CHIEF OF SERVICE, HUMAN RIGHTS

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 242,613 USD and 306,152 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Branch, Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division (CTMD) within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Director of CTMD.

Responsibilities

Under the general guidance of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the direct supervision of the Director, CTMD, the incumbent will:

Provide substantive, technical and administrative support to the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism (UPR) of the Human Rights Council. - Directs and supervises the implementation of the Voluntary Fund for Participation in the Universal Periodic Review and the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the Universal Periodic Review. - Directs and supervises preparations and the substantive servicing of the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism. - Directs and supervises the timely preparation of all reports for the Universal Periodic Review. - Allocates and coordinates resources for the preparation and holding of UPR sessions, in coordination with the United Nations Office in Geneva and other United Nations organizational entities and the host country, as required. - Monitors the proceedings, deliberations, resolutions and other decisions of the Human Rights Council, in the context of UPR, identifies their political and policy implications for OHCHR and the United Nations System as a whole, facilitates interaction among the Member States, observers, civil society and other United Nations entities. - Oversees the follow-up and implementation of the UPR recommendations by other OHCHR organizational units; coordinates and liaises, as required, with other United Nations bodies and entities in this regard. - Oversees dissemination of information on all aspects of the Human Rights Council activities and decisions to Member States, inter-governmental organizations, United Nations specialized agencies, funds and programmes, NGOs and other civil society entities, in relation to the UPR. - Supervises the preparation of political cables and journal cable to United Nations Headquarters analytical notes on the outcome/proceedings of the UPR sessions. - Ensures adequate representation of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at Universal Periodic Review sessions. - Liaises with stakeholders during and between the UPR Session. - Performs other UPR-related duties as may be required.

Advises OHCHR senior management and raises awareness about the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism activities and recommendations. - Draws to the attention of the High Commissioner, the Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) the Director of the Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division and other managers and OHCHR staff as well as other parts of the Secretariat and the United Nations system to all pertinent information and recommendations emanating from the Human Rights Council, its subsidiary bodies and mechanisms as far as they relate to the UPR. - Promotes awareness about Universal Periodic Review deliberations and decisions in the framework of efforts to enhance human rights protection systems at national level. Develops and directs efforts in this regard.

Leads and manages the Universal Periodic Review Branch - Ensures the preparation of the annual proposed programme budget components pertaining to the mandate and activities of the Branch, ensuring consistency with other parts of OHCHR; ensures the preparation of periodic cost plans and financial implications statements for draft Universal Periodic Review resolutions and decisions; defends the Branch's resources requirements before United Nations legislative bodies and with Member States, as required; monitors expenditures against allotments; evaluates achievements, recording operational experience and incorporating learning into the Strategic Framework and programme budget. - Implements the programme of work, ensuring that it is carried out in an efficient and timely fashion, in accordance with legislative mandates, High Commissioner's directives and established United Nations policies and procedures. - Manages the human resources allocated to the Branch with a view to ensuring their most effective use and delivery of high quality output, assigning responsibilities, training, coaching and setting performance objectives for staff of the branch, undertaking regular reviews of performance including the E-Performance, recognizing good performance and taking appropriate action to address inadequate performance and fostering teamwork and communication among staff of the branch and across organizational boundaries. Manages Branch vacancies, including through the interview and evaluation of candidates. - Manages the preparation of, and leads, meetings, briefings and seminars for Member States, other United Nations entities, NGOs and civils society organizations, OHCHR organizational units, etc., on substantive organizational issues relating to the activities and responsibilities of the Branch. - Represents OHCHR in consultations with Member States, inter-organizational and other meetings dealing with Universal Periodic Review-related issues.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• 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.

• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, political sciences, international relations or related area. 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or related field is required.

Experience leading large teams of professionals is required.

Out of the fifteen years, at least five (5) years of field experience in promoting and protecting human rights is desirable.

Experience working with human rights mechanisms is desirable.

Experience working within the United Nations Common System or similar international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French, (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 October 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.