Consultant – Human Rights Defenders Capacity-Building At American Bar Association

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About ABA ROLI
For more than 30 years, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has worked in more than 100 countries to strengthen legal institutions, support legal professionals, foster respect for human rights, and advance public understanding of the law and citizens’ rights. Working with government agencies, the judiciary, lawyers, bar associations, legislatures, and civil society, we design programs that respond to local needs and prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges.

For more information about ABA ROLI, please visit: https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/rule_of_law/about.html .

About the Human Rights for All Project
The Human Rights for All Project aims to strengthen the Guatemalan human rights system so that all citizens are respected and protected. Through advocacy, education, awareness-raising and training, the project will promote a culture of respect for human rights to foster the development of Guatemala.

The goal of the Human Rights for All project is to strengthen Guatemala’s human rights system. This goal will be achieved through the following objectives: Objective 1: Improve the enabling environment to prevent and mitigate human rights abuses; Objective 2: Improve the protection of human rights; Objective 3: Increase the capacity of Guatemalan civil society and selected government entities to respond to human rights abuses.

Description of the consultancy
The Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists of the Human Rights Ombudsman Institution (PDH), within the framework of its constitutional mandate to protect and promote human rights in Guatemala, considers it essential to offer support to human rights defenders, journalists and justice operators, who face various risks in carrying out their work. In order to provide practical tools to strengthen their security and response capacity, the creation and implementation of a risk self-assessment guide is proposed.

This guide aims to enable defenders to identify and assess the risks to which they are exposed in their work environment, providing them with the necessary tools to take preventive measures to ensure their physical and psychological integrity. In addition, the implementation of this tool will contribute to strengthening the personal and operational security of defenders, improving their ability to make informed decisions in the face of risky situations.

The consultancy also seeks to foster a culture of prevention and collective support among defenders, promoting solidarity networks and security practices that reinforce the protection and sustainability of their work. In this way, the PDH continues its commitment to promote human rights in Guatemala, aligned with the principles established in national and international legislation, and reaffirming its role in strengthening democracy and the culture of human rights in the country.

Responsibilities

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current context in which human rights defenders operate in Guatemala, identifying the main risks and threats they face in the exercise of their work.
Prepare a detailed proposal for the content of the Risk Self-Assessment Guide for Human Rights Defenders, based on the diagnosis carried out and adapted to the specific needs and characteristics of defenders in the country.
Submit the content proposal to the Human Rights Ombudsman (PDH) for review and approval.
Making the necessary adjustments according to the comments and observations of the PDH team.
Final preparation of the Risk Self-Assessment Guide for Human Rights Defenders.
Collaborate with the PDH Social Communication Department for the layout and visual design of the guide.
Organize and carry out three workshops to disseminate the guide, aimed at the staff of the auxiliary offices of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office.

Main results

Product – Content – Month of 2025

1.Diagnosis of the situation of human rights defenders – March

Analysis of the current context in which human rights defenders operate in Guatemala, identifying the main risks and threats and the national and international legal framework.

2. Draft Risk Self-Assessment Guide – April

Draft Risk Self-Assessment Guide for Human Rights Defenders , based on the diagnosis carried out and adapted to the specific needs and characteristics of defenders in the country and validation exercise.

3. Approved Guide and Socialization Workshops – May

Final guide with adjustments based on comments and observations from the PDH team.

Workshops to disseminate the instrument will be held for staff at the auxiliary offices of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, located in Izabal, Guatemala City and Sololá. During the workshops, the guide will be presented, its content will be explained and practical training will be provided on its use and application.

Duration
The duration of the consultancy will not exceed 3 months, from March to May 2025.

Ratings

University degree in human rights, social sciences or related fields, preferably with postgraduate studies or a master’s degree.
Proven experience in the promotion and protection of human rights, with a preferential focus on working with human rights defenders.
Proactivity and ability to develop practical solutions in challenging contexts.
Commitment and sensitivity to the defence of human rights, demonstrating a deep interest in supporting the work of those who defend these rights in complex contexts.

Interested persons who meet the profile should apply by email, including:

Letter of interest
Details of the Curriculum Vitae (No more than 5 pages)
Financial claim (daily rate in dollars)
Unified Tax Registry (RTU)

Applications must be completed on the application webpage. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through February 10, 2025.
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its programs. Individuals who self-identify as belonging to marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented populations/communities are especially encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association , please call 312-988-5188.

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About ABA ROLI
For 30 years, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has worked in more than 100 countries to strengthen legal institutions, support legal professionals, foster respect for human rights, and advance public understanding of the law and citizen rights. In collaboration with government agencies, the judiciary, lawyers, bar associations, legislatures, and civil society, we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges.

For more information on ABA ROLI, please visit: https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/rule_of_law/about.html.

About the Human Rights for All
The Human Rights for All project aim to strengthen the Guatemalan human rights system so that all citizens are respected and protected. Through advocacy, education, awareness-raising, and capacity building, the project will promote a culture of respect for human rights to foster the further development of Guatemala.

The goal of the Human Rights for All project is to strengthen Guatemala’s human rights system, this goal will be advanced by the following objectives: Objective 1: The enabling environment to prevent and mitigate human rights abuses is enhanced; Objective 2: The protection of human rights is improved; Objective 3: The capacity of the Guatemalan civil society and selected government entities to respond to human rights abuses is increased.

Description of Consultancy
The Ombudsman’s Office for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office (PDH), within the framework of its constitutional mandate to protect and promote human rights in Guatemala, considers it essential to offer support to human rights defenders, journalists and justice operators, who face various risks in carrying out their work. In order to provide practical tools to strengthen their security and response capacity, the creation and implementation of a risk self-assessment guide is proposed.
This guide aims to enable defenders to identify and assess the risks to which they are exposed in their work environment, providing them with the necessary tools to take preventive measures to ensure their physical and psychological integrity. In addition, the implementation of this tool will contribute to strengthening the personal and operational security of defenders, improving their ability to make informed decisions in risk situations.

The consultancy also seeks to foster a culture of prevention and collective support among defenders, promoting solidarity networks and security practices that reinforce the protection and sustainability of their work. In this way, the PDH continues with its commitment to promote human rights in Guatemala, aligned with the principles established in national and international legislation, and reaffirming its role in strengthening democracy and the culture of human rights in the country.

Responsibilities

Conduct an exhaustive analysis of the current context in which human rights defenders operate in Guatemala, identifying the main risks and threats they face in the exercise of their work.
Elaborate a detailed proposal for the content of the Risk Self-Assessment Guide for Human Rights Defenders, based on the diagnosis carried out and adapted to the specific needs and characteristics of defenders in the country.
Present the proposed content to the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office (PDH) for review and approval.
Making the necessary adjustments according to the comments and observations of the PDH team.
Final drafting of the Risk Self-Assessment Guide for Human Rights Defenders.
Collaborate with the PDH’s Social Communication Department for the layout and visual design of the guide.
Organize and carry out three workshops for the socialization of the guide, directed to the personnel of the auxiliary offices of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office.

Key Deliverables

Product – Content – Month 2025

1.Diagnosis of the situation of human rights defenders. – March

Analysis of the current context in which human rights defenders operate in Guatemala, identifying the main risks and threats and the national and international legal framework.

2. Draft Risk Self-Assessment Guide – April

Draft Risk Self-Assessment Guide for Human Rights Defenders, based on the diagnosis carried out and adapted to the specific needs and characteristics of defenders in the country and validation exercise.

3. Approved guide and socialization workshops – May

Final guide with adjustments according to the comments and observations of the PDH team.

Conduction of workshops for the socialization of the instrument, directed to the personnel of the auxiliary offices of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, located in Izabal, Guatemala City and Sololá. During the workshops, the guide will be presented, its contents will be explained and practical training on its use and application will be provided.

Duration
The duration of the consultancy will be no longer than 3 months, from March to May 2025.

Qualifications

University degree in human rights, social sciences or related areas, preferably with postgraduate or master’s studies.
Proven experience in the promotion and protection of human rights, with a preferential focus on working with human rights defenders.
Proactivity and ability to develop practical solutions in challenging contexts.
Commitment and sensitivity to the defense of human rights, demonstrating a deep interest in supporting the work of human rights defenders in complex contexts.

Interested and qualified individuals should submit their applications by email, including: