2. 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

3. PARIS PRINCIPLES AND INDEPENDENCE
Legal
Operational
Policy
Financial
Membership

4. 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

5. 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”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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?

12. 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