Background

UNDP in Viet Nam provides support in the areas of democratic governance and participation, inclusive and equitable growth, and sustainable development, climate change and disaster risk reduction. As the world is seeking to address the effects of challenges such as the climate crisis and protracted conflicts, the importance of strengthening the rule of law and respect for human rights has become increasingly apparent. In 2020, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched the “Call to Action for Human Rights”, firmly placing human rights at the center of UN action as enablers for the achievement of SDGs and the pledge of leaving no one behind.

Against this background, UNDP in Viet Nam puts a human rights-based approach at the heart of all country development efforts, working with State and non-state partners to make sure that everyone has equal right and opportunity to participate meaningfully in governance processes and influence decisions that affect them. In particular, UNDP advocates for and supports participatory approaches and upholding the principle of “nothing about us without us” in all planning and policymaking. This includes in emerging issues such as governance for a just energy transition and ensuring a human rights-based approach to all climate change action.

Across policy areas, UNDP promotes increased alignment between domestic law and international human rights standards for better respect, protection, and fulfilment of human rights for all people, including LGBTIQ+, persons with disabilities, detainees, prisoners, and others who are often marginalized or at risk of being left behind. This includes efforts to ensure the right to a fair trial for every person accused of a crime, particularly in serious criminal cases that may result in the death penalty. In addition, UNDP promotes efforts to ensure that the death penalty is applied in a restrictive manner in line with international human rights standards, and advocates for further limiting its scope and application.

Human rights portfolio

UN Human Rights Mechanisms:

Supporting Viet Nam in implementing and reporting on its human rights obligations, UNDP works closely with Government agencies under several UN human rights mechanisms. This includes the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Convention against Torture (CAT), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In addition, UNDP Vietnam aims to ensure meaningful and inclusive participation and consultation of multi-stakeholder in reporting on and monitoring the implementation of Viet Nam’s human rights commitments.

Participation and representation:

UNDP in Viet Nam is working with government institutions, academia, civil society organizations and development partners to improve inclusiveness, non-discrimination, and representation of all stakeholders in governance issues. Removing barriers preventing the active and meaningful participation of specific population groups in governance, with an emphasis on women, and women organisations, movements and networks; young people, and youth organisations, movements and networks; and other historically marginalised population groups like persons with disabilities, displaced people and refugees and their organisations. Barriers may include capacities (technical, financial, economic) as well as social norms. We also support capacity development, knowledge generation, and technical assistance to strengthen integrity, gender equality, youth participation, and the overall inclusiveness (LNOB, PwDs, LGBTIQ+) and effectiveness of electoral systems and processes.

Human rights-based approach to complex and emerging challenges:

UNDP in Viet Nam supports the Government in developing and implementing the National Action Plan on Business and Human rights and promotes the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights. Human rights and climate change nexus – the role of women, PWD, Youth, Migrants and Ethnic Minorities. UNDP also works to promote the right to a fair trial of the accused in particular serious criminal cases, and the application of international human rights standards applicable to the death penalty, with a view to establishing a moratorium on executions and promoting the abolition of the death penalty.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Human rights & Inclusive Governance Analyst – Governance & Participation Unit, the Human rights & Inclusive Governance Intern will assume the following tasks:

The Intern is expected to contribute to the delivery of Project Activities under the Governance and Participation Team, particularly related to UN human rights mechanisms, the right to a fair trial, energy governance, and other emerging issues such as the human rights and climate change nexus. The Intern will have the following assignment of responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance to the design and implementation of project activities in the related fields, including project design, technical advisory, basis research, and drafting briefing notes, talking points, and other materials to support UNDP senior management.

• Contribute to administrative and logistics management, including coordinating and organizing workshops, events and meetings, proofreading of documents, etc.

• Assist in creating social media and communication content on topics and activities related to human rights, rule of law and access to justice, and emerging issues including energy governance and the human rights and climate change nexus;

• Identify opportunities for resource mobilization to expand UNDP’s work in these areas. Lead the development of funding proposals and provide technical support to the development of related funding proposals, if required.

• Contribute to the design and delivery of activities beyond the areas mentioned, as part of a team, when needed;

The Intern is expected to be flexible regarding the scope of tasks, and support activities under the Governance and Participation Team as needed, particularly under the Human Rights Portfolio.

Competencies

• Teamwork: ability to work in a diverse team with different nationalities

• Innovation: ability to make new and useful ideas work

• Communication: ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

• Delivery: ability to get things done

Required Skills and Experience