Project Specialist-Criminal Law, NPSA-10, DS-Кyiv, (National position)

Background

The legal basis for the joint programme is the Legal Annex for the Transitional Framework 2022-2023 which currently serves as a bridging document between the previous UN-Ukraine Partnership Framework (2018-2022) and the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2024-2027). Additionally, the present Joint Programme is built upon the engagement between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence which was materialized through the “Framework of Cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” (FoC) signed in May 2022.

The present programme was mainly designed in response to the needs expressed by the Ukrainian authorities in the course of the development of the FoC and the development of the related Implementation Plan which intends to coordinate the efforts related to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) response of a broad range of stakeholders, including international partners, UN agencies, government entities and civil society organizations. In this view, the Joint Programme will create the critical infrastructure in Ukraine that can take over this work and enable an in-person shoulder-to-shoulder collaboration with the Ukrainian government pushing the implementation of the FoC forward by responding to the immediate needs that the Inter-Agency Working Group is experiencing in terms of human resources. 

The present programme is fully aligned with CEDAW provisions, its general recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations and the recent Concluding Observations of the CEDAW Committee in the ninth periodic report of Ukraine [CEDAW/C/UKR/9] issued at the occasion of its 1921st and 1923rd meetings held in October 2022. The Joint Programme practically responds to a number of recommendations expressed by the Committee (especially paragraph 16).

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Apparatus of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy and members of the Inter-Agency Working Group on combating sexual violence are supporting  an Implementation Plan for the FoC with a focus on five critical areas: (i) trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation, (ii) provision of comprehensive assistance to survivors of CRSV, (iii) access to justice and accountability, (iv) strengthening the capacity of the security and defence sector to prevent and address CRSV, and (v) reparations and compensation. The Office of the SRSG-SVC co-chairs the inter-agency working groups dedicated to these themes with UN Agencies in Ukraine and the national counterparts.

While driving the plan forward in a volatile conflict-affected environment, the national authorities have sought strategic and technical support to coordinate and assist with the roll-out of the Implementation Plan. To bridge these gaps, the present project responds to this request, outlining the provision of technical support and expertise to Government institutions and relevant UN entities, which will work in collaboration with civil society organizations and first responders in implementing the FoC through: (i) policy development, (ii) training/awareness raising, and (iii) support to survivors. To this end, a Joint Secretariat comprising representatives of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, Apparatus of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy and relevant UN entities will be established to support the Government’s Inter-Agency Working Group (IWG) in developing and coordinating activities within the Implementation Plan. As a critical component of this project, the Government of Ukraine identified the need to be supported by six national experts on CRSV to be deployed in four government institutions, namely: the Deputy Prime Minister’s office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality and Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Social Service of Ukraine. Concurrently, a team of Women Protection Advisers, led by a Senior Women’s Protection Adviser (SWPA) in the Office of the Resident Coordinator, will be deployed to support the UN Country Team in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 2467 (2019), in support of the Joint Secretariat that is responsible for coordinating the overall implementation of the FoC, as co-signatories of the agreement, and its Implementation Plan. Activities to achieve the expected results under the various workstreams will be implemented on the ground, in collaboration with the WPA Unit and the national experts deployed in the various Government entities for this purpose.

In this context, we invite applications from highly qualified and experienced lawyers with expertise in criminal law for the above-named position, who will provide support on the implementation of Ukraine Joint Programme on CRSV.

The incumbent will work under the daily supervision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and will report to the shared UNDP (Ukraine) / Team of Experts Judicial Affairs Officer, promoting client-oriented approach and compliance to UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working within the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Police, to support the coordination and realization of the Implementation Plan for the Framework of Cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the UN on the prevention and response to CRSV, the Project Specialist-Criminal Law will be responsible for the following main tasks and responsibilities: 

Analytical support and implementation

• Providing technical advisory to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Police to implement relevant provisions of the FoC.
• Monitoring the realization of the Implementation Plan tasks, in which the Ministry of Internal Affairs and National Police is designated as the executor or co-executor. 
• Organizing the timely implementation of the tasks and measures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police, provided for in the Implementation Plan and the preparation of a report on their implementation.

Communication and coordination

• Advising the Ministry of Internal Affairs in maintaining regular communication with the National Police of Ukraine, the Office of the SRSG-SVC, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy regarding the Implementation Plan. Such responsibilities will include initiating, organizing, and holding meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police of Ukraine (NPU), the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, preparing reports based on their results and organizing their implementation.
• Advising the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Police, the Office of the SRSG-SVC, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine and the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy on any potential opportunity for synergy or complementarity and mutual information; 
• Facilitating the interaction of the National Police with the co-chairs and members of the subgroups of the IWG on the prevention of sexual violence related to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and assistance to the victims, including the organization and conduct of internal communications.

Consulting and cooperation with the Team of Experts / Office of the SRSG-SVC and other partners to develop strategies and recommendations in international crime investigations pertaining to CRSV cases.

• Closely coordinating with the Team of Experts / Office of the SRSG-SVC to analyse the current legislation concerning pre-trial investigation of cases of CRSV and recommending changes.
• Elaborating projects of regulatory and legal acts provided for in the Implementation Plan and preparation of expert opinions.
• Coordinating with the IWG and the Team of Experts / Office of the SRSG-SVC the organization of training for police officers on identifying, documenting, and investigating cases of CRSV and analysing educational courses/training for specialists in combating human trafficking, considering the challenges associated with the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the development of proposals for their renewal.
• Coordinating with the IWG and the Team of Experts / Office of the SRSG-SVC the organization and delivery of training for police officers regarding new risks and consequences of falling into a situation of human trafficking, considering the challenges associated with the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
• In consultation with the IWG and the Team of Experts / Office of the SRSG-SVC, developing methodical material for use by pretrial investigation bodies when documenting and investigating crimes of the specified category (memoirs, algorithms, methodical recommendations, etc., considering the possible age and gender of the victim).

Fostering effective working relations with UNCT and counterparts, Government representatives, legal service providers, civil society representatives, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners on information-sharing policy, and coordination matters.

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

Measurable outputs of the work assignment

• Supporting the Ministry of Internal Affairs to develop and implement its strategic and technical capacity to prevent and respond to CRSV – monthly. 
• Advising on international standards and comparative practices in the investigation of CRSV – monthly.
• Providing progress reports to UNDP / Team of Experts Judicial Affairs Officer – monthly.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results

• A number of analytical products developed.
• Timely submission of the regular performance reports.

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Required Skills and Experience

          Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Criminal law, law, international law, political science, or related field is required, or 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.

  Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience in prosecuting international crimes at the national and/or international level (as part of a specialized court/tribunal or an international mission with executive competencies), including collaboration with officials/governmental authorities is required.  
• Knowledge of the investigation and prosecution of international crimes
• Ability to engage with senior officials/governmental decision-makers.
• Expertise in designing and delivering training.
• Experience in excellent legal drafting skills.
• Experience in excellent public speaking and negotiation skills at a high level
• Experience in excellent analytical and reporting skills 
• Demonstrated experience in strong coordination and organizational skills 
• Demonstrated experience in strong managerial and leadership skills, notably planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling, problem-solving and decision-making. 
• Experience in ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. 

            Desired Skills: 

• Experience as a government liaison in project/programme implementation, at the national or international level, is desirable.
• Experience in elaborating strategic documents and papers, conducting research in the sphere of criminal and criminal-procedural law/ investigations/prosecution of international crimes/criminal law/ international criminal law/ human rights/access to justice and other relevant spheres will be considered as an asset.
• Experience in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes will be considered as an asset.
• Experience in ability to analyze current legislation and prepare proposals for making relevant changes (legislative work). 
• Previous experience within UNDP or other UN agencies, or other international organizations will be considered as an asset.

   Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local staff. 

Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.   
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Same Posting Description for Internal and External Candidates.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 29 February, 2024.

If you wish to apply for this or other positions, please visit UNDP in Ukraine website, section Jobs and apply:

https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/16372

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.