HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (Temporary Job Opening) [Temporary]

This position is found in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Unit (FOTCD), New York. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Peace Missions Support Section (PMSS) under the direct supervision of the Unit Team Leader.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Plans and coordinates activities and manages programmes/projects, including budget submissions, work programmes and progress reports related to human rights compliance framework of regional organizations such as the African Union and the Force Conjointe G5-Sahel (FC-G5S), including from a gender perspective.
• Supports the integration of human rights in regional peace operations, including the FC-G5S.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country.
• Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
• Provides input to policy, best practices and guidance relevant to human rights components in peace missions and regional operations, including on protection of civilians, human rights due diligence on UN support to non-UN forces, sexual violence in conflict and peace building and assist in documenting best practices and lessons learned.
• Provides support to and follows-up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies.
• Advocates for human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions to be integrated into political, humanitarian and peace and security efforts and programmes by the AU and other partners.
• Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Assists regional forces of the AU and other partners to develop and implement frameworks to ensure compliance with human rights, international humanitarian law, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Supervises field verification work through periodic visits; follows up on different cases and situations verified by the regional offices.
• Represents UN human rights programme at working level meetings.
• Supports capacity-building efforts on human rights in region/country of assignment.
• Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies on key developments within the area of remit.
• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyze information and draft human rights reports. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.

Experience working in a UN field presence in a conflict or post-conflict context is desirable.

Experience conducting research and analysing information related to violations of human rights and/or international humanitarian law, and related responsibilities is desirable.

Experience in human rights monitoring, fact-finding and investigations is desirable.

Experience in human rights screening or vetting processes is desirable.

Experience in programme/project management is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable..

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) MONTHS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selectionwill be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process

including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period arenot eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required

functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.