Job Description

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0 UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1 Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2 UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.

UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. The focus is on the development of a horizontal network of practitioners across UNDP and the broader development community and working closely with UNDP Regional Hubs.

As part of the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub, UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development provides programmatic, policy and financial support to national partners in over 100 countries and territories. The Global Programme is widely recognized for its ability to mobilize funds, provide technical and strategic expertise, and collaborate and coordinate across UN entities to enable more holistic, coherent and comprehensive responses to rule of law, justice, security and human rights challenges. It provides tailored, context-specific technical, financial and strategic support to contexts across the development spectrum.

Phase V of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development, builds on experience, lessons and achievements during Phase IV and is guided by and aligned to UNDP’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.

The Team of Experts, based at the UN Headquarters in New York, deploys regularly to some of the world’s most challenging contexts. It has a unique “co-lead” structure comprised of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), and UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Policy Advisor / Deputy Team Leader of the Team of Experts, within UNDP’s Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Team, the Ukrainian Criminal Law and Practice Specialist will support UNDP and the Team of Experts in advancing the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations.

Specific scope of work includes:

1. Provide technical advisory support in implementing of the Team of Experts’ programme in Ukraine,

• Monitoring legislative initiatives related to the review and reform of Ukrainian legislation in the areas of criminal law and justice, reparations, and trafficking in persons.
• Providing legal analysis on their implications for CRSV rule of law responses, their alignment with international standards, as well as areas for further improvement.
• Participating in meetings of the Inter-Agency Working Group on the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation on the Prevention and Response to CRSV, contributing to the review of its Implementation Plan, and inputting into policies and other material.

2. Provide advisory support in liaising with national authorities

• Developing and maintaining relations with national counterparts, including the Office of the Prosecutor General, the National Police of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Coordination Centre for the Provision of Legal Aid.
• Advise and support in the preparation of experts’ deployments to Ukraine, including by providing advice during negotiations with national counterparts on the scope and focus of the missions, coordinating the selection and preparation of material for expert review, and supporting with any other task, as needed.
• Facilitating the organization and delivery of capacity-building initiatives on the investigation and prosecution of CRSV.

3. Contribute to the Team of Experts’ knowledge generation on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV ) case law and Ukraine’s criminal law and justice framework, including by:

• Monitoring CRSV-related judicial proceedings in Ukraine, identifying significant aspects of judicial decisions, including the characterization and charging of CRSV-related crimes, and referring relevant judgments for inclusion in the CRSV Jurisprudence Database.
• Producing regular updates on the number of CRSV cases filed in the Ukrainian court system.
• Assisting in identifying and disseminating decisions of international and national jurisdictions related to accountability for violations of international criminal law and resulting from the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

4. Institutional Arrangement

• The Ukrainian Criminal Law Specialist will report to the Policy Advisor / Deputy Team Leader of the Team of Experts within the Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights team in UNDP.

Competencies

Core Competencies

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Legal -Legal analysis skills: The ability to analyse fact patterns and present argumentation in written form. This includes the ability to draft memoranda, legal briefs, and other submissions to external parties, in both an advocacy and objective format, and legal opinions. It also includes the ability to convey legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties in written form, with a particular view towards communicating for the particular audience who may not be a lawyer or have legal background.
• Partnership management-Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
• Communications-Writing and Editing: Ability to create and/or edit written content in different UN languages
• 2030 Agenda: Peace Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Rule of Law, Justice and Security
• 2030 Agenda: Peace Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Justice and Security for Women incl. GBV
• 2030 Agenda: Peace, Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights-Criminal Justice Systems
• Business Direction and Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, International Economics, Law, Public Administration or other related areas is required.

OR

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional work experience in politics, international relations, legal, disarmament, security, development management, conflict resolution or related areas is required.
• At least three years’ experience working with the Ukrainian criminal justice system is required
• Prior experience and in-depth knowledge of Ukrainian criminal law and public prosecution is required
• Demonstrated experience and ability to draft legal and other materials in English is required
• Demonstrated experience and ability to communicate clearly with national and international counterparts is required
• Experience of working in the UN or other complex organizations is desired
• Experience in conflict/post-conflict settings is desired
• Experience working on CRSV-related issues is desired
• Demonstrated ability and experience in drafting legal and other materials in Ukrainian language is desired

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Experience of working in the UN or other complex organizations is desired

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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