Consultancy work

I work as an independent human rights law consultant for NGOs, UN, academia and governments. I also work in collaboration with a team of colleagues at Human Rights Tools Consultants, and with other trusted colleagues when the opportunity arises.

For non-governmental organisations

The work that I do for NGOs is diverse. In the past I have:

  • acted as a representative for NGOs to present information on their behalf to the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies or the Human Rights Council
  • facilitated campaigning and strategic planning workshops
  • trained at NGO workshops
  • researched and written reports
  • developed advocacy tools
  • developed training materials
  • conducted fact-finding and field missions

I have worked on issues such as children's rights, torture, discrimination, sexual orientation and gender identity, housing rights, right to food, and others.

I have worked with NGOs in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific, North America, and South America.

For the United Nations

I have undertaken a number of consultancies for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), both at country level and in head office.

For academic institutions and governments

For academic institutions and governments I have:

  • researched and written policy documents
  • drafted briefing materials for diplomats
  • trained diplomats
  • advised on drafting legislation
  • advised on the drafting of international treaties & conventions
  • advised government representatives both in capital and at UN forums

Human rights training

I have designed and facilitated training sessions for human rights advocates, diplomats, UN staff, and students on various topics including:

  • UN human rights mechanisms (such as the Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures, and the Human Rights Council)
  • human rights complaints procedures (regional and international)
  • the role of non-governmental organizations
  • human rights based approaches to development and programming
  • upholding human rights in the fight against terrorism
  • economic, social and cultural rights
  • civil and political rights

and other topics.

I have lectured, trained and/or presented in: Australia, Canada, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the USA and Vietnam.

Editing and proof reading

I have assisted with editing and proofing various human rights and international law books, articles and reports, including:

and various others.

I have also worked for Professors Susan Marks and Andrew Clapham to compile the resources for the online companion and the index to their book International Human Rights Lexicon (Oxford: OUP, 2005).