- ImpactWe help parliaments to become greener and to implement the Paris agreement.We support democracy by strengthening parliamentsWe work to increase women’s representation in parliament and empower women MPs.We defend the human rights of parliamentarians and help them uphold the rights of all.We help parliaments fight terrorism, cyber warfare and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.We encourage youth participation in parliaments and empower young MPs.We support parliaments in implementing the SDGs with a particular focus on health and climate change.
- Parliaments
Nearly every country in the world has some form of parliament. Parliamentary systems fall into two categories: bicameral and unicameral. Out of 190 national parliaments in the world, 78 are bicameral (156 chambers) and 112 are unicameral, making a total of 268 chambers of parliament with some 44,000 members of parliament. IPU membership is made up of 180 national parliamentsFind a national parliament
The Swiss National Council © The Swiss Parliament
We help strengthen parliaments to make them more representative and effective. - Knowledge
Discover the IPU's resources
Our library of essential resources for parliamentsGlobal data for and about national parliamentsLatest data and reports about women in parliamentResolutions, declarations and outcomes adopted by IPU MembersRecent innovations in the way parliaments workThe latest climate change legislation from the London School of Economics' databaseIPU on air- Conversations about parliamentary action
Junior consultancy, Human Rights Programme
Organizational setting and reporting relationships: The consultant will work in the Human Rights Programme of the Division of Programmes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. In performing his/her duties, the consultant will report to the Manager of the Human Rights Programme, the Human Rights Programme Officer and the Human Rights Project Officer.
Accountabilities: Within delegated authority, the consultant will be entrusted with the following:
- Preparing case reports, carrying out research, following and reporting on political developments, drafting correspondence and decisions in the context of the work of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians;
- Attending and reporting on meetings in Geneva of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the UN Committee against Torture, and other UN and civil society-related meetings;
- Assisting with the organization of IPU human rights events scheduled to take place during the consultancy;
- Assisting with the development and implementation of a rights-based approach within the IPU;
- Provide, as requested, other assistance in areas covered by the Human Rights Programme.
The work involves frequent interaction with the following:
- UN experts and staff;
- Representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations;
- Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff;
- Staff of the IPU Secretariat.
Competencies
Professionalism: good knowledge of the field of human rights in general, and in particular of the work of the UN human rights mechanisms; some knowledge of the role of parliaments in protecting and promoting human rights;
Communication: excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written;
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Qualifications
Education: Master’s Degree in Law or a related subject.
Professional: At least two years of progressively responsible experience working at national and international levels in the human rights or related fields. Experience with parliaments will be an advantage.
Language: Oral and written proficiency in English and French, including the ability of drafting to a high standard in at least one of these languages; knowledge of a third official UN language will be an advantage.
Dates and conditions
The consultancy will run from 1 March 2017 to 28 February 2018 and includes a 3-month probationary period. The consultant should be based in Geneva and will receive a consultancy fee of CHF 5,000 per month.