Comprehensive Role Overview: Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights Specialist – UNDP Dakar, Senegal (P4 Level)

May 8, 2025

13 minutes read

Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights Specialist (P4) position with UNDP in Dakar, Senegal. Based on the official vacancy text, I will now provide an extremely detailed explanation of the role, covering:

Context and organizational placement
Key duties and responsibilities
Required qualifications and experience
Core and technical competencies
Strategic importance and operational challenges
Career relevance and mobility expectations
How to craft a strong application

🌍 I. Context and Organizational Placement

The Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights Specialist is embedded in the Crisis Bureau (CB) of the UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN), specifically under the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding Hub. This structure ensures that UNDP responds effectively to crisis contexts, integrates governance and human rights principles into programming, and facilitates post-crisis recovery and development.http://✌: Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights Specialist – UNDP.

The GPN is UNDP’s central knowledge and advisory network, enabling the organization to deliver integrated policy support across global, regional, and country levels. Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau plays a pivotal role in:

Guiding responses to fragility and protracted crises
Coordinating rapid deployment of technical expertise
Supporting recovery processes with long-term development in mind

The position is physically based at the UNDP Office for West and Central Africa (WACA) in Dakar, Senegal, supporting 24 countries in the region. The role is both technical and strategic, bridging field realities with global policy processes, and ensuring UNDP’s Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development is localized, relevant, and impactful.

🧭 II. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Substantive Delivery of Technical Assistance and Programme Support

Advisory Role: Serve as the lead expert for Rule of Law (RoL), Justice and Human Rights (HR) in WACA. Respond to Country Office (CO) needs with programming, policy, and technical expertise.
Strategic Integration: Support the implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) in fragile contexts.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Help COs apply Results-Based Management (RBM), quality assurance, and risk management standards.
Crisis Response: Advise on UNDP contributions to post-crisis assessments and transitions.
Programming: Contribute to the Global Programme implementation in WACA and ensure UNDP’s RoL/HR work is aligned with broader development goals and SDGs.

2. Development of Tools and Knowledge Products

Toolkits & Methodologies: Develop technical guidance, sector-specific policy notes, concept papers, and knowledge tools.
Capacity Development: Lead the design of learning materials, training modules, and innovation support for COs.
Regional Contextualization: Ensure that global knowledge products and initiatives are tailored to regional dynamics.

3. Knowledge Management & Community Building

Results Codification: Extract lessons from CO experiences, and ensure they inform global policy discourse.
South-South Collaboration: Promote exchanges between countries, civil society, and national human rights institutions.
Internal Learning: Support capacity development for UNDP staff and promote the use of lessons learned.

4. Advocacy and Partnerships

Representation: Be the face of UNDP in regional and global forums concerning RoL and HR.
Inter-agency Engagement: Actively participate in the Global Focal Point mechanism (UNDP-DPKO arrangement) and the Tripartite Partnership (with OHCHR and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions).
Resource Mobilization: Identify funding opportunities and support partnership-building.
Donor Relations: Engage bilaterally and multilaterally with donors, think tanks, and NGOs for strategy development.

🎓 III. Required Qualifications and Experience

Educational Requirements

Master’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, or related field.
A Bachelor’s degree is acceptable with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience.

Work Experience

Minimum 7 years (with a Master’s) or 9 years (with a Bachelor’s) of progressive responsibility in:
- Rule of Law programming
- Justice sector reform
- Human rights initiatives
- Post-crisis recovery and institutional development
Proven record of technical assistance in crisis contexts, policy formulation, and managing donor relations.

Languages

Fluency in English and French is mandatory.
- This is vital due to the bilingual nature of countries in WACA.
- Additional local or UN languages (Portuguese, Arabic) may be advantageous.@vacancyspaces.com

⚙️ IV. Core and Technical Competencies

Core Competencies

These reflect the UNDP-wide behavioral framework:

Achieve Results: Deliver on multiple priorities; focus on impact.
Think Innovatively: Tackle systemic challenges creatively.
Learn Continuously: Seek out opportunities to grow professionally.
Adapt with Agility: Remain effective under pressure.
Act with Determination: Be resilient and mission-driven.
Engage and Partner: Navigate complex partnerships diplomatically.

Technical Competencies

Rule of Law and Justice Sector Reform
Transitional Justice, Human Rights Monitoring
Crisis and Conflict Sensitivity Integration
Project Management and Capacity Building
Governance and Public Administration
Data analysis and policy development
Resource Mobilization & Donor Engagement

🌐 V. Strategic Importance of the Role

This position is central to UNDP’s ability to deliver SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) in one of the most dynamic and crisis-prone regions in the world.

The role directly contributes to:

Building state legitimacy through justice sector support
Promoting inclusive governance in fragile environments
Enhancing UNDP’s policy coherence and inter-agency coordination
Expanding civic space and promoting human rights defenders
Advancing national ownership and accountability mechanisms

It ensures that UNDP’s global RoL and human rights strategy is effectively localized and implemented, balancing both preventive and responsive measures across complex political and conflict-affected settings.

🌍 VI. Career Relevance and Mobility Expectations

This P4 post is:

Regionally focused (West and Central Africa) but globally connected to UNDP’s rule of law infrastructure.
Mobile in nature: You will be expected to travel regularly across the 24 WACA countries.
Often a stepping-stone to senior P5 or D1 roles, particularly in global governance, rule of law, peacebuilding, and crisis recovery.

The experience will equip you for leadership in:

Peacekeeping missions
UN inter-agency coordination bodies (e.g., OHCHR, DPKO, UNODC)
Donor organizations or INGO/CSO leadership roles

📝 VII. Crafting a Strong Application

1. Tailor Your CV

Focus on technical experience in post-crisis settings, RoL reform, or national justice strategies.
Emphasize results (e.g., “Supported legal aid reform in X country reaching 20,000+ beneficiaries”).

2. Highlight Regional Knowledge

Experience in West or Central Africa is an asset. Mention any relevant languages or political context knowledge.

3. Cover Letter Guidance

Demonstrate a clear understanding of the intersection between development, governance, and peacebuilding.
Show familiarity with UNDP’s Global Programme or Strategic Plan 2022–2025.
Reflect a systems-thinking approach and knowledge of multi-stakeholder coordination.

4. Interview Preparation

Expect scenario-based questions involving post-conflict legal aid, human rights violations, and rule of law programming in politically unstable contexts.
Prepare to talk about partnership management, especially with UNCTs, national governments, and civil society.

📅 VIII. Important Details

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal
Grade: P4 (mid-senior level)
Contract Type: Fixed Term – 2 years, renewable
Deadline: May 15, 2025, 05:59 AM (UTC)
Languages Required: English and French
Mobility Required: Yes (regional missions and travel expected)

Would you like a sample tailored cover letter or CV template for this position?

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking a Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights Specialist to be based in Dakar, Senegal. This position is integral to UNDP’s efforts in promoting governance, justice, and human rights within the West and Central Africa region. Below is a comprehensive overview of the role, responsibilities, qualifications, and other pertinent details.

Position Overview

Title: Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights Specialist
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Agency: UNDP
Grade: P4
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration: 2 Years (with possibility of extension)
Application Deadline: May 15, 2025, 05:59 AM
Languages Required: English and French
Mobility Requirement: Yes
Education & Experience:

Master’s Degree with 7 years of experience
OR Bachelor’s Degree with 9 years of experience

Organizational Context

UNDP operates within the Global Policy Network (GPN), a collective of field-based and global technical expertise supporting sustainable development goals. The Crisis Bureau, a component of GPN, guides UNDP’s strategies related to crisis prevention, response, and recovery. Within this framework, the Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights Specialist plays a pivotal role in advancing UNDP’s mission in governance and peacebuilding .

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Assistance and Policy Development

Provide policy advisory and programming services to Country Offices (COs) within the region.
Support the implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace & Fostering Development.
Collaborate with COs and regional programs to achieve strategic goals and plans.
Support project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and results reporting.
Provide sector-specific and technical policy advice for crisis situations .

2. Development of Tools and Resources

Identify tools, develop methodologies, and produce knowledge management products related to crisis-related rule of law, justice, and human rights.
Contribute to the development of UNDP’s policies and formulation of global policy products .

3. Knowledge Management and Community Networking

Analyze, document, and codify regional results and lessons learned.
Advocate and enable South-South facilitation of exchanges and experience sharing.
Support capacity development of UNDP staff in applying tools and practices .

4. Advocacy and Partner Engagement

Advocate for the application of rule of law and human rights-based approaches in regional and country forums.
Represent UNDP in interagency coordination on rule of law and human rights policy areas.
Advise on resource mobilization and coordinate approvals as required.
Manage the building of strategic alliances and partnerships .

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects.
Think Innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks and develop new ideas.
Learn Continuously: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons.
Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change.
Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate tasks and take action to achieve greater results.
Engage and Partner: Navigate complex landscapes and champion inter-agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity .

Technical Competencies

Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans aligned with UNDP’s objectives.
System Thinking: Understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system.
Knowledge Facilitation: Animate individuals and communities to participate and share knowledge.
Project Management: Plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources to achieve specific goals.
Communication: Communicate clearly and concisely, tailoring messages to the audience.
Relationship Management: Engage with a wide range of stakeholders to build and maintain partnerships .

Qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, Public Policy and Management, Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding, or related field.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree .

Experience

Minimum of 7 years (with Master’s) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s) of progressively responsible experience in the public sector (national, regional, or multilateral, including UN), civil society, or academia.
Experience in policy-making, project management, and programming for rule of law, justice, and human rights.
Proven track record of programme management and resource mobilization skills.
Excellent drafting and communication skills, with the ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners .

Language Requirements

Fluency in both English and French is required .

Equal Opportunity and Ethics

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, regardless of nationality, race, gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities. UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles .

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply through the UNDP careers portal before the deadline on May 15, 2025, at 05:59 AM. Ensure that your application includes all required documents and information as specified in the job posting.

For more detailed information and to apply, please visit the official UNDP job posting: UNDP Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights Specialist

Sources

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking a highly qualified professional for the position of Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights Specialist. This role is based in Dakar, Senegal, within the UNDP’s Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa. It is a full-time, fixed-term appointment at the P4 level, with an initial duration of two years and the possibility of extension. The application deadline is May 15, 2025, at 05:59 AM.UNcareer

🌍 Position Overview

This specialist role is integral to UNDP’s Crisis Bureau, specifically within the Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding Hub. The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development (2022–2025). This program aligns with UNDP’s Strategic Plan and aims to provide comprehensive responses to challenges in rule of law, justice, and human rights across 24 countries in West and Central Africa.

🧭 Key Responsibilities

1. Policy Advisory and Program Support

Provide policy advisory and programming services to Country Offices (COs) within the region, responding to their needs through capacity building and backstopping.
Collaborate with the Regional Bureau’s Country Advisors to ensure timely and multidisciplinary responses to country needs.
Support the programming and implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace & Fostering Development.
Ensure support for the implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy in the Africa region.
Collaborate substantively with COs and Regional Programmes to achieve strategic goals and promote synergies with regional initiatives.
Support COs and the UNDP WACA in project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and results reporting in line with Results-Based Management (RBM) guidelines.
Provide sector-specific and technical policy advice for crisis situations in coordination with the Country Support Management Team.
Assist COs in conducting assessments related to crisis response, such as post-crisis, capacity, and fragility assessments.
Monitor and manage risks across the portfolio of advisory engagements, including the formulation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
Contribute to developing the capacity of national counterparts to achieve the Strategic Plan and other internationally agreed development goals related to rule of law, justice, and human rights.
Provide substantive inputs in the development of UNDP’s policies for the thematic area and contribute to the formulation of global policy products.

2. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

Provide technical expertise in identifying tools, developing methodologies, and producing knowledge management products linked to crisis-related rule of law, justice, and human rights.
Develop content for regional and CO knowledge products through data analysis, case evidence, and research findings.
Collaborate with HQ and regional teams to research, develop, and share knowledge-based tools to influence policy dialogue.
Design and deliver training on programming tools, including developing training packs for COs to facilitate innovation learning.UNjobnet+5UNDP Jobs+5Concoursn.com+5

3. Advocacy and Partnership Engagement

Advocate for the application of groundbreaking rule of law and human rights-based approaches in various regional and country fora.
Represent UNDP in interagency coordination on rule of law and human rights policy areas, including the UNDP-DPKO Global Focal Point arrangement and the Tripartite Partnership (UNDP, OHCHR, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions).
Advise on resource mobilization and financial assistance as required.
Provide technical advice on relationship management of regional partners and resource mobilization in line with Crisis Bureau priorities.
Manage the building of strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with key think tanks and non-governmental organizations.
Ensure UNDP/Crisis Bureau representation at inter-agency meetings, academic conferences, donor consultations, and other events.
Collaborate with UNDP advisors/programme managers and country-based Peace and Development Advisors.

📚 Required Qualifications

Education: A master’s degree in law, justice and human rights, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, international development, international affairs, or a related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the aforementioned areas, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of a master’s degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the public sector (national or multilateral, including UN), private sector (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing levels of responsibility.
- Prior experience and leadership in working with national, regional, and international organizations on rule of law, justice, and human rights.
- Minimum of five years’ experience in the formulation of policies, strategies, and programming frameworks related to rule of law, justice, and human rights at national and regional levels.
- Five years’ experience in the management of programs related to rule of law, justice, and human rights at national and regional levels is desirable.
- Proven experience in providing technical and advisory support to justice, rule of law, and human rights institutions is desirable.
- Prior experience in development work in developing and fragile countries, including in the context of Africa, is an asset.
- Excellent drafting, negotiating, and communication skills, and the ability to mobilize support from a wide range of donors and partners (public, private, academic, civil society, business community leaders) is desirable.
- Proven track record of management and resource mobilization skills is an asset.
Languages: Fluency in both English and French is required.

🧠 Competencies

Core Competencies:
- Achieve Results: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
- Think Innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
- Learn Continuously: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
- Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
- Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate tasks/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
- Engage and Partner: Political savvy, navigate complex landscapes, champion inter-agency collaboration.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
- 2030 Agenda: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights.
- Business Direction and Strategy: Strategic Thinking, Negotiation, and Influence.
- Business Development: UNDP Representation.
- Business Management: Partnerships Management.

📌 Additional Information

Equal Opportunity: UNDP values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
Workplace Conduct: UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation: For all new UNDP fixed-term appointments, continuation beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Multiple Selections: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions.
Scam Alert: UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see UNDP Scam Alert.