Facilitate the development and dissemination of relevant communication materials to further advance the ROL, Justice, security and Human Rights agenda and the contribution of the Global Programme
• Help build strong collaboration and synergies in country level implementation with UNDP key partners including UN agencies, civil society, academia and international organizations such as IDLO and HiiL
• Provide technical guidance on relationship management of regional partners and resource mobilization in line with Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub priorities and corporate guidelines.
• Aid the building of strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with key think tanks and non-governmental organizations.
• Support UNDP/GRP Representation at inter-agency meetings, academic conferences, donor consultations and other events.
• Collaborate with UNDP advisors / programme managers and country-based Peace and Development Advisors.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: N/A

Competencies

• Core Competencies

Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

• Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

2030 Agenda: Peace - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Safeguarding human rights and protecting vulnerable groups

2030 Agenda: Peace - Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Human Rights Institutions.

Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Development - Knowledge Generation:

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situation

Business Management - Partnership Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Direction & Strategy - Systems 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 - Portfolio Management:

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity;
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Law, Justice and Human Rights, International Development, Political Science, International Security, International Relations and Affairs, or related field is required, OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in either public sector (national or multilateral, including UN), private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing level of responsibility is required
• A minimum of three years experience in formulation and implementation of policies, strategies and programmes related to rule of law, justice, security and human rights at national or regional level is required
• Prior experience working with national, regional and international organizations on rule of law, security, justice and human rights is required
• A minimum of two years’ experience working on rule of law, security, justice and human rights at the country level is required.
• At least three years’ experience in management of programs related to rule of law, justice and human rights at national and regional level is desirable.
• Proven experience in providing technical and advisory support to justice, security, rule of law and human rights institutions is desirable.
• Prior experience in development work in developing and fragile countries including in the context of the Arab States is desirable.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills and ability to mobilize support from a wide range of donors and partners (public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders) is required.
• Proven track record of management and resource mobilization skills in an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Arabic is highly desirable.
• Fluency in French is an asset.

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.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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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