Human Rights Officer (Gender Adviser/SGBV Investigator)

Overview

Provide expertise on gender dimensions of human rights issues and violations

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations or a discipline related to human rights is required.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, international humanitarian law or international criminal law is required.
• A minimum of two years of experience working on women’s human rights, gender integration and/or on sexual and gender-based violence is required.
• Experience in providing gender analysis in human rights monitoring or human rights, international humanitarian law or criminal law investigations is desirable.
• Experience in working in or on the Asia Pacific region is desirable.
• A minimum of two years of experience in gathering evidence and interviewing victims and witnesses, including victims of sexual and gender-based crimes is desirable.
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

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 169,932 USD and 219,092 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 Sri Lanka accountability project (the Project) in the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD) of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in Geneva. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Investigation Team Leader.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer (Gender Adviser/SGBV Investigator) will be responsible for the following duties:

- Advises the Members of the Project on the gender dimensions of human rights violations and abuses and related crimes, including through gender analysis, advice on, training, ensuring integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Project;

- Researches, documents and collects information and evidence pertaining to violations of women’s human rights, sexual and gender-based violence and other gender issues directly related to the mandate of the Project, including violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and as appropriate, international criminal law;

- Builds up files on those allegedly responsible for gender-related violations and related crimes;

- Recommends referral pathways addressed to victims and survivors, in accordance with agreed methodology and strategy of the Project, as well as OHCHR’s methodology and full respect for the ‘do no harm principle’;

- Ensures proper documentation, collection, preservation of information, analysis and reporting on cases of sexual and gender-based violence and other gender-based human rights violations and abuses and that the gender-specific impact of violations is assessed, documented, analysed and reported by all members of the team;

- Conducts and/or assists the team in interviewing and evidence gathering activities, ensuring that necessary measures of protection and confidentiality for witnesses and victims are gender-sensitive;

- Participates in field missions for information gathering activities;

- Contributes to the drafting and timely submission of any report, recommendations and other analytical documents of the Project; ensure that such documents integrate gender perspective and that gender-sensitive language is used throughout them;

- Suggests gender-specific priority recommendations for any report, including on sexual and gender-based violence;

- Provides advice to the team on the integration of gender-sensitive information gathering methods including interviewing, security arrangements, witness and victim protection and safe information and data handling;

- Performs other 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.

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.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science, international relations or another discipline related to human rights is required. A first-level university degree in the mentioned fields of studies 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, international humanitarian law or international criminal law is required.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience working on women’s human rights, gender integration and/or on sexual and gender-based violence is required.

Experience in providing gender analysis in human rights monitoring or human rights, international humanitarian law or criminal law investigations is desirable.

Experience in working in or on the Asia Pacific region is desirable.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience in gathering evidence and interviewing victims and witnesses, including victims of sexual and gender-based crimes is desirable.

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

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.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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.

Potential interview questions