Human Rights Officer

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 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 This position is located within the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The Human Rights Officer will be based in Zalingei and will report directly to Chief Human Rights Section.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Coordinates, supervises and conducts human rights monitoring activities in compliance with United Nations (UN) methodology and relevant to the observance of international human rights and humanitarian law in the mission area; - Coordinates the monitoring of and evaluates the legal system and its compliance with international human rights instruments and advises, where appropriate, relevant authorities including on the implementation of UN recommendations; - Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other type of communications in compliance with established standards, including public human rights reports; - Coordinates with UNAMID Women Protection Advisors including in respect of the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements; Supports Women's Protection Advisors in the mission by providing technical expertise on the monitoring, investigations and reporting of conflict-related sexual violence as mandated and relevant to the peace mission; - Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area, including for peace processes; - Assists national authorities in their coordination and evaluation of activities relating to the implementation and follow-up of recommendations by UN Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and other mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council; - Ensures the integration of UN-developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting, protection and investigation activities; - Ensures, coordinates and supervises the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database; conducts quality control and delivers statistics and trend reports as required; - Establishes, as needed, baseline data for the appropriate monitoring of the human rights situation in the mission area; - Devises advocacy strategies, advocates and advises relevant authorities, including government officials, the UN Country Team (UNCT), UN and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) senior management, on strategies to better protect and promote human rights and mechanisms to stop impunity and redress human rights violations; - Establishes and maintains contact with national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with complementary mandates , and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advise on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights; - Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora as appropriate; - Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other UN and non-UN actors, national authorities, donors and other stakeholders for effective policy coordination; - Assists in the development, coordination and implementation of the human rights work plan; evaluates or assists in the evaluation of its progress and suggests adjustments as needed; - Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls' rights issues in all activities, programmes and strategies; - Trains, coaches and supervises new and junior staff, manages their performance, and assists in training needs assessments;

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Proven sensitivity to the political and social environment and ability to adjust behaviours accordingly; Expert knowledge of human rights principles, international mechanisms and of related concepts, including protection of civilians, transitional justice, humanitarian action, DDR, legislative and rule of law reforms, gender mainstreaming and conflict-related sexual violence, as well as good understanding of issues related to the integration of human rights in UN peace missions; Ability to produce in-depth analysis of political, ethnic, racial, gender-based, social, economic and other human rights-related problems to assess their impact and to provide concrete strategy recommendations to redress situations; Comprehensive knowledge of institutional mandates, organizational structures and policies within the UN, guidelines and methodologies relating to human rights; Capacity to maintain effective working relationships with other UN, NGO, state and/or government stakeholders and to advocate for the respect and integration of human rights in various fora; Ability to seek new and improved methods of work, to share best practices and to incorporate lessons learned in the work of the human rights component; Capacity to relate to and integrate human rights issues and perspectives into other fields, including humanitarian action, development, rule of law, legislation reforms and election support, to human rights issues and activities and vice versa; 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.

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 AND 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.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in field and headquarters locations at national and international levels in the human rights field, including in the cause and resolution of human rights conflicts in accordance with international standards, is required. Human Rights monitoring, reporting and project management experiences are required. A minimum of one year's experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organisation or non-governmental organisation – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Experience in conducting human rights engagement with national stakeholders including national authorities etc., international partners and UNCT is required. Experience conducting human rights investigations is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic 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 until 31/12/2020. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will 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 are not 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.

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.