Human Rights Associate – Rule of Law

Mission and objectives

OHCHR’s office in Mexico works to ensure that institutions, Government authorities, and the United Nations Country Team have adequate information, understanding, and skills to identify human rights concerns and to develop measures to address them effectively. OHCHR-Mexico also works to ensure that civil society and human rights victims have increased awareness of human rights standards and mechanisms. Main activities are focused on technical cooperation and legal advice on harmonization of legislation, development of indicators on human rights, support the elaboration of public policies with human rights based approach, follow-up the international recommendations, gender and human rights, amongst other issues, and monitoring of human rights situation throughout the country, with emphasis on grave human rights violations (such as enforced disappearances and torture) as well as the situation of human rights defenders and journalists and the right of indigenous peoples to prior consultation. OHCHR-Mexico is divided into several functional units: Administration, Grave Human Rights Violations, Gender and ESCR, Democratic Space, Vulnerable Groups, Indicators and Public Communications. The UNV would be part of the Democratic Space Unit, which currently consists of a coordinator (international staff) and an international UNV. The Democratic Space Unit personally receives complaints of alleged human rights violations and gives legal orientation to victims, particularly human rights defenders, and journalists. The Democratic Space Unit also participates in field missions to follow up cases of alleged human rights violations, meeting with victims, family members of victims, local NGO´s and government authorities

Context

Mexico is undergoing one of the most significant transformations of its justice sector in decades. In 2025, the country held its first-ever popular elections for federal and local judicial posts. These reforms are reshaping the administration of justice and generating significant debate regarding their potential impact on judicial independence, due process, accountability, and access to justice. The reforms are unfolding in a broader context marked by persistent challenges to the rule of law, including high levels of impunity for serious human rights violations, concerns regarding the autonomy of justice institutions, and the need to preserve effective democratic checks and balances and guarantee legal certainty and access to justice. International and regional human rights mechanisms have raised concerns about aspects of the reforms that could weaken judicial independence and procedural guarantees. Within this context, OHCHR-Mexico works on monitoring, technical cooperation, advocacy, and engagement related to justice sector reforms, judicial independence, accountability for serious human rights violations, disappearances, and due process guarantees. The Office maintains dialogue with judicial authorities, prosecutors’ offices, legislators, public human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and victims’ groups, and has identified growing openness among some institutions to receive technical assistance and strengthen capacities in line with international standards. The overall objective of this UN Volunteer assignment is to support OHCHR’s work on rule of law, judicial independence, and accountability of new judicial institutions through legal research, monitoring, analysis, and technical cooperation. The assignment will provide exposure to OHCHR’s work on justice sector reform, accountability for serious human rights violations, and the application of international human rights standards in the administration of justice.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Justice and Security Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support monitoring and analysis of justice sector reforms, including reforms related to judicial independence and disciplinary systems.
• Conduct legal and policy research related to international human rights standards applica-ble to the administration of justice.
• Assist in drafting background notes, analytical documents, talking points and summaries related to rule of law issues.
• Support engagement with judicial authorities, prosecutors’ offices, civil society organiza-tions and victims’ groups.
• Monitor recommendations and jurisprudence from UN and regional human rights mecha-nisms related to justice and accountability.
• Support organization of workshops, trainings, consultations and technical meetings, to provide technical assistance to judicial authorities. During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Commitment and Motivation
• Communication
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Respect for Diversity
• Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Family duty station A Mexico City has well-developed infrastructure, including high-quality healthcare services, diverse housing options, banking services, public transportation, telecommunications, and a broad range of cultural and recreational facilities. Adequate educational facilities are available, including international, bilingual, and bicultural private schools, although places in some of the most sought-after schools may be limited. Mexico City is a major political, economic, and cultural hub in Latin America, offering a wide range of restaurants, cultural venues, museums, and public spaces. The city is located at an altitude of approximately 2,240 meters above sea level and generally has a mild climate throughout the year. Benito Juárez International Airport provides extensive domestic and international connections, facilitating travel within Mexico and abroad. The current security situation in Mexico is considered stable; however, common crime, including robbery, theft, and express kidnapping, remains a concern, particularly in large urban areas. Certain regions of the country continue to face elevated levels of violence linked to organized crime and insecurity. There is no direct threat specifically targeting UN personnel or other international organizations in Mexico. Nevertheless, personnel are expected to remain security-conscious and comply with applicable UN security guidance and protocols at all times. Movements within Mexico City can generally be carried out without restrictions, although staff members are advised to adopt standard security precautions, including maintaining situational awareness and avoiding high-risk areas or activities. Travel outside Mexico City, including field missions to states affected by insecurity, organized crime, social tensions, or institutional fragility, may require prior security clearance through the UNDSS system and must be undertaken in accordance with UN security procedures. The assignment may involve periodic travel to areas with heightened security risks or limited institutional presence. Flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and strict adherence to security protocols are essential. Conditions of Service The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.