ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS THE PARIS PRINCIPLES ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS seo ppt Based on Kjaerum, M. (2003). National Human Rights Institutions Implementing Human Rights UN’s Professional Training Series No. 4 - National Human Rights Institutions OHCHR Fact Sheet 19 The Paris Principles

PARIS PRINCIPLES AND INDEPENDENCE Legal Operational Policy Financial Membership

INDEPENDENCE AND SEOs The requirement of independence applies to the whole institution Independence from political direction outside the institution Independence from civil service direction outside the institution Independence from donors Independence of thought and action

PARIS PRINCIPLES AND STAKEHOLDERS “effective cooperation” with stakeholders advising and reporting to government “teaching of and research into human rights … in schools, universities and professional crcles” “making use of all press organs” “cooperate with the United Nations, … regional institutions and the national institutions of other countries”

STAKEHOLDERS AND SEOs Identify all relevant stakeholders, that is, those who are likely to have an interest in the work of the institution Identify the nature of the likely interest of each category of stakeholder, including whether it will be supportive or hostile to the institution Develop a strategy to deal with each category of stakeholder, to maximise support and minimise opposition

KEY STAKEHOLDERS Government (national, provincial, local) Ministers Parliament Civil service Non-government organisations Human rights generalists Specialists in particular issues Trade unions, business and professional associations Academics Religious and community leaders Opinion leaders, including media

POSSIBLE ATTITUDES OF STAKEHOLDERS Supportive: how does the institution capitalise on the support and ensure that it is expressed? Hostile: how does the institution identify and neutralise potential opposition? Neutral: how does the institution educate, convince and activate the support of those not yet committed on the issue?

PARIS PRINCIPLES AND INFRASTRUCTURE “The national institution shall have an infrastructure which is suited to the smooth conduct of its activities” Resources: staff and financial Strategic plan, with clear objectives and goals with measurable indicators Clear priorities Evaluation

COMMISSIONERS AND SEOs Appointed and accountable through executive and legislative processes Appointed by and accountable to the Commission Set strategic framework and strategic plan for institution Implement the strategic plan Decide broad policy issues and directions Advise institution on policy and implement policy No direct management responsibility Management responsibility Approve budget Authorise expenditure within budget Appoint and supervises the SEO Appoint and supervise all other staff

REQUIREMENTS IN A SEO Education and training Knowledge Experience School or university? What disciplines are relevant? Knowledge What areas? Experience What kind? How many years? Personal attributes What kind of person? What kind of skills?

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS? Formal: further study with formal degree or certificate? Informal: courses, seminars – what can the APF offer? Experiential: learning through doing field work and visits in own country visits to other national institutions – APF role visits to UN agencies and forums