Ivan Šimonovi? assumed his functions as the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect in 2016. In 2010, he was appointed Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, heading OHCHR's New York Office. Before joining the United Nations, he held the position of Minister of Justice of Croatia. He has experience and has published extensively in the fields of international relations, law, human rights, and development of national institutions. In an expert capacity, he has been a member of the Council of Europe's Commission for Democracy through Law and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, as well as the Agent of the Republic of Croatia before the United Nations International Court of Justice.