MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Job Description and Specification
Job Title: Human Rights Specialist
Job Grade: JLG/LO 4
Post Number: 58985
Reports To: Director, Legal Services Division
Division: Legal Services Division
Manages: Human Rights Officer
This document is valid as an accurate and true description of the job signified below.
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POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the general direction of the Director, Legal Services, the Human Rights Specialist operates within broad guidelines, in a complex, highly sensitive and often contradictory environment, to uphold the ideals and dignity of every citizen as documented in relevant Human Rights Instruments, including the Jamaican Constitution. He/ She functions as the ministry’s link with other Ministries , Departments and Agencies and NGOs ;identifying human rights problems ,overseeing and facilitating the investigation and resolution of complaints; building relationships with local communities and advocacy groups; ensuring that the investigatory process is managed and working in compliance with Jamaican laws.
The Human Rights Specialist:
• provides assistance to persons, including the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged as they seek access to the justice system;
• coordinates and collaborates with independent and impartial groups, committees and commissions to assists in the promotion and protection of Human Rights;
• seeks to increase public awareness of Human Rights issues and concerns through public education and dissemination of information, and thereby contribute to a reduction in the violation of the Human Rights.
• leads the mainstreaming of human rights principles in policies, programmes and strategies
KEY OUTPUTS:
• Specialist advice given • Consultation with stakeholders • Monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports • Mechanism to quantify productivity • Document Human Rights Policies and Programmes • Respond to complaints, inquiries etc.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provides sound and timely specialists advice on Human Rights issues to the Director, Legal Services, Permanent Secretary and the Minister.
• Collaborates with the Communication Unit in the production and promotion of educational material to inform and educate the Civil Service, NGO, Media, Trade Unions, Schools and Colleges about Human Rights legislations and broader Human Rights issues;
• Collaborates with Government Agencies to respond to the United Nations, Regional and other International Bodies on non-contentious issues of Human Rights. 2
• Coordinates aspects of the Government’s Human Rights Programmes by bringing together responses from different agencies to clarify issues for individual and the public’s benefit.
• Complements the work of the Attorney General on Human Rights issues by assisting to gather information from Government entities as required.
• Produces reports and recommendations for submission to governments and other international organisations.
• Provides information relating to protecting the rights of witnesses and abused persons.
• Liaises with the Victim Services Division of the Ministry to ensure that relevant programmes and projects are consistent with best practices, internationally.
• Collaborates with operators of the Victim Charter and provide technical input for operations.
• Establishes set procedures and clear responsibilities when requested to assist with information gathering.
• Interfaces with local Lobby Groups to represent the Government and to reflect a positive Government public image.
• Acts as a central point of reference on behalf of clients in the tracking/ accessing of information from Government entities, so as to avoid undue delay and confusion and frustration for the clients.
• Collaborates with the Attorney General’s Chambers to follow up recommendations from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, to ensure that Government Agencies conform with the recommendations and thereby minimize those matters that might be overlooked from time to time.
• Speaks on Human Rights issues on behalf of the Government, as required in national and international fora.
• Provides accurate information on Human Rights issues to the Media on a prompt and consistent basis, as one means of weakening the perception that Jamaica is not fulfilling its main obligations under the various Human Rights Treaties to which we are party.
• Performs assignments as suggested by the Human Rights Consultative Committee and keeps the Committee informed of developments in respect of Jamaica’s human rights performance.
• Establishes a framework to enable the monitoring of Human Rights situation in the country;
• Leads the development of mechanism to facilitate a rights –based approach to the development of policies, plans and programmes in order to further the realization of human 3 rights as articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international and local human rights instruments
• Monitors complaints made by citizens and Human Rights groups about violations to identify trends which would inform the development of recommendations to reduce the instances of abuses;
• Develop a communication and information programme that would seek to inform complainants, respondents and witnesses of their rights and responsibilities under the various Human Rights laws;
• Prepare reports on the status of Human Rights in the country and submit to the Director, Legal Service and the Attorney General’s Department;
• Promotes a culture of rights and responsibilities within the Civil Service and other public authorities;
• Collaborate with PARU and the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service in ensuring that all areas of legislation, policy and administrative practices are in conformity with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other related Human Rights instruments;
• Lead the development of a conceptual, analytical and methodological framework for identifying, planning, designing and monitoring development activities based on international Human Rights standards;
• Promote the concept of identifying right holders and corresponding duty bearers in the development process;
• Advise on where necessary the development of laws, administrative procedures, practices and mechanisms to ensure the fulfillment of entitlements as well as opportunities to address denials and violations;
• Determine the capacity of MDAs to fulfill their obligations under the International Human Rights Acts as well as the capacity for right holders to claim their rights;
• Assemble case studies of impact of rights – based approach to the development of policies, programmes and strategies;
• Translate the perception of developmental needs into rights and the explicit interconnectedness of all aspects of the human condition;
• Identifies those social forces that impinge upon an individual’s ability to defend his/her rights;
• Identify areas which could be seen as Human Rights sensitive and advise and support Departments in these areas, e.g. Education, Health;
4 • Works with MDAs to promote the incorporation of the norms, standard and principles of the International Human Rights system into the plans, processes and policies for development;
• Translate universal standards into locally determined benchmarks for measuring progress and enhancing accountability;
• Advise on the incorporation of safeguards in development instruments to protect against threats to the rights and well-being of vulnerable and marginalized groups;
• Provide training to Managers in effective responses to complaints of harassment and discrimination;
Directs the work of the Human Rights Unit by:
developing systems and procedures for the effective coordination of work;
developing work schedules and accounting for the productivity of the Unit;
providing monthly progress reports as well as unscheduled reports;
developing and implementing National Human Rights Policies and Programmes to guide the State Machinery and provide documented standards.
CONTACTS
INTERNAL CONTACTS
POSITION REASON Minister of Justice To give advice and take directives Permanent Secretary To give advice and take directives Senior Officials in the Ministry To follow issues relating to work
EXTERNAL AGENCIES
• Attorney General’s Chambers • Office of the Public Defender • The Legal Aid Clinic • Commissioner of Police • Cabinet Office of the Cabinet • Ministry of Finance & the Public Service • Trade Unions 5 • Human Rights Lobby Groups • Religious Institutions • Community Groups • Schools and Colleges • Senior Officials in Government Agencies and Ministries • Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights • The Commission of Human Rights • The Human Rights Committee • The High Commissioner for Refugees • Organization of American States • Inter-American Commission on Human Rights • Commonwealth Human Rights Unit
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
• Sound and timely specialist advice to the Minister and Permanent Secretary • Comprehensive progress reports • Effective mechanism to quantify productivity • Documented Human Rights Policies and Programmes • Timely and effective response to complaints, inquiries etc. • Monitoring mechanism established to assure the incorporation of Human Rights principles in policies, plans, programmes and strategies; • Citizens are more aware of their rights and responsibilities and the avenues for redress • Policies and plans reflect the broad spectrum of rights articulated in the international system of human rights standards
KEY COMPETENCIES • Sound knowledge of international and national laws, and of human rights policies • Skilled negotiator • Knowledge of the full range of theories and principles of international Human Rights administration • Demonstrated commitment to civil rights or human rights • Highly developed tact and diplomacy skills • Knowledge of the machinery of Government • Intimately acquainted with the socio-political peculiarities of Jamaican environment and the ability to interact with persons at all levels of the society • Ability to impart information, to persuade and mediate • Ability to perform at high levels of effectiveness under stressful conditions • Ability to analyse Human rights Laws and familiarity with relevant procedures • Excellent written and oral communication skills • Ability to gather, research and organize complex information, conduct comparative analyses and make recommendations supported by identified facts; • Ability to share information with diverse audiences at meetings, public hearings, investigations and court trials
6 • Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict and exhibit creativity in problem – solving; • Ability to interpret and apply policy and legislation • Capable of sound analysis of a range of human rights issues
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• A Law Degree with specialization in Human Rights and five (5) years experience as Human Rights Specialist
• A Post Graduate Degree with an appropriate combination that covers training in International Relations, International Law and/or International Human Rights would be an asset
AUTHORITY
The position is not authorized to:
(1) commit the resources of the Ministry of Justice or other Government Agencies without the prior approval of the accountable officer (2) publicly declare the Government’s position on specific issues of Human Rights Violations without the prior approval of the accountable officer
WORKING CONDITIONS
Local and international travel Inside and outside of office conditions Long work hours and working on public holidays when necessary
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