Consultancy for the design of the overall architecture to operationalize the Public Policy for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala

Organizational Context

This consultancy is situated within the UN Secretariat, specifically the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Guatemala. It is part of the "Comprehensive Protection of Human Rights Defenders" project, funded by the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund, and involves coordination with UNDP and UNESCO. The role supports the State of Guatemala in operationalizing its Public Policy for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of this consultancy is to provide senior international-level technical assistance to the State of Guatemala, under the leadership of relevant state institutions (COPADEH, MINGOB, Public Prosecutor’s Office). The role focuses on designing the overall architecture to operationalize the Public Policy for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. This involves coordinating specialized consultancies funded by the Peacebuilding Fund project, ensuring coherence, relevance, and alignment with international standards. The consultancy aims to improve the institutional response, fostering a safer and more enabling environment for human rights defenders through comprehensive, decentralized protection mechanisms with gender and intercultural approaches. Specific objectives include strategic guidance for the protection system design, direct technical assistance to key partners, and ensuring a systemic vision across project consultancies.

Responsibilities

The consultant will prepare a detailed workplan outlining monthly activities and timelines. A key duty involves compiling and classifying international norms and standards on human rights defense applicable to Guatemala, alongside identifying comparable regional protection experiences. The role requires designing the institutional architecture for the protection system, proposing coordination structures among state institutions and civil society, and establishing reference frameworks for protocols and operational routes, including an action plan to combat impunity. Furthermore, the consultant will analyze and propose strengthening the Attack Pattern Analysis Mechanism (MINGOB) with a gender, cultural, and territorial approach, including a roadmap for its decentralization. Ongoing responsibilities include coordinating with other PBF project consultancies, providing technical feedback, methodological guidance, and participating in inter-agency meetings. Finally, the consultant will produce a comprehensive final report summarizing achievements, assessing coherence, identifying gaps, and offering strategic recommendations for the protection system's sustainability and effectiveness indicators.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in the protection of human rights defenders at national and international levels is required. This includes at least 5 years of experience in Latin America, specifically with journalists and human rights activists in Central America. Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating public policies and protection mechanisms for human rights defenders and journalists is essential, along with experience leading interdisciplinary teams.

Skills

Design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies and protection mechanisms. Leadership of interdisciplinary teams. Strategic guidance and technical assistance. Coordination and liaison. Analytical skills (gap analysis, attack pattern analysis). Methodological guidance. Fluency in Spanish and knowledge of English.

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