28 September 2008

UNHCR East Timor Human Rights Training Expert Position

Training Expert United Nations

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Closing date: 05 Oct 2008

Location: Timor-Leste - Dili

In April 2006, soldiers from the Timorese army, known as the F-FDTL, protested against alleged discrimination against members of the armed forces originating from the west. This served as a starting point for a violent crisis that highlighted an east-west divide in Timorese society. However, what happened was also about how an ex-guerrilla force undergoes a transformation from war to peace and how the PNTL, Timor Leste’s young police force, can be built from scratch.

Accountable security forces founded on international human rights standards is a key requirement for the development of Timor Leste into a prosperous and democratic state. Within the framework of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) signed with the Government of Timor Leste in 2007 OHCHR/UNMIT Human Rights and Transitional Justice Section (HRTJS) is in the process of recruiting a consultant to support training programme efforts aiming to build the capacity of the security forces to respect and protect human rights.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in the design and implementation of human rights training programmes for police and/or armed forces, preferably in a post-conflict/UN peace-keeping context.

She/he should have excellent research and drafting skills in English, as well as knowledge and previous experience of the Timor-Leste situation. Knowledge of Portuguese, Bahasa or Tetun would be valuable.

The candidate should be prepared to spend 25 working days plus weekends inside Timor Leste to conduct research and write a report containing her/his findings and recommendations with regard to human rights training programmes for PNTL and F-FDTL.

BackgroundBeginning in April 2006, Timor Leste experienced a serious crisis after soldiers in the Timor Leste Defence Force, F-FDTL (Falantil- Forcas de Defesa de Timor Leste), protested against alleged discrimination against members of the armed forces originating from the west. The allegations were not new but were made in an atmosphere poisoned by political manipulation that caused the Timor Leste National Police, PNTL (Policia Nacional de Timor-Leste) and F-FDTL to be divided internally and against each other.

The east-west divide were transferred to the streets of Dili where wide-scale violence erupted. F-FDTL and PNTL were at the centre of the complex crisis which was also about how F-FDTL is undergoing a difficult transformation from a guerrilla movement to a modern defence force, and how PNTL is being built from scratch.

Accountable security forces founded on international human rights standards is a key requirement for the development of Timor Leste into a prosperous and democratic state. On 11 February 2008 the stability of the state was again threatened when an armed group led by fugitive Alfredo Reinado, a former F-FDTL member carried out attacks against the President and the Prime Minister resulting in the nearly fatal injury of the President and the death of Reinado. Fortunately, the Government and other actors took its responsibility and were able to avoid a breakdown in law and order.

However, following the attacks there was a significant increase in the number of allegations of human rights violations by members of PNTL and F-FDTL. This negative trend further demonstrated the importance of building a culture of human rights and respect for the rule of law within the police and the army. Both PNTL and F-FDTL are new institutions that began to be formed during the mandate of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) from 1999 to 2002. In the area of human rights, PNTL has benefited from a number of human rights initiatives implemented by the different UN missions as well as bilateral actors. F-FDTL, on the other hand, have been exposed to human rights training only recently with a first course organised by UNMIT HRTJS in July 2007.


The top leadership of the country has on numerous occasions expressed their commitment to improving the human rights record of PNTL and F-FDTL and to ensure accountability for misconduct. Recently, the Government has called for a more structured approach to the human rights training provided to the security forces. In view of this, it is essential to undertake a stock-tacking of the wide range of human rights training activities undertaken until date for the police and the army. In particular with regard to PNTL a comprehensive overview of relevant initiatives is needed.

The same is true in relation to F-FDTL albeit to a lesser extent.

A better understanding of the past experiences can form the basis for recommendations for more effective human rights training programmes for the security forces. The training consultant will play a key role in this important exercise.

Duties and responsibilities- Undertake a research study to map and analyse human rights training initiatives undertaken by different actors for PNTL and F-FDTL from 1999-2008.

Produce a report based on the study outlining findings and concrete recommendations to relevant stakeholders on how to enhance the effectiveness of the human rights training efforts for PNTL and F-FDTL. The report should outline a suggested plan for PNTL and F-FDTL training programmes for the period 2009-2010.

Provide advice as appropriate to UNMIT HRTJS in relation to its training activities for the security sector in Timor Leste.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills Required:-

Advanced university degree, preferably in law, political science, international relations or other discipline related to human rights.
- Extensive experience in the design of training programmes, preferably on human rights, for security forces in an international setting.
- Excellent research and drafting skills.
- Ability to work in a consultative and collaborative manner.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas and concept in a simple manner.
- Necessary personal qualities: flexibility, patience, and excellent listening skills.
- Fluency in English.

Desirable:-

Experience from or knowledge of Timor Leste.

- UN work experience, preferably in the area of human rights.
- Tetun, Portuguese or Indonesian language skills.

Conditions of service and remunerationThe consultant will be based in Dili (Timor Leste) in the premises of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) for a maximum period of 25 working days.

At the end of this period, she/he must have produced a report with findings and recommendations. Travel expenses plus a generous remuneration package will be provided. How to applyShould you be interested please forward your CV, preferably by a UN personal history form (P-11, available e.g. on http://www.ohchr.org/) and brief cover letter to the attention of Ms. Teri Ann Bryans (bryans@un.org) copied to Mr. Joacim Carlson (carlsonj@un.org) before 5 October 2008.Please indicate in the subject of your e-mail the reference: “TCP-funded Training

ExpertReference Code: RW_7JT56R-87

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