Background

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is the worldwide membership-based network of national human rights institutions (NHRIs).

GANHRI promotes and strengthens NHRIs to be in compliance with the Paris Principles and provides leadership for the promotion and protection of human rights.

GANHRI provides a framework for NHRIs to work together and cooperate at the international level. We coordinate a wide range of activities, including annual meetings, international conferences, networks, training and capacity building.

GANHRI works in close partnership with the United Nations Human Rights Office – specifically with the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section (NIRMS) – and with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). We also work closely with the four regional networks of NHRIs, in Africa (NANHRI), the Americas (RINDHCA), the Asia Pacific (APF) and Europe (ENNHRI).

GANHRI is registered in Switzerland as a not-for-profit association. Our Head Office is located in Geneva at the Palais des Nations.

The UN General Assembly on 16 December 2021 adopted a resolution, by consensus, calling on all relevant UN bodies and processes to further enhance the participation of NHRIs.

The resolution highlights the important contribution made by NHRIs to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. It encourages all States to establish and strengthen independent and pluralistic NHRIs, in line with the Paris Principles, recognising the important role they play in assisting States to progress implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

The resolution is critically important step to ensuring the UN and its mechanisms make meaningful space to receive and act upon the information that NHRIs and other domestic human rights actors can offer. As such the resolution is an important step forward in building bridges with NHRIs and ensuring that the voices of those on the ground are heard across the UN system.

Building from and with an aim of promoting implementation of the resolution, GANHRI is seeking the services of an International Consultant to support the development of a strategy, setting out background; options; risks and opportunities; as well as a suggested roadmap forward. The proposed strategy will be presented to and discussed at the GANHRI Annual Meeting, from 14-16 March 2023.

This consultancy will be supported by the EU funded project Capacity Building of National Human Rights Institutions – Phase 3 project (NHRI.EU.3). The project’s overall objective is to: Enhance the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and their global and regional networks in promoting and protecting the human rights of all individuals.

The project is being implemented between 2022 and 2025.

In particular, the consultancy work will support activities under:

– Strategic Objective 4 of the project, “Continue strengthening GANHRI and the four regional networks, including their secretariats, to be able to better serve and support their member NHRIs”,
And

– Strategic Objective 3, “Enhance NHRIs’ effectiveness in identified thematic areas to advance sustainable development through human rights”
The consultancy is intended to be carried out in two phases:

– Phase 1: Develop a plan for NHRI participation across UN bodies (Feb-March 2023)
– Phase 2: Implementation of plan,
This consultancy is focused on Phase 1.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct guidance of the GANHRI Geneva Representative / Director of Head Office, the Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop a short and concise strategy, which provides:
  - Background and operational context
  - Options to potentially pursue, including considerations for risks/opportunities
  - Identify preferred option, based on rationale
  - A proposed roadmap / steps needed to be undertaken for the preferred option, highlighting ingredients for success and risks
•  Incorporate any changes to plan from GANHRI reviews (2 rounds of reviews: 1 prior to annual meeting and 1 following annual meeting, as required)
• The final strategy discussion paper will be presented at the GANHRI Annual Meeting (14-16 March)

Expected outputs

– A short a concise plan is developed with abovementioned aspect incorporated
– Two rounds of reviews are considered/incorporated in plan
– A short presentation of the plan is prepared at the GANHRI Annual meeting

Qualifications, competencies and skills:

– Advanced degree in international human rights law, international relations or related field
– Working experience (minimum 10 years) within the United Nations, diplomacy and/ or human rights
– Excellent understanding of UN bodies and processes for participation, particularly for non-state actors, including GA and ECOSOC
– Excellent analytical, research and drafting skills
– High level command of English required. Knowledge of an additional working language ofGANHRI (Arabic, French, Spanish) is an asset
– Proven experience in working in a culturally diverse environment
– Ability to work in a team and independently

Duration of work

10 working days, starting Jan-February to March 2023.

Application process

To complete your application, please send a Cover letter, CV and two references from relevant previous assignment(s) to: recruitment@ganhri.org, by 25 January 2023.

Please appreciate that due to the volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. GANHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.

GANHRI is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.