Closing date: 21 May 2021 at 17:00 BST
We have an excellent opportunity for a Human Rights Adviser to join our Human Rights Unit within our Governance and Peace Directorate.
The Human Rights Unit (HRU) is one of several departments in the Governance and Peace Directorate (GPD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The GPD is responsible for the promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and good governance within the Commonwealth. The HRU (a) provides policy and legal advice as well as technical assistance to Commonwealth member countries with the objective of strengthening national institutions used to promote and protect human rights; (b) assists Commonwealth Small States in improving their engagement with international human rights bodies and mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Council and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism; and (c) assists in the building of consensus and multilateral cooperation on a wide range of human rights matters of concern to Commonwealth member countries.
Reporting to the Head of HRU, the post-holder will lead on the development and implementation of strategic goals and delivery plans designed to provide effective support to Commonwealth member countries’ efforts to promote and protect human rights.
Responsibilities of the Human Rights Adviser includes (but is not limited to):
- Undertaking research and publishing high quality reports.
- Overseeing the provision of technical assistance to Commonwealth member countries.
- Facilitating the building of consensus on human rights norms and standards, and strategies to strengthen human rights protection and promotion frameworks in Commonwealth member countries.
- Establishing and coordinating Expert Working Groups working on discrete policy areas.
- Instructing, supervising, and reviewing the work of short and long-term consultants on a project-by-project basis, including under the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC).
- Leading and facilitating the review and development, among others, of relevant policies, legislation, best practice guidance, and Model Laws/Provisions.
- Prepare policy and briefing papers for the periodic meetings of Commonwealth Law Ministers and Senior Officials and other relevant meetings and, as appropriate, service relevant meetings.
- Represent the Secretariat at meetings and international conferences as required from time to time.
Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the responsibilities for this position.
To be considered, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Attained a postgraduate degree in law, human rights, or international relations.
- At least ten years’ post-qualification experience in government, private legal practice, academia, intergovernmental bodies, or non-governmental bodies in implementing and promoting best practice in human rights.
- Proven experience in working with or providing strategic institutions-building support to international and domestic human rights promoting and protection frameworks and institutions.
- Proven ability and skills in working with governments at a senior level, including key interlocutors in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of state, including law enforcement officials.
- Proven experience in project planning, development, delivery and impact evaluation, including of different evaluation methods.
- Experience of working with a wide range of external stakeholders and maintaining partnerships and professional relationships.
- Experience of working in a Commonwealth region.
Please refer to the Job Description for full details of the experience required for this position.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 member governments and provides guidance on policymaking, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.
Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, giving clear examples.
To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.
Closing date: 21 May 2021 at 17:00 BST