INTRODUCTION Overview of Goal and Objectives Overall Goal: The overall goal of the Toolkit is to provide concrete tools to help UNCT staff working with NHRIs. The focus is on tools that foster: 11 a good understanding of what an NHRI is; 11 knowledge about what works in terms of capacity development and assessment tools; 11 sound methodological approaches and ideas for training NHRI staff; 11 capacity development for UNCTs themselves; 11 tested and useful policy and budget monitoring tools, to support UNCTs in their work; 11 effective strategies to harness stronger collaboration between NHRIs, government, Parliament, judiciary and civil society; and 11 effective practices, procedures and resources, especially within the UN, when responding to requests for assistance regarding NHRIs during these phases. Based on this goal, the following basic objectives were identified by UNDP and OHCHR, as well as by the Toolkit project’s Core Steering Group and User Group. These objectives in turn form the basis of the structure of the Toolkit. Objective 1:  Clearly explain what an NHRI is and its relevance to UN Country Teams. Describe the context in which NHRIs operate, including the human rights framework at the national and international levels, and the special importance of NHRIs in both. Objective 2:  Identify different types of NHRIs, including regional specificities (by consolidating regional experiences) and existing guidelines. Objective 3:  Set out in detail the roles and responsibilities of NHRIs, including the human rights framework at the national and international levels with a focus on how NHRIs relate to the UN system. Objective 4:  Raise awareness about the importance of engaging with NHRIs as a vehicle for influencing better enjoyment of human rights by ensuring greater respect for the rule of law and the administration of justice, focusing on strengthening the core protection mandate of NHRIs especially as regards law enforcement, security institutions and detention facilities. Objective 5:  Highlight possible roles and added value of NHRIs in the larger development context, particularly on influencing development processes, with concrete case studies in areas such as participation in the formulation of poverty reduction strategies, decentralisation programmes, policy and budget monitoring. Objective 6:  Provide an overview of best practices, procedures and resources, especially within the UN, when responding to requests for assistance regarding NHRIs, including strategies for UNCTs to integrate support to NHRIs into the UN planning cycle for country programming. Objectives 7-9: Identify key challenges and opportunities for UNCT staff when called upon to support NHRIs during pre-establishment (7), establishment (8) and consolidation (9) phases, and provide specific guidance, guided by the international human rights framework and concrete case studies. Objective 10:  Provide guidance on the accreditation process, how and what support vis-à-vis non Paris Principle-compliant institutions, or those that have been downgraded by the International Coordinating Committee. Address selected country-level issues, and to some extent regional, that could have a direct impact on the functioning of a NHRI. Who this Toolkit is for This Toolkit is intended primarily to support UNCT staff who have little or no working experience with NHRIs, as well as those who have a better understanding, but nonetheless need practical tools and guidance to support the establishment, consolidation, or assessment of these important institutions. As well, those who work in other parts of the UN system may have an interest. Secondary audiences include NHRIs and civil society, as well as other partners in the development community who would like a better understanding of the UNCT perspective and approach. ix