Legal Gender Advisor to National Parliament, Timor-Leste

 Job Vacancy / Vaga Servisu

Closing Date: Friday, 10 August 2012

TERMS OF REFERENCE
I. Profile of the Post
Project: Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy in Timor-Leste
Type of Contract : Letter of Agreement Between the National Parliament and UNDP
II. Organizational Context
Timor-Leste became independent in 2002. A democratic semi-presidential governance system based upon separation of powers and mutual cooperation of the institutions of state was developed. The National Parliament is the cornerstone of the democratic system and good governance. It is currently comprised of 65 members. It is headed by the President of the National Parliament. Nine political parties have constituted their benches. Detailed parliamentary scrutiny of legislation and government actions is delegated to nine standing committees of multi-party composition. The parliamentarians are supported in their work by a Secretariat of approximately 126 staff, headed by a Secretary General. The Secretariat comprises 92 permanent staff, 10 temporary staff and 24 political appointees. The Secretariat is divided into three directorates and twelve divisions, which assume responsibility for the work in general. This organizational structure is under establishment and functions following the new 2008 Lei de Organização e Funcionamento da Administração Parlamentar or Law of Organization and Functioning of the Parliamentary Administration (LOFAP).
The National Parliament was established from scratch in a setting of largely inexperienced parliamentarians; an acute shortage of skilled personnel and significant language barriers. Systems and processes are in the early stages, in some cases, and non-existent in others. Achievements are not yet consolidated and many challenges can only be overcome with long-term assistance. UNDP has supported the growth of the legislature since 2003.
The UNDP Parliament Project consists of two project awards:

1.  Multi-donor project, Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy in Timor-Leste. This is a continuation of the previous two projects (2003-2005 and 2006-2009) and has a new project document for the period 2010-2013. 
2. European Union (EU) funded project, Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the National Parliament in Timor-Leste. This is a new parliamentary capacity development project for which a project document has been signed for the period 2011-2015.

The objectives of the new multi-donor project (2010-2013) are:

• to support the consolidation of parliamentary processes by continuing to provide technical expertise and advisory assistance;
• to expand and integrate existing capacity building initiatives into a comprehensive capacity development strategy; 
•  on the basis of this capacity-development strategy and in close coordination with National Parliament, to articulate and lay the groundwork for a capacity transfer and national ownership over the project.

The objective of the EU-funded project is to enhance the Parliament's ability to fulfil its mandate in overseeing the Executive by

• enhancing institutional capacity and expertise of staff, and 
•  enhancing the knowledge of Members of Parliament.

Within the framework of the UNDP Parliament Project, the Legal Gender Advisor position will fall under the multi-donor-funded project. A Letter of Agreement between UNDP Timor-Leste and the National Parliament of Timor-Leste will support the position.
Gender mainstreaming support is one of the main components of the project. In this regard, the project has been supporting the Women Parliamentarians Caucus (Grupo das Mulheres Parlamentares de Timor-Leste or GMPTL) and the Gender Resource Centre (GRC) in developing their Legislative Agenda and Action Plan. Moreover, capacity development of women Members of Parliament (MPs) has been promoted through seminars, technical assistance and international study and exposure missions. With UNDP support, and as envisaged in the National Parliament legal framework, the GRC has now evolved into a Centre for Capacity Building and Information on Gender Equality (CEGEN), within the Secretariat of the National Parliament.
The National Parliament and its Secretariat require additional support in developing sustained capacity for gender-based policy analysis and gender mainstreaming in legislative process es. To accommodate the increasing demands in the area of gender mainstreaming support, a Legal Gender Advisor is being recruited.
III. Functions/Key Results Expected
The Legal Gender Advisor will be directly supervised by the UNDP Project Manager with indirect supervision by the Secretary General of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste. The Advisor will perform the following functions:
Summary of Key Functions:

• Provide advisory support to ensure that gender issues are considered universally in the activities of the new Legislature;
• Strengthen gender-based knowledge of GMPTL, CEGEN, the Standing Committees and MPs in general in initiating and scrutinizing the legislation;
• Provide support to the UNDP Parliament Project.
• Provide advisory support to ensure that gender issues are considered universally in the activities of the National Parliament:
   Provide advice during plenary debates to ensure compliance with the Constitution, Rules of Procedures of the National Parliament and all the relevant legislation in Timor-Leste;  Support the Parliament Secretariat management in developing and implementing a strategy to ensure gender equality in the Secretariat;  Assist in the capacity building of CEGEN staff;  Support the CEGEN in the production and dissemination of research and outreach materials;  Assist the CEGEN in the production of training manuals and programmes on gender impact analysis for Secretariat staff;  Promote dialogue between Parliament, Government and CSOs on gender issues;  Observe and transfer parliamentary international best practices adapted to the Timorese context.
  
• Strengthen gender-based knowledge of GMPTL, the CEGEN, the Standing Committees and MPs in general in initiating and scrutinizing the legislation:  Provide legal expertise and advice to newly elected MPs and Standing Committees to mainstream gender when scrutinizing and initiating the legislation;  Organize trainings and workshops on gender issues tailored to the needs of new MPs;  Provide legal gender advice to MPs, GMPTL and CEGEN in the development of gender strategies and policies;  Provide legal advice to GMPTL and MPs in the development and implementation of annual gender-based work-plans;  Assist GMPTL to connect with homologue groups in other parliaments and to access international training opportunities;  Support Parliament in enhancing gender-responsive budgeting processes.
  
• Provide support to the UNDP Parliament Project:  Prepare and submit regular reports to UNDP through the Project Manager of the Parliament Project including compliance with monitoring and evaluation requirements: advisor logs, quarterly reports, annual report, and ad-hoc inputs to project reports;  Provide inputs to Project Work Plans relevant to the portfolio;  Participate in Project Meetings/workshops: Monthly meeting, team meeting, mid-term review meeting, and annual review meeting;  Undertake relevant works as required by the Project Manager.

IV. Impact of Results

• Increased capacity of GMPTL, CEGEN and MPs to address gender issues in Parliament.
• Full consideration of gender mainstreaming in legislative process es.
• Legal gender opinions incorporated into analysis of bills.
• Reports of the analysis of gender mainstreaming in the legislative process .
• Gender-responsive budgeting process in National Parliament.
• Gender strategies for the Parliamentary Secretariat developed.
• Training materials developed, training implemented and sustained increase in capacity of Secretariat staff achieved.
• Creation of outreach materials on gender mainstreaming to improve knowledge amongst citizens.
• Good situational awareness of the achievement of objectives through submission of regular progress reports to UNDP (Weekly Logs, Quarterly Reports, and Annual Reports).
  
  V. Competencies
  
  • Corporate Competencies:
    
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the National Parliament's values and ethical standards.
  • Extensive knowledge and ability to work in the context of Timorese institutions.
  • Compliance with national laws and Code of Conduct for the Advisors/Technical Specialists to the National Parliament of Timor-Leste.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
    
    
  • Functional Competencies:
    
  • Proven experience as a gender advisor to high level public officials.
  • Proven experience in other types of administrative units.
  • Solid knowledge of legal and parliamentary role and functions of civil law system.
  • Excellent interpersonal, intercultural and networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships, especially in Timor-Leste.
  • Facilitation skills.
  • Very good oral and written communication skills.
    
    
  • Behavioural Competencies:
    
  • Team player with effective interpersonal skills.
  • Energetic, positive and constructive attitude.
    
    
  VI. Recruitment Qualifications
  Education
  
• Master's degree in law required.
• Qualification in gender studies a distinct advantage.
  
  Experience
  
• Minimum five years of experience at the national or international level in gender/development projects with parliaments and/or other public sector institutions.
• Gender mainstreaming experience in budgeting process.
• Experience in designing and implementing gender-based training programmes for parliamentarians is highly desirable.
• Experience in providing advisory services and mentoring.
• Experience in post-conflict situations/developing countries.
• Knowledge of international human rights standards and instruments.

Language Requirements

• Excellent command of written and spoken Portuguese is essential.
• A good standard of written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of Tetum or Bahasa Indonesia is an advantage. 

How to apply: 

Please submit your application letter together with an up to date Curriculum Vitae to:
Liz Garrett
Operations Manager
Parliament Project
UNDP Timor-Leste
Liz.Garrett@undp.org
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.