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 168,113 USD and 216,746 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 in the Methodology, Education and Training Section (METS), Development and Economic and Social Issues Branch, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Section (METS).

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

Develops and coordinates the development of policies, methodologies and other guidance to support human rights monitoring, fact finding and investigations, including reporting, by OHCHR, Commissions of Inquiry and other relevant international, regional and national bodies; develops materials and tools, including templates, checklists, standard operating procedures and similar that foster standardization of human rights monitoring, fact-finding and investigation methods across OHCHR field presences, Commissions of Inquiry and fact finding missions; organizes expert and other meetings.

Provides expert advice on the implementation of policies and methodologies on human rights monitoring, fact finding and investigations and on the design of missions and activities in these areas to OHCHR staff at Headquarters and in field duty stations including peace operations,Commissions of Inquiry, Fact Finding Missions and other UN, regional and national bodies; carries out advisory services and supports missions as needed.

Oversees development, dissemination and updating of the Glossary of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including drafting new entries and shepherding them through the in-house review and publication process.

Identifies, documents and validates good practices with regard to human rights monitoring, fact finding and investigations methodology, integrates them in guidance and training materials and ensures dissemination as appropriate; facilitates lessons learned processes; reviews OHCHR and other actors’ practices, identifies gaps and needs where policies and methodologies need to be developed or updated to meet OHCHR institutional needs; develops partnerships and cooperative arrangements with specialized institutions.

Develops, coordinates and supervises the production of training materials on issues related to human rights monitoring, fact-finding and investigations, to strengthen the capacity of OHCHR, Commissions of Inquiry and international and national actors. This includes piloting, field testing and integrating lessons learned.

Delivers, designs and coordinates training and provides expert advice on human rights monitoring, fact-finding and investigations methodology to OHCHR staff at Headquarters and in field offices, Commissions of Inquiry and similar UN bodies, peace operations and national human rights actors, including government institutions, civil society and NGOs.

Reviews and provides feedback on reporting from OHCHR field presences, including peace operations, as part of OHCHR quality control process.

Performs other duties as required.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues; knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights and their implementation at the field level; knowledge of a range of conceptual and operational issues related to the design and conduct of human rights monitoring, investigations, fact finding, analysis and reporting knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law and their application to investigations; knowledge of information management practices and challenges; very good ability to develop conceptual frameworks and methodological and policy tools, carry out research and studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems and legal issues; strong analytical skills. 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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or other disciplines related to human rights is required. 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 At least 7 years of experience in the human rights field, including in field locations is required. At least 3 years of experience at the international level is required. Experience in the planning and conduct of human rights monitoring, fact-finding and investigations, including in the UN system or in comparable international organizations is required. Experience in the area of policy, methodology or other guidance development is required. Experience with Commissions of Inquiry is desirable. Experience in the design and delivery of training is desirable. Experience in legal analysis and drafting is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

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

Special Notice Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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.

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.

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.