Human Right Analyst
JOB DETAIL
Background
Sao Tome and Principe (STP) has a relatively positive record on human rights compared to other countries in the region. However, recently following developments in the country, the Government of Sao Tome and Principe (GoSTP) is dealing with some serious human rights challenges relating to civil and political rights, including sexual and gender-based violence, and economic social and cultural rights which hinder the right holders from enjoying their rights. This is due among others to the absence of a strong national human rights infrastructure such as a national human rights institution (NHRI). In January 2021, during the 3rd cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the GoSTP received recommendations for the establishment of a national human rights institution which respects international standards which she accepted to implement. The GoSTP requested the necessary international support to increase the capacity for the protection and promotion of human rights and to establish a national human rights institution. During the high-level Human Rights 75 event in December 2023, the GoSTP made five pledges, one of which was the establishment of a national human rights institution. The project has three main outputs which seeks to resolve some of the challenges the country faces in the security and justice sectors particularly on human rights issues and to strengthen its national human rights infrastructure by establishing a NHRI which respects international standards. The Human Rights Analyst position will support OHCHR for the implementation of the third output and will report to both OHCHR and UNDP, with the first reporting agency being OHCHR.
This joint project aims to support the strengthening of the justice and security sectors in Sao Tome and Principe through nationally owned and led reform efforts. It aligns with the recommendations from the joint UN-ECCAS strategic assessment conducted in April 2023, which findings and recommendations were endorsed by the Government in November 2023. Relatedly, the current project also integrates programmatic recommendations crafted during a scoping mission conducted by UNDP and UNODC, with the participation of OROLSI, in November 2023, as a follow-up to the UN-ECCAS strategic assessment. This initiative builds upon the existing political consensus for reform in Sao Tome and Principe and aims to strengthen the engagement of the national human rights institution and the civil society in the reform process. By supporting these reforms, the project will help the country prevent conflicts more effectively and enhance its capacity to deliver fair and equitable justice and security ensuring the enjoyment of human rights to its citizens. As a result, it is expected that Saotomeans will live in a more safe and secure environment, especially women and youth. Furthermore, an increasing number of Saotomeans will have access to justice services, and human rights violations will be addressed in an inclusive and transparent manner, aligned with international standards.
The required services of a human rights associate will play a pivotal role in the successful establishment of a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) and follow up on other human rights issues in the country. The expertise in researching international human rights standards and best practices will ensure that the NHRI is aligned with the Paris Principles, thereby enhancing its legitimacy and effectiveness ahead of its operationalization. The associate will be instrumental in supporting the process of the drafting of the law, and operational guidelines that reflect the local context while adhering to global standards. The human rights analyst will assist in capacity-building initiatives, including training sessions and workshops for stakeholders, foster a culture of human rights awareness and advocacy for the promotion and protection of human rights. Furthermore, the analyst will coordinate with civil society, government agencies, and international organizations to facilitate a collaborative and inclusive approach to the efficiency of NHRI, ensuring its long-term sustainability and impact
Duties and Responsibilities
Within delegated authority , the human rights analyst will be responsible for the following duties:
- Actively support/Assist in the implementing of the justice and security sectors reform project activities including the establishment of a national human rights institution at the national level in coordination with the project team in São Tomé and Príncipe, ensuring synergies with colleagues working on the same project.
- Research and collect information pertaining to human rights, taking into consideration gender dimensions from a variety of data sources (e.g., communications, publications, the press) to keep abreast of issues/events and to provide up to date information.
- Ensurethe analysis of information, to include the impact on the country and thematic mandates on the human rights situation in São Tomé and Príncipe.
- Actively support the work of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on human rights issues.
- Draft a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters.
- Maintain awareness of current human rights issues, to include relevant political and legal developments in São Tomé and Príncipe.
- Participate in human rights training programmes and national consultations for national authorities, representatives of the civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to promote national capacity building.
- Review human rights situation and other pertinent issues, taking into consideration gender dimensions, and participate in discussions on the integration of these issues into political, humanitarian, and economic efforts and programmes.
- Consult with government, NGOs, Civil Society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to cooperate with international human rights mechanisms, pay special attention to the situation of vulnerable groups.
Design and maintain database to track project progress.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient implementation of the project.
Institutional Arrangement
- The Candidate will be directly supervised by the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights and will be the first reporting officer while the Project Coordinator in Sao Tome will be the second reporting officer
Competencies
Core competencies:
- Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
- Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
- Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
- Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
- Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
- Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy – System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Development – Knowledge Facilitation
- Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Business Management – Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management – Partnerships Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Business – Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication ; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Business Management – Monitoring
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Min. Education requirements
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Law Public
- Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or a relevant related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience
- A minimum of two (2) years (with Master’s degree) or four (4) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, project management, law or related area is require
Required skills
- Experience working on human rights issues in Sao Tome and Principe, or similar setting is required
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience in programme management is desirable.
- Experience in working on projects is desirable.
- Experience in international cooperation, capacity building and coordinating meetings with various stakeholders is desirable.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in Portuguese and French (both oral and written) is required.
- Knowledge of English is an advantage.
Professional Certificates
N/A
The following documents shall be required from the applicants:
- Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
- A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
- Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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