Deadline: January 23, 2018
The United Nations Human Rights Council (OHCHR) Office is looking for a new Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Could it be you? Apply now for the appointments to be made at the 37th session of the Human Rights Council (26 February-23 March 2018).
Independent United Nations experts of the Human Rights Council are appointed through a competitive and transparent process which involves an online written application in response to a call for candidatures issued by the Secretariat. Shortlisted candidates are then interviewed by telephone by the Consultative Group composed by five Ambassadors nominated by each of the five regional groups.
The Consultative Group makes recommendations to the President of the Human Rights Council through its public report. The appointment is finalized when the selected candidate put forward by the President is approved by the Human Rights Council.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates are highly qualified individuals who possess established competence, relevant expertise and extensive professional experience in the field of human rights. Highly qualified women are encouraged to apply.
- Qualifications: relevant educational qualifications or equivalent professional experience in the field of human rights; good communication skills in one of the official languages of the United Nations.
- Relevant expertise: knowledge of international human rights instruments, norms and principles; as well as knowledge of institutional mandates related to the United Nations or other international or regional organizations’ work in the area of human rights; proven work experience in the field of human rights.
- Established competence: nationally, regionally or internationally recognized competence related to human rights.
- Flexibility/readiness and availability of time to perform effectively the functions of the mandate and to respond to its requirements, including attending Human Rights Council sessions.
Criteria
The following general criteria will be of paramount importance while nominating, selecting and appointing mandate holders:
(a) expertise;
(b) experience in the field of the mandate;
(c) independence;
(d) impartiality;
(e) personal integrity; and
(f) objectivity
Due consideration should be given to gender balance and equitable geographic representation, as well as to an appropriate representation of different legal systems. Eligible candidates are highly qualified individuals who possess established competence, relevant expertise and extensive professional experience in the field of human rights (paragraphs 39-41).
Nomination
The following entities may nominate candidates:
(a) Governments,
(b) Regional groups operating within the United Nations human rights system,
(c) international organizations or their offices,
(d) non-governmental organizations,
(e) other human rights bodies, and
(f) individual nominations.
Application
To apply for the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
- complete the online survey (http://ohchr-survey.unog.ch/index.php/858683) and
- submit the application form in Word format, which can be accessed by clicking on the Special Rapporteur mandate in the table here. Once fully completed (including Sections VII and VIII), the application form in Word format should be submitted by email to [email protected].
A maximum of up to three reference letters can be attached, in pdf format, to the application sent by email by the deadline. This is optional. No additional documents such as CVs, resumes or supplementary reference letters beyond the first three received will be accepted.
Candidates who submit incomplete applications or who do not complete both parts of the application process prior to the expiration of the deadline will not be taken into consideration. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at a later stage.
For more information, visit UN OHCHR is looking for a Special Rapporteur.
