EU Human Rights Education Officer

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

UNDP Pakistan’s Decentralization, Human Rights and Local Governance (DHL) project is a multi-sector project aimed at strengthening rights-based development, community stabilization, gender equality and social inclusion across all regions and provinces of Pakistan. The core objective of the project is to ensure inclusive and equitable service delivery by providing technical assistance and capacity development support to relevant federal ministries, provincial line departments, statutory bodies, civil-society and private sector organizations. A key aim is to support the creation of an enabling environment for accelerated access to rights, people centered justice and people centered security. The project is aimed at institution building while connecting with vulnerable and at-risk communities to build trust between rights holders and duty bearers, for inclusive, expeditious and transparent access to rights and services. The Project will work with key UN partner agencies including OHCHR, UNHCR, UNWOMEN, ILO and IOM in line with the One-UN strategy to leaving no-one behind. Key beneficiaries will include vulnerable and at-risk men, women, girls, transgender persons, persons with disabilities as well as marginalized and vulnerable populations in general. UNDP will leverage its partnerships with government, statutory bodies, private sector and civil-society stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels for the institutionalization of a rights-based approach to development across Pakistan.

The EU Human Rights Officer works under the general supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and will report to the Rights Based Development Expert.

Coordinate effective project planning and implementation.

• Support the Rights Based Development Expert in the implementation and planning process of the EU funded Human Rights Project, with a particular focus on human rights in higher education. Incorporate ideas to promote access to higher education opportunities for the most vulnerable populations and the inclusion of human rights best practices in higher education curricula.
• Lead planning, monitoring, and optimizing the utilization of resources to ensure the successful achievement of project objectives and results outlined in the project document, with a particular focus on advancing human rights education and promoting the participation of the most vulnerable populations in higher education. Provide subject matter technical advice and support to the team, ensuring timely delivery of outputs within budgetary and quality standards. 
• Regularly share updates from international partners, especially the European Union, on developments that may impact project implementation. This includes conducting regular research on the latest developments in the European Union higher education space that may impact the project’s partnerships and its implementation. 
• Ensure that the Rights Based Development Expert is supported for implementation of the planned human rights education initiatives in alignment with the Project’s overall work on business and human rights, access to environmental justice and social inclusion. 
• Keep track of progress against deliverables of Individual Contractors, Vendors, Implementing Partners and private sector organisations contracted by the Project to ensure timely and quality delivery of the human rights education programme. 
• Support the Rights Based Development Expert to develop a strategy to establish a centre for human rights education. He/she will liaise with counterparts in public academic institutions and others relevant higher education institutions to ensure effective project implementation. 
• Facilitate the establishment of inclusive platforms: Foster the creation of interactive and inclusive education platforms for project implementation, specifically designed to advance distance learning opportunities for students from remote areas, promote women’s access to education and encourage the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in higher education. Collaborate with other program units, project teams and implementing partners to integrate critical development issues, including gender equality and women's empowerment, into project activities and expected outputs.
• Ensure compliance with UNDP policy and program management procedures: Ensure that all implementation activities align with UNDP policies and program management procedures, with a particular emphasis on a gender equality perspective, promoting women's empowerment, and facilitating women's leadership in line with the local context.
• Ensure that planned interventions align with Pakistan’s international human rights obligations, federal and provincial human rights legislation, inclusive educational practices and are predicated on academic standards from EU institutions. 
• Manage operational aspects: Oversee the operational management of the assigned portfolio, including timely procurement of goods, services, and infrastructure (if applicable), effective management of human resources, technical resources, and financial resources, with a specific focus on promoting human rights education, facilitating academic exchanges and the creation of career opportunities in human rights related fields.

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages: Establish and nurture strong relationships and strategic linkages with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, institutions of higher education, the European Union Delegation in Pakistan and academic partners in the EU. Engage with government officials, academia, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and meaningful participation of these key stakeholders in the assigned portfolio.
• Provide capacity development support to the Higher Education Commission, National Human Rights Institutions and partner universities on rollout of key initiatives under the EU Human Rights Project, such as the development of a human rights education curriculum, development of education modules and the establishment of internship opportunities.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis: Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify potential partners that can contribute to the human rights education landscape. Determine the best approaches to leverage their participation and strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives.
• Establish and maintain strategic connections and linkages with academia: Map relevant higher education institutions, develop and maintain relationships with universities and institutions in order to achieve key objectives with academia under the EU project.
• Engage with government officials, businesses, CSOs and NGOs: Engage with relevant stakeholders to support key objectives and ensure inclusive implementation and meaningful participation of these key stakeholders in the assigned portfolio.
• Provide technical support to implementing partners in line with the European Convention on Human Rights: Offer technical support and guidance to the Ministry of Human Rights, the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and the National Commission for Human Rights. Act as a liaison between UNDP and these partners, facilitating effective communication and collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of project activities and the achievement of project objectives.

Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities and achieving the targets set.

• Review and update the results framework: Review the results framework of the assigned portfolio and update indicators, baselines, and targets, taking into consideration the specific needs and priorities of partner universities, civil society organizations and relevant public sector organisations. Develop clear strategies and an effective system for data collection, means of verification, and information sharing and reporting, to provide advice for alignment with UNDP guidelines.
• Monitor implementation and progress: Monitor the implementation of activities and progress in achieving goals and targets, with a particular focus on human rights education, gender equality and inclusion for Persons with Disabilities. 
• Prepare reports: Prepare corporate, donor, and government reports in line with the reporting schedule and requirements set by UNDP and the EU, and any other relevant donors. Ensure that the reports accurately reflect the contributions and achievements of project partners, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
• Coordinate closely with the Operations team to support the financial management of NGOs, civil society organizations, and implementation partners involved in the project.
• Any other tasks as assigned by the Chief Technical Advisor.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s).

• Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities: Organize training sessions, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders from the government, academia, NGOs, donors, the private sector and other relevant partners. Ensure that these activities specifically address social inclusion, Pakistan’s human rights obligations, women empowerment, environmental justice and the rule of law.
• Identify, synthesize, and document best practices and lessons learned: Identify and document best practices and lessons learned generated from the project and its implementing partners in the areas of human rights education, inclusive pedagogical practices and creation of career opportunities in human rights. Synthesize this knowledge and share it with stakeholders, enabling wider dissemination and replication of successful approaches.
• Participate in knowledge networks and communities of practice: Actively participate in knowledge networks and communities of practice related to project issues, such as human rights education, inclusive pedagogical practices and the creation of viable career opportunities in the human rights space. Share insights and contribute to discussions, drawing on project experiences. Support the establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for knowledge dissemination, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and support UNDP's engagement in these areas.
• Promote advocacy on development trends and collaboration opportunities: Collaborate with relevant project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP’s Communications Unit to raise awareness, engage in policy dialogues, and advocate for meaningful change. Utilize communication channels and platforms to amplify the project's impact.
• Perform other duties within the functional profile: Fulfil other duties within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization, specifically focusing on human rights education, business and human rights, and the rule of law. This may include providing support in related project activities, contributing to policy development, and addressing emerging issues and challenges in the field.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

• 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.
• 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
• 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.

Partnership management     

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

2030 agenda: Peace          

• Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Safeguarding human rights and protecting vulnerable groups