Antecedentes

Rapid and continued economic dynamism has translated into growth and reduced poverty levels in a number of countries in Asia and the Pacific. Greater foreign direct investments and capital movements, accentuated by higher regional mobility, are reasons for further optimism for future regional growth. This progress has however also often come at the expense of the human rights of marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the interest of investments and financial gains.

At the global level a momentum is starting to pick up with more and more governments and companies taking action on business and Human Rights. The endorsement in 2011 by the Human Rights Council of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provided a long awaited and needed framework of standards accepted at the international level as the main reference framework. The Guiding Principles consist of three pillars: a) The State duty to protect Human Rights; b) the corporate responsibility to respect Human Rights; c) the need for greater access to remedy for victims of business related abuses. The Human Rights Council recommended all states to adopt a National Action Plan on the implementation of the Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework.

Though Asia Pacific lags somewhat behind other regions in following up on the implementation of the Guiding principles, there are encouraging signs of companies and governments increasingly more ready to embrace the new set of standards.

To support the implementation of the Guiding Principles in Asia-Pacific, UNDP Regional Hub has  launched the initiative “Supporting Regional and National Partnerships for the implementation of the UN guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Asia Pacific”

The goal of this regional initiative is to build on Regional Institutions to increase the level of compliance of states and businesses with international human rights standards. It will aim to achieve this by strengthening the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights through four principal outputs. Under the first, regional strategies will be developed and states will adopt National Action Plans on business and human rights; under the second, decision-making on business and human rights will be expanded to include CSOs and marginalized groups; under the third, NHRIs will improve their capacities to oversee the compliance of states with the UN Guiding Principles and deal with cases of transboundary nature. The fourth output will expand access to remedies for victims of human rights violations through a provision of legal aid, strategic litigation and raising legal awareness. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

The intern will work under the direct supervision of the Crisis Prevention and Rule of Law Specialist, Governance and Peacebuilding Team, UNDP BRH. In this context, as a team member, s/he will assist in all the activities part of the Business and Human Rights Initiative.

Details are as follows:

Research:

• Assist in collecting and  analyzing data on the implementation of the UNGP on B&HR in countries in Asia Pacific;
• Assist in preparing awareness raising material and knowledge management products.

Coordination:

• Engage and build working relationships with authorities and Institutions working on B&HR;
• Assist in organizing and participating in scoping missions, workshops and training sessions

Other:

• Support other program related activities.

Competencias

• Demonstrate commitment to the UN’s core values;
• Respects individual, gender and cultural differences in dealing with others;
• Treat all people fairly without favoritism;
• Knowledge of UN Human Rights Architecture, the Bill of Rights and the main Human Rights Treaties.  

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher), or;
• Enrolled in a final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent), or;
• Graduated with a Master’s degree and if selected, must start the internship within one year after graduation.

Experiences:

• Understanding of and interest in Human Rights;
• Experience in research activities;
• Experience in using Microsoft Office;
• Experience working with NGO/CSO/GO on human rights and communications issues would be desirable;

Language:

• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Conditions:

• UNDP internship programme does not provide a salary or remuneration for the internship;
• All the expenses connected with the internship will be borne by the intern, sponsoring Government or institution;
• UNDP accepts no responsibility for costs arising from accidents and/or illness or death incurred during the internship;
• The intern is responsible for obtaining necessary visas and arranging travel to and from the duty station where the internship will be performed;
• Interns are not eligible to apply for any post in UNDP during the period of the internship;
• Interns must provide proof of enrollment in health insurance plan;
• Interns are not staff members and may not represent UNDP in any official capacity.

Subsequent Employment:

• There is no expectation of employment with UNDP following an internship.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals of diverse sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression as well as from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.