Human Rights Officer (JLG/LO 3)

JOB PURPOSE

Under the general direction of the Director- Human Rights, the Human Rights Officer (JLG/LO 3) will be required to support the Director in designing and implementing a robust Human Rights Public Education Programme and to educate technocrats and all Jamaicans on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and the role of the State in protecting people’s rights. Additionally, the Human Rights Officer (JLG/LO 3) will assist with the drafting of reports for international human rights organizations. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Provide sound and timely specialist advice to the Director- Human Rights;
• Participate in the development and implementation of National Human Rights Policies and Programmes to guide the State Machinery and provide documented standards;
• Participate in the promotion of Human Rights through a programme of education that reaches relevant government entities, primarily through tertiary levels schools and institutions, community groups and service clubs etc; 
• Participate in the development of mechanism to facilitate a right –based approach to the development of the development of policies, plans and programmes in order to promote the human rights as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and local human rights instruments; 
• Prepare response to Human Rights Complaints for the Director- Human Rights review and signature; 
• Liaise with Government Agencies and other International bodies to gather information on Human Rights issues/matters/concerns as directed by the Director- Human Rights;
• Create and maintain a data-based of Human rights programme and activities;
• Coordinate with relevant Government Agencies and stakeholders to ensure that expected results from programme implemented are delivered in a timely manner; 
• Assess the programme impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods used to verify progress and the results; 
• Prepare the progress report (progress against planned activities, update on Issues and expenditures) and submit the report to the Director- Human Rights; 
• Provide administrative support to the Unit by maintaining the Unit filing system, dissemination of information, dispatching documents and arrange meetings in consultation with the Director- Human Rights 
• Prepare monthly progress reports as well as unscheduled reports; 
• Assist with the development and implementation of systems and procedures for the effective coordination of work; 
• Assist with the development of work schedules accounting for the productivity of the Unit;
• Assist the Director- Human Rights to co-ordinate Human Rights programmes as required;
• Perform any other related duties. 

Performance Standards

• Sound and timely specialist advice to the Director- Human Rights
• Comprehensive progress reports 
• Effective mechanism to quantify productivity 
• Documented Human Rights Policies and Programmes 
• Timely and effective response to complaints, inquiries etc. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Strong client relations skills 
• Excellent planning and organizing skills 
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications 

Technical 

• Excellent presentation and advocacy skills. 
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills. 
• In-depth and extensive knowledge of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and Human Rights International Conventions 
• Excellent written and verbal communication including the ability to communicate legal information in a manner which can be understood by decision makers and users. 
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and convictions of purpose in unfavourable or unpopular situations 
• Problem solving and negotiation/facilitation skills and experience 
• Good strategic and analytical skills to enable them to advise on complex issues.
• IT skills in relation to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and MS Project and associated legal software. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Laws from an accredited University 
• Legal Education Certificate awarded by the Council of Legal Education
• A minimum of three (3) years’ legal experience