Background

GANHRI is the global alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). NHRIs are independent state bodies with a constitutional and/or legislative mandate to protect and promote human rights. To date, more than 120 NHRIs exist worldwide, 89 of them being in full compliance with the United Nations Paris Principles.

Every three years, GANHRI, in cooperation with the United Nations Human Rights Office, hosts an International Conference for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

The objective of the International Conference is to develop and strengthen cooperation between NHRIs, to promote the establishment or strengthening of ties of friendships and solidarity between participants, to discuss items on their agenda and to ensure their follow up at national level.

At the end of each International Conference, participating NHRIs adopt a final Declaration setting out commitments and a roadmap for implementation and follow-up, with a view to strengthening human rights on the ground.

The 13th and most recent International Conference took place in October 2018 in Marrakech, Morocco, and focused on the role of national human rights institutions in enhancing and protecting civic space and human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders.

The next, 14th International Conference, is due to take place in October / November 2023 and will be co-hosted by GANHRI, the UN Human Rights Office and a GANHRI member institution in Europe, in line with the principle of rotation among GANHRI regions.

The host NHRI and dates will be determined in early January 2023. 200-250 participants from NHRIs and their partners from across all regions are expected to participate.

The theme of the 14th International Conference is Torture and Ill-Treatment: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions.

Risks of torture and ill-treatment exist everywhere, in any country at any time. The risk is particularly high in situations of vulnerability when people are deprived of their liberty such as in prison, immigration detention and long-term care institutions. Some people may be at heightened risk including women. Torture prevention intends to reduce these risks and create an environment where torture and ill-treatment are less likely to occur.

NHRIs have a critical role in addressing torture and ill-treatment and contributing to its prevention. This includes through investigating, monitoring, reporting, and advising the State and its institutions, as well as by conducting human rights education and awareness. Many NHRIs serve as national preventative mechanisms (NPM) under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) with specific mandates and responsibilities.

The 14th International Conference will support NHRIs in this significant role, by providing an opportunity to discuss experiences and identify promising practices, with peers and partners.

The Conference will also be an opportunity for GANHRI and member NHRIs to strengthen partnerships and cooperation with peer institutions, UN bodies and partners. This includes APT, CAT and SPT, human rights defenders and civil society, and NPMs.

Following requests GANHRI has received from members across regions, the Conference will create a timely and important opportunity to establish a community of practice for NHRI peer exchange and advice, including in relation to NPM-related work.

The Conference will be marked by the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Principles by the United General Assembly and the creation of the global network of NHRIs, today known as GANHRI; the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and the 30thanniversary of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights.

Conference preparations will be coordinated by a Preparatory Committee, comprised of GANHRI, UN Human Rights Office and the host GANHRI member.

GANHRI is seeking the services of an International Consultant to support GANHRI’s role as co-host of the International Conference for the substantive preparations for and conceptualisation of the event. This will include: researching into and documenting NHRI experiences and practices as well as relevant developments in relation to torture and ill-treatment; developing and implementing a concept note for the Conference; supporting engagement with partners and fundraising with potential donors; and assisting with the development of a community of practice, and communications and promotional material.

This consultancy will be supported by the EU funded project Capacity Building of National Human Rights Institutions – Phase 3 project (NHRI.EU.3). GANHRI is the lead implementing agency and it’s co-implementing partners are the

• Africa-Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI)
• Americas-Network of the National Human Rights Institutions from the Americas (RINDHCA)
• Asia-Pacific- Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF)
• Europe- European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI
• 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.

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”, support is foreseen to:

– Organise GANHRI’s network activities, including the International Conference- tri-annual (Activity 4.1.1.1)
– Implement communications engagement plan (Activity 4.1.2.1)
and:

Under Strategic Objective 3, “Enhance NHRIs’ effectiveness in identified thematic areas to advance sustainable development through human rights”, support is foreseen to address “new” thematic areas on human rights, including torture and ill-treatment, on a case-by-case basis through various interventions.

The consultancy is intended to be carried out in two phases:

– Phase 1: Research, conceptualisation, partnerships and fundraising (Jan-March 2023)
– Phase 2: Conference preparations including documentation, development of agenda,engagement with partners, and conceptualisation of the outcome Declaration (April-November)
This consultancy is focused on Phase 1.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct guidance of the GANHRI Head Office, the Consultant will undertake the following tasks:

– Assist in the development of a workplan, specifying methodology, objectives, deliverables and a timeline
– Conduct initial desk research into, identify and document, background, NHRI and other stakeholders’ experiences, issues in focus and relevant developments at global, regional and national level, including through consultation with the UN Human Rights Office, selected GANHRI members, and partners
– Develop the concept note for the International Conference, setting out background, objectives, issues in focus and methodology, for presentation at GANHRI 2023 Annual Meeting to be held in Geneva, 14 – 16 March 2023
– Support in developing partnerships for the International Conference and a fundraising activities, including identification and reach-out to partners and donors, and development of fundraising material. for various possible areas
– Advise on the establishment of a repository of NHRI experiences and knowledge management for the International Conference and beyond. This includes identifying appropriate documentation and archiving on web-based platform provided by GANHRI
– Contribute to the development of communication and promotional material for the International Conference

Expected outputs

– A workplan is developed and implemented according to the established timeline.
– Research is conducted including into NHRI experiences, priorities and needs, and relevant material is identified and documented in consultation with partners
– The concept note for the International Conference is developed for presentation at GANHRI 2023, identifying background, objectives, issues in focus and methodology
– Partnerships for the Conference are established and fundraising activities for the International Conference are supported
– Advice is provided for the establishment of a repository of key NHRI experiences and other relevant developments
– Advice is provided for the development of communication and promotional materials

Qualifications, competencies and skills:

Advanced degree in international human rights law, international relations or related field

– Working experience (minimum 7 years) in human rights, including research, documentation and report writing, with in depth-knowledge of human rights, torture and ill-treatment, including prevention. Working experience with national human rights institutions and/or national preventive mechanisms, at both global, regional or national level, and the UN human rights protection system desirable.
– Excellent research, analytical and communications skills with high level command of English required.
– Knowledge of an additional working language of GANHRI (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

This assignment is for duration of 25 working days, from January 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 13 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.