Programme Specialist, Rule of Law, and Justice

The two-year conflict in Northern Ethiopia has triggered a major humanitarian crisis in Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions with profound adverse effects on Ethiopia’s ambitious economic and governance reforms. The conflict resulted in significant loss of lives; displacement of millions needing humanitarian assistance; and large-scale damage to infrastructure and services. On the 2^nd of November 2022, an agreement for lasting peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities was signed between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (GoE) and the TPLF. Led by the AU, the Peace Agreement has ended active combat in Northern Ethiopia and raised hope for a gradual restoration of services and humanitarian operations in the region. This wide-ranging agreement committed, among other things, to an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities, the creation of an interim administration in Tigray region pending regional elections, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants (XCs), resumption of unhindered humanitarian access, the restoration of essential services, reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returning refugees, transitional justice, social cohesion and reconciliation, and recovery and reconstruction. The peace agreement also paves the way for the restoration of peace, security, and stability in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray Regions. 

It is in this context that UNDP has developed a ‘Peace Support Programme/Facility (PSP/F)’ nested within the Federal Government’s Resilient Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) but focused on urgent actions over 24 months to stabilize conditions, restore a sense of normalcy, and deliver a first peace dividend to conflict-impacted populations.  The approach is to fill the gap that is likely to open between the urgency of addressing a wide range of priority needs quickly to consolidate peace and stabilize conditions and the time it will take for the larger, longer-term, and more comprehensive 3R Framework to kick in meaningfully, possibly in late-2024, at the earliest.  Moreover, the PSP/F is designed flexibly, so that it could potentially be scaled up to become the foundation of a larger UN-wide effort in the same direction.  In line with this approach, the PSP/F is being implemented already in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions. 

The strategic goal of the PSP/F is to contribute toward an irreversible peace process in Northern Ethiopia.  This will be pursued through an actionable set of measures that can build trust between communities and legitimate Ethiopian authorities and lay the foundations for recovery, peacebuilding, and sustainable development, founded upon country leadership and ownership.

Working within the broader framework of 3RF, the PSP/F will focus on the following windows: 

• Window 1:  Local Governance, Human Rights and Social Cohesion
• Window 2:  Basic Social Services (health, nutrition, education, WASH, protection)
• Window 3:  Economic Revival (enterprises and agriculture, demining)
• Window 4: Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants 
• Window 5:   Solutions to Internal Displacement

Geographic Focus:  Afar, Amhara, and Tigray (Northern Ethiopia); Window 4 Demobilization and Reintegration of Ex-Combatants (8 regions)

Target conflict-impacted populations:  10 million

Timelines for implementation:  June 2023 - May 2025

1. Provision of relevant, timely, and integrated policy advice and programming support on justice and rule of law implementable in the Peace Support programme target regions.
2. Implementation of UNDP’s engagement in justice, human rights, and rule of law sector in the Peace Support Programme target regions 
3. Provision of technical advice services internally within the Peace Support Programme Team and externally to regional government and non-governmental counterparts
4. Implementation of UNDP’s corporate and UNDP Ethiopia’s strategies in the peace support and peacebuilding sector
5. Facilitation of knowledge-building and management

Duties and Responsibilities

3.1. Provision of relevant, timely, and integrated policy advice and programming support on justice and rule of law implementable in the Peace Support programme target regions,

• Thorough analysis and research of the justice, rule of law, and political situation in the targeted regions continuously with a particular focus on areas that have impacts on UNDP’s programmes/projects,
• Identify areas for support and interventions within the justice and rule of law thematic/sectoral areas based on analysis, as well as UNDP’s corporate priorities, CPD strategies, and comparative advantages,  
• Regular monitoring and analysis of assigned the Peace Support Programme and suggest timely readjustments in the portfolio as and when necessary,
• Effective application of RBM tools, monitoring achievement of results and contribution to Peace Support Programme Team and Country Office-wide initiatives and activities, 
• Determination of required revisions/adjustments, and coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises,
• Coordination of programme/project implementation with implementing partners according to agreed-upon priorities, Annual Work Plans, and available resources,
• Financial and substantive monitoring of the Peace Support Programme, analysis of the programme environment, identification of operational and financial challenges and propose timely adjustments and/solutions,
• Regular field monitoring visits, reporting back on findings and recommendations, follow-up to ensure timely implementation of the recommendations to build the capacity of the implementing partners,
• Contribution to the Rule of Law and Justice focused progress reports, distilling lessons learned, to the compilation of Peace Support Programme contribution to UNDP corporate reporting requirements,
• Ensure adherence to UNDP-supported work to safeguards: HACT, ESS, human rights, ‘leaving no one behind’, and ‘doing-no-harm’, updates risks and risk mitigation, to inform plans and progress on implementation.
• Ensures that approaches to gender equality are integrated into all aspects of planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.  

3.2.  Implementation of UNDP’s engagement in justice, human rights, and rule of law sector in the Peace Support Programme target regions 

• Identify programmatic entry points through gap assessments and actively contribute to the formulation of new interventions/activities within the justice, human rights, and rule of law sectors, 
• Assess capacity needs in the justice, human rights, and rule of law sectors in close collaboration with institutions in target regions and help develop well-structured and sustainable capacity development plans for addressing skill and knowledge deficits, 
• Build strong and trusted relationships with regional counterparts, including zonal and woreda officials, as well as with target communities,
• Keeping abreast of policy changes and trends regarding public sector management, justice and human rights, and civil society, analyze them and inform Peace Support Project Management,
• Develop concept papers, briefing notes, issues papers, and analytical pieces to inform UNDP policy-making and programming,
• Identification and synthesis of best practices, key challenges, and lessons learned directly linked to the Peace Support Programme objectives, priorities, and outputs,

3.3. Provision of technical advice services internally within the Peace Support Programme Team and externally to regional government and non-governmental counterparts

• Thorough analysis and research of the justice, human rights, rule of law, and political situation in the target regions continuously with a particular focus on areas that have impacts on UNDP’s programmes/projects, feeding into the UNCSDF, SP, and CPD,
• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the justice, human rights, and rule of law thematic/sectoral areas assigned based on the above analysis, as well as UNDP’s corporate priorities and comparative advantages, 
• Keeping abreast of policy changes and trends regarding justice, human rights, and the rule of law and analyze them and inform the Head and Deputy Head of the Peace Support Office,
• Develop concept notes, briefing notes, issues papers, and analytical pieces to inform UNDP policymaking and programming around justice, human rights, and rule of law programming, 

3.4. Implementation of UNDP’s corporate and UNDP Ethiopia’s strategies in the peace support and peacebuilding sector focusing on justice, human rights, and rule of law

• Provide technical advice and support to the Peace Support programme as well as the Country Office in the design and implementation of rule of law and justice programming (e.g., support the development of and provide feedback on project documents, input into draft reports, write analytical knowledge products, backstop as needed, encourage innovation and continuous improvement to enhance programme delivery, provide quality assurance of documents developed),
• Plans, administers, and monitors programme activities by regularly monitoring reviewing, and taking corrective action to check risks and a collaborative environment for program review processes,
• Contribute to the development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, government institutions, and civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, target regions’ needs and implementing partners’ priorities,
• Maintenance of project briefs and activity information for donors, civil society, academia, the private sector, and other stakeholders to support UNDP’s visibility activities.

3.5.  Facilitate knowledge building and management focusing on the achievement of the following results: 

• Sound contribution to knowledge building, networks, and communities of practice, 
• Systematic recording of best practices and lessons learned in the areas assigned,
• Coordination of internal and external reviews and evaluations and facilitation of application of lessons in future programming,
• Organization of training for implementing partners, operations/projects staff on programme management issues applying RBM tools,
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in project/programme implementation and participate actively in relevant communities of practice,
• Prepare and/or contribute to communications materials, including audio-visual products, on UNDP’s Peace Support Programme and other related efforts,
• Organization of training for implementing partners, operations/projects staff on programme issues
• Perform other activities as assigned by the Head and Deputy Head of the Peace Support Programme. 

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Director of the Peace Support Office, the rule of law and justice Specialist is responsible for ensuring effective management of the Peace Support Programme, providing technical and operational support to the design, implementation monitoring, and reporting activities. The position holder is also expected to assist in the interface between UNDP and its implementing partners in the targeted regions, most notably justice, human rights, and security institutions. The incumbent would be required to support the conduct of the requisite analytical and situational assessment to inform programme design and understand trends and patterns that impact the programme. He/she provides policy and technical advisory services to regional government counterparts as well as UNDP.

The Programme Specialist is expected to work independently, with minimal supervision but in close collaboration with the programme colleagues within the Country Office, and Regional Peace Support Office and to actively engage with government implementing partners and other actors.

Impact of Result

The results to be delivered by the Programme Specialist will ensure the effective implementation of UNDP’s Peace Support Programme in Northern Ethiopia. Further, it will enhance UNDP’s ability to enhance the capacity of justice and human rights institutions in the targeted regions, thus enabling the Country Office to deliver on its commitments to partners – government, donors, and protect communities. 

UNDP’s stakeholders and partners are increasingly requiring that we demonstrate greater development results and harmonization by ensuring the implementation of programmes and projects in a more integrated and coherent manner, and by adopting results-based project management, ultimately ensuring the sustainability of development results. This capacity would allow UNDP to offer to partners – government, and donors, the implementation of sound projects and programmes that are evidence-based, relevant, and effective. The results will also facilitate a new paradigm by applying a portfolio approach in programming that ensures alignment and complementarity, shared learning, and value for money.

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, that have a lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks and 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 tasks/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigating the complex landscape, championing inter-agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

• Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system.
• Business Development- Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Business Management- Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Business Management- Partnerships 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, policies, and priorities.
• Business Management- Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• Business Management- Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform, and model data to discover useful information, inform conclusions, and support decision-making.
• 2030 Agenda: Peace- Justice, Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Human Rights Institutions/compliance; Justice institutors/access; effectiveness; Transitional justice.
• 2030 Agenda: Peace- Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding, and Social Cohesion: Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion; Conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity; Peacebuilding and reconciliation; Humanitarian-Development Peace (HDP) Nexus.
• 2030 Agenda: Peace- The rule of law, security, and human rights: Access to justice, community citizen security, armed violence reduction, Human rights, justice, and security for women including GBV, the rule of law, justice and security, transitional justice, and women’s access to justice.