Associate Human Rights Officer

Update

The Human Rights Adviser in MCO Samoa in whose team the UNV will work, seeks to ensure the meaningful participation of women, children, persons with disabilities, networks of Human Rights Defenders and other civil society actors. S/he/works closely and constructively with partners in the Governments of Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue in support of their engagement with international human rights mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review, treaty bodies and special procedures. In doing so, s/he/they forge partnerships with local stakeholders, CROP regional organisations and UN agencies. There is a need to widen and deepen the space for engagement of/with other groups such as LGBTQIA+, indigenous people and local communities, including in relation to the right to environment and climate change. Women Human Rights Defenders’ intersectional efforts to work on land and environmental issues need increased support.

Under the overall supervision of the Pacific UN Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Representative and direct, delegated supervision of the Human Rights Adviser, RCO MCO Samoa, based in Apia, the Associate Human Rights Officer will be expected to support capacity building, technical assistance, research and human rights monitoring activities in the Pacific and undertake the following tasks:

1) Contribute to building civic space through the strengthening of networks for land and environmental human rights defenders working to address impacts of climate change in Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue, amplifying their voices and participation in decision-making processes. Link this capacity building to the wider engagement by the Regional Office.

2) Contribute to engagement by partners in Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue with international human rights mechanisms (UPR, treaty bodies, special procedures). Link this work to the wider engagement by the Regional Office.

3) Contribute to engagement on women’s rights, gender equality and the nexus with a variety of other human rights issues, including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, climate justice, economic empowerment, access to education and healthcare.

4) Support the Regional Representative, Deputy Regional Representative and Human Rights Adviser in the drafting of a variety of internal and external reports, communications, briefings, statements, including to policy-making bodies;

5) Engage in educational and promotional activities in the country to raise awareness on the linkages between human rights, gender equality, the environment and climate change;

6) Performs other human rights-related duties as required.