Project Officer – Rule of Law and Human Rights

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has made plausible gains in meeting its development targets and affording fundamental freedoms to its people. However, Nigeria is beset by deep-rooted historical and structural challenges which are kindling and fuelling various conflicts raging across various regions of the country. In the northeast, Nigeria is combating Islamic insurgence which has engulfed and destabilised the entire Lake Chad basin. In the Northwest, the government is contending with a conflict which has strong tribal undercurrents and is predominantly defined by tensions around the farmer/herder conflict. From the northwest to the north-central the major challenge relates to banditry and kidnapping for ransom. Finally, the successionist movement predominantly in the southeast further underscores the enormity and the divergent nature of the socio-political challenges confronting the Nigerian Federation. All these contextual challenges collectively reinforce perceptions of insecurity and negatively impact the functionality of governance institutions and generally impede infrastructural and economic development in the affected localities. Against this backdrop, democratic governance is at the core of UNDP’s engagement and interventions in supporting the government’s drive to address these conflicts and bringing about stability to these unstable locations in Nigeria. Embedded in the Democratic Governance Unit is the Rule of Law and Human Rights programme of UNDP Nigeria which promotes ‘a culture of respect for the rule of law and embedding human rights principles in UNDP’s work to build integrated and sustainable solutions for people…’. Over the last two years, the Rule of Law and Human Rights programme has gained momentum and is at present functional at the Federal level through the Police Reform Project, as part of the Regional Stabilisation Facility (RSF) in the Northeast, and as part for Northwest Prevention Facility in the Northwest. With the expanding scope of the projects and interventions under the Rule of Law programme, the need for a tightly focussed engagement between UNDP and justice and rule of law institutions at all levels is imperative in enabling the achievement of the results and impact anticipated. Hence the need for the Project Officer - Rule of Law who will be a critical part of the Rule of Law team in UNDP Nigeria. Under the supervision of the Rule of Law and Human Rights Advisor and the other team members, the Project Officer – Rule of Law shall support the implementation of Rule of Law Programme in UNDP Nigeria in ensuring innovation, coherent and consistent quality in the implementation of the SPRPN Project. In facilitating alignment and complementarity with UNDP Strategic Plan, UNDAF and Country Programme Document, the Program Analyst – Rule of Law and Human Rights will contribute to advance the credibility and recognition of the UNDP’s leadership and technical expertise and capabilities in this knowledge domain and associated community of practice.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of CTA Rule of Law and Human Rights or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Project Officer – Rule of Law will: • Support the Rule of Law and Human Rights team in providing technical assistance to stakeholders in improving or establishing mechanisms for the rule of law, human rights and access to justice. • Support the capacity of justice and rule of law institutions to identify gaps and challenges by monitoring trends in human rights violations, and advocating for actions in enhancing effectiveness of service delivery. • As required, assist in the conceptualization and development of the rule of law and human rights programme activities as required. • Support with the capacity building of rule of law and human rights institutions for effective functionality and service delivery. • Support the teamwork and engagement with partner institutions and organisations including justice and rule of law institutions; non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and community-based organizations to achieve the objectives of the Rule of Law program. • Support the provision of capacity support to NGOs regarding the development, implementation and reporting on projects implemented on behalf of UNDP • Assist with assessment, monitoring and evaluation of rule of law programmes and initiatives supported by UNDP. • Identify opportunities for cooperation and work collaboratively with national and international partners on human rights, justice and rule of law. • Support the preparation and dissemination of reports on the interventions, case studies, and human-interest stories of the Rule of Law and human rights programme. • Other related duties as assigned by supervisors.

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity: • Commitment to continuous learning • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement • Planning and organising effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner

• Human rights, rule of law, humanitarian action, peace building and conflict resolution or other relevant programmes. • Programme/project development and implementation • Working with UN or other international development organization is an advantage

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her housing and other living essentials.