Temporary Human Rights Officer (Maternity Cover) - Human Rights Unit

Reference: 111000360
Location: London, UK
Closing Date: 11 Nov 2011

General Information

The Human Rights Unit promotes understanding of, respect for and the protection of human rights across the Commonwealth, in accordance with the principles enshrined in Commonwealth Declarations and in UN human rights instruments. It thus works to encourage member countries to adopt and implement international standards and best practices on human rights.

The Human Rights Unit (HRU) derives its mandate from various Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Declarations. The 1971 Singapore Declaration, the 1991 Harare Declaration and the 2009 Trinidad and Tobago Affirmation of Values set out the Commonwealth's commitment to human rights.

The Commonwealth Secretariat has strategic goals that include strengthening democracy, promoting rights-based development and respect for human rights within the Commonwealth. The Secretariat has focused much human rights work on determining best practices, strengthening and supporting national and regional human rights mechanisms and increasing the awareness of and respect for human rights throughout the Commonwealth. The Unit also takes a lead responsibility on facilitating the shaping and mainstreaming of rights-based approaches across the work of the Secretariat.

Job Summary

The Temporary Human Rights Officer will lead on thematic projects such as Universal Periodic Review (UPR) under the Human Rights Council, Prisons and Disability rights. Regionally the Officer will be responsible for capacity building interventions in the Commonwealth Pacific.

He/she will work under the supervision of the Head of Human Rights to assist the Human Rights Unit with research and project implementation work, including the compilation of data and information for publications. Specifically the incumbent will be tasked with progressing the collation of information for publications on best practice in disability rights; as well as Universal Periodic Review (UPR) follow-up and implementation.

The Officer will also be involved in making the arrangements for human rights awareness raising events and the planning and coordination for capacity building interventions in the areas of disability, prison reform, and UPR.

Research support will involve the preparation of materials on UPR, prisons, disability and the Pacific region.

Role description

• Prepare opinions, advice and recommendations for the Unit on specific activities to implement the HRU’s mandate, and to assist other divisions of the Secretariat integrate human rights in their work.
• Assist with the drafting of correspondence.
• Arranges meetings and prepares notes or records of the meetings.
• Assist in the arrangement of compilation of materials for publications.
• Research and compile information and data for HRU publications, and liaise with the Publications Unit on the publishing arrangements.
• Assist in organising events and activities, such as human rights awareness-raising events and workshops to strengthen human rights capacity in Commonwealth countries.
• Research and collate background information on human rights issues and Commonwealth countries, relevant to the activities of the Unit in Commonwealth countries.
• Represent the Human Rights Unit at meetings within the Secretariat and attend conferences and report back to the Unit on the discussions and issues raised.
• Liaise with Divisions in the Secretariat on issues relevant to the Unit such as the maintenance of the Human Rights Unit’s website.
• Carries out research for the Unit on various issues as assigned from time to time.
• Distributes publications and documents to stakeholders.
• Prepares budgets and expenditure sheets for specific events/activities.
• Any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the Head of Human Rights.

Person specification

Education & Knowledge

Have completed a relevant undergraduate programme in a relevant field (such as human rights, law, social policy or development studies).

Desirable: Hold a Masters degree in a similar relevant field.

Experience

At least three years’ experience, at national or international levels, in implementing and promoting best practice in human rights (or two years’ experience with a Masters degree). Experience with the Universal Periodic Review mechanism of the Human Rights Council, specifically on capacity building initiatives; and/or prison reform; and/or disability rights. Experience in researching human rights; managing human rights awareness events.

Desirable: Regional experience within the Commonwealth Pacific.

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