Senior Justice and Peace Officers

Requisition ID: req11818

Job Title: Senior Justice and Peace Officer

Sector: Protection and rule of law

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Bidibidi, Uganda

Job Description

 

1. Organization Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power. Given the disparity faced by women and girls,  IRC seeks to narrow gender inequalities and further ensure social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in programmes, processes and actions affecting their lives. Currently, the IRC’s Protection and Rule of Law team works to promote the human rights, safety and protection, and access to justice for refugees and asylum seekers in Yumbe, Lamwo, Kyegegwa and greater Kampala utilising rule of law and multilevel governance approaches.

2.Job Overview

IRC Uganda is currently looking for a Senior Justice and Peace Officer to carry out the day-to-day implementation of a complex and multi-year EU-funded program “Strengthening               Integrated Systems to Accelerate Access to Gender, Child and Youth Justice” with the goal of promoting peaceful and safe co-existence under the rule of law in Yumbe and Lamwo districts.  The ideal candidate has excellent technical capacity in promoting access to justice, delivering legal aid and empowering youth as peacebuilders. S/he has practical experience working in a protracted displacement context with strong diplomacy, partnership building, coordination and networking skills. S/he is solutions oriented and pragmatic with the capacity to solve problems efficiently and support field teams to successfully carry out programmatic activities. S/he will liaise with key government, UN, INGO and interagency counterparts and contribute to innovative systems strengthening approaches in line with the Global Compact on Refugees, the   Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework and localised SDGs in Uganda.

The Senior Justice and Peace Officer reports to the Regional Justice and Peace Manager and is based in Lamwo. This position supervises two Justice and Peace Officers based in Lamwo.  

3. Major Responsibilities:

Program Implementation:

• Carry out day-to-day implementation and monitoring of work plans ensuring that             activities reflect donor and other commitments
•  Lead on mobilization of youth peacebuilders and conduct systematic trainings and mentorship on conflict resolution and advocacy aimed at empowering youth to            influence peace, justice and security-related decisions and actions.
• Ensure  that all interventions are fully aligned to national frameworks and systems, as well as broader policy developments relevant to legal aid.
•  Engage in joint planning and implementation with strategic partners to deliver               synchronized and integrated actions for greater impact. 
•  Contribute to monthly PRoL field team meetings which review Budget vs. Actual expenditures, log frame deliverables and monitor targeted cash support.
•  Prepare weekly and monthly reports, and gather other information, as directed by the Regional Justice and Peace Manager.

Staff Support

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and        management competencies.
•  Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Uganda.
•  Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
•   Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform.
•  Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate          departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and support probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
•  Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
•  As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to               document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
•  Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
•   Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
•  Identify opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.
•  Ensure adherence to the IRC Uganda HR Policies and Procedures

Representation, coordination and advocacy

•  Establish and maintain good working relationships with JLOS actors, OPM, local government authorities, UN agencies,  I/NGOs, CSOs, refugee leadership, youth leaders and community based networks.

•  Maintain close collaboration with other PRoL teams and IRC’s Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) to promote robust coordination and leverage synergies.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position reports to:  Regional Justice and Peace Manager

Direct reporting:  Justice and Peace Officers (2)  

Other internal contacts: PRoL National and Field Teams, Field Coordinators (Yumbe and          Lamwo) , Finance Officers, MEAL Officers, Grants Team and other Technical Field Teams

Standards of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, 

gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

 This position is contingent upon contract award.

Deadline for receiving applications is January 19th,2021

 

Qualifications

 

•  University degree in law, criminal justice, peace studies or other related field;
• At least three years of relevant experience in the access to justice, legal empowerment, peacebuilding or rule of law sector, preferably in displacement contexts;
• Previous experience working on access to justice or peacebuilding programmes;
•  Proven record of carrying out effective program implementation;
•  Previous experience implementing programmes supported by EU or other bilateral and multilateral partners preferred
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, capacity building, activity and budget monitoring;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with excellent analysis and writing skills;
•    Excellent analytical, writing skills and fluency in English;
•  Strong team, partnership and people leadership, management, organizational, development and change management skills;
• Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders;
•  Ability to work independently and with diverse and multi-disciplinary teams
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure effectively and productively; and
• Additional qualities: ability to multi-task, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, adaptability to transitions.

National Candidates:  We strongly encourage national candidates to apply for this position. The IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

This position is contingent upon contract award.