Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a leading global organization dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights for all individuals. Established in 1993, OHCHR operates in various countries around the world, working to uphold international human rights standards and support the implementation of human rights obligations by states. The organization employs a diverse workforce of professionals committed to advancing human rights, with a mission to ensure that everyone can enjoy their rights without discrimination. OHCHR collaborates with national human rights institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders to foster a culture of human rights and accountability.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for developing an Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) monitoring tool that focuses on the rights to health and work, including social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, specifically tailored to the Malaysian context. This role involves conducting a situational analysis of the current status of these rights in Malaysia, identifying gaps and trends, and reviewing relevant international human rights standards and methodologies. The consultant will also engage with stakeholders to assess their needs and develop a comprehensive monitoring framework that aligns with international standards. The position requires a strong understanding of human rights principles and the ability to integrate these into practical tools for monitoring and evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include:

• Conducting a situational analysis of the rights to health and work in Malaysia, including a review of relevant reports and data sources.
• Mapping existing national laws and policies related to these rights and assessing their effectiveness.
• Developing a comprehensive ESCR monitoring tool that includes structural, process, and outcome indicators based on international human rights standards.
• Engaging with stakeholders to gather input and feedback on the monitoring framework.
• Organizing and facilitating a validation workshop to present the draft monitoring tool and gather further insights.
• Finalizing the monitoring tool and preparing a user guide for its application.
• Providing ongoing technical support to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) throughout the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law, human rights, political affairs, development studies, social sciences, international relations, economics, public health, public policy, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in economic, social, and cultural rights research and analysis in Malaysia is required. Experience in human rights monitoring, including the use of indicators and analysis of socioeconomic data, is essential. Familiarity with the workings of United Nations entities and national human rights institutions is desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as law, human rights, political affairs, or social sciences is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The educational background should provide a strong foundation in human rights principles and methodologies relevant to the position.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least five years of progressively responsible experience in the field of economic, social, and cultural rights, particularly in the Malaysian context. This includes experience in research and analysis related to human rights, as well as practical experience in monitoring and evaluation using indicators and benchmarks. Experience working with UN entities or national human rights institutions on related issues is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in Malay is required for this position, as it is essential for engaging with local stakeholders and understanding the context. Additionally, fluency in oral and written English is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with international partners and the preparation of reports and documentation.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for three months, from July 17, 2026, to November 20, 202

• The consultant will work full-time and is expected to adhere to the agreed workplan and timelines. Any changes to the scope of work or timeline must be mutually agreed upon by the consultant and SUHAKAM. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.