PRINCIPAL HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

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 209,535 USD and 264,412 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 within the Human Rights Unit of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). The Principal Human Rights Officer will serve as the Chief of the BINUH Human Rights Unit and the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Haiti. The Principal Human Rights Officer will report to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Haiti and with the substantive support and general policy guidance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Responsibilities Under the overall authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and with a reporting line to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose office provides the substantive support and general policy guidance, and in line with Security Council resolution 2476 (2019), the Principal Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Advisory and representative roles: 1. Acts as the Principal Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on all human rights promotion and protection activities, transitional justice, technical advice to state institutions, and reports on issues related to human rights and the work of the Human Rights component; 2. Provides advice on the good offices role to leverage political support for institutional changes required to make a significant impact on the enjoyment of human rights in Haiti, and leads the unit; 3. Acts as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Haiti, and reports to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva in this capacity; 4. Represents the Human Rights Unit and OHCHR at inter-agency meetings in the country and, in his/her capacity as OHCHR's representative, advises the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) to ensure that human rights issues are fully integrated into political, humanitarian and development efforts and programmes including with respect to the United Nations Development Assistance and Integrated Strategic Frameworks (UNDAF and ISF) as well as the Consolidated (Humanitarian) Appeal (C(H)AP) processes; 5. Advises the SRSG and leads as necessary the Mission's efforts on the human rights mandate from the peace and security to development agenda; 6. Advises Government and state institutions, including the Executive, police and others, in respect to specific human rights concerns, bringing to their attention actual and potential violations of international human rights law, and suggesting appropriate actions; 7. Represents the Mission and OHCHR on human rights matters during contacts with national and international organizations working in the field of human rights, diplomatic missions, donors, and other international actors; 8. Participates in the Mission’s internal policy and decision-making fora, notably all senior mission leadership fora, and advises on strategic, policy and operational decisions that may have human rights implications; 9. Participates in Senior Management Team meetings, informs its participants on the activities of the human rights component and recommends measures necessary or desirable for other sections of the BINUH to protect and promote human rights in Haiti, mainstream human rights and to implement a human rights-based approach;

Substantive Coordination: 10. Ensures coordination among all human rights activities present in the mission area; ensures the timely and effective flow of information and the channelling of human rights analysis and concerns for inclusion in crisis management and response; 11. Develops human rights monitoring strategy; 12. Ensures investigations of human rights violations are conducted and recommendations of conclusive reports are followed up with the Government; 13. Ensures the issuance of public reports in consultation with the SRSG and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in a timely and regular manner in accordance with current policy directives and guidance on public reporting by peace missions; 14. Provides advice at senior levels to the Government, including the Executive, police and prisons institutions, and others, in respect to specific human rights concerns, bringing to their attention actual and potential violations of international human rights and suggesting appropriate actions; 15. In close coordination with United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, other mission components, and other international actors, supports authorities and civil society at all levels to promote the human rights of those most vulnerable, including women and children, as well as human rights defenders, victims and witnesses; 16. Promotes and oversees initiatives linked to supporting and strengthening the national human rights promotion and protection system in the country, including through, inter alia, the establishment or reinforcement the Inter-ministerial Committee for Human Rights, the National Human Rights Institution (Office de la Protection du Citoyen), and relevant ministries, building civil society and state capacities and in setting protection programs; 17. Ensures, as the High Commissioner’s representative, that human rights considerations are reflected and integrated in humanitarian activities, including in emergency planning, preparedness and response, and through participating in and/or playing a lead role in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate; 18. Counsels the Government and advocates for compliance with international human rights standards in the drafting of legislation, including of the Constitution as relevant, and to this effect, collaborate with the Government, UN, and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of rule of law and security sector reforms; 19. Maintains close liaison with UN counterparts in the country, including neighbouring countries, with regard to developments that could affect the observance of the human rights in the mission area; 20. Supports the establishment, participates or chairs as appropriate, mission coordinating mechanisms for the implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) on support provided by the UN to non-UN forces as relevant; ensures that risk assessments are undertaken, advice is given to senior management on support, follow-up and monitoring and that appropriate information is provided on the implementation of the Policy; 21. Maintains close liaison with OHCHR for timely communication on the human rights situation, to support the various UN human rights mechanisms and to maximize the impact of common and joint programming and strategies between OHCHR and the Mission; 22. Ensures the provision of support to the Government, civil society and the UNCT on the Universal Periodic Review process, as relevant, and the implementation of recommendations thereon derived; 23. In coordination with the SRSG, regularly briefs diplomatic community on human rights situation on the country; 24. Ensures gender considerations are included and reflected in all human rights activities and outputs and ensure compliance with the UN commitment to promote gender equality and mainstreaming in Mission activities, in cooperation with the mission's Gender Adviser; 25. Leads or coordinates other substantive human rights-related components and programmes as determined by the mission structure.

Managerial responsibilities: 26. Manages the Human Rights Unit and OHCHR technical cooperation programmes and the provision of substantive leadership, though, inter alia, formulating the substantive work programme, allocating resources, preparing and reporting on budget and programme performance, evaluating staff performance, and ensuring appropriate staffing of the component; 27. Leads the planning, management and implementation of OHCHR-funded projects in the country; 28. Ensures that the Human Rights component collects, consolidates and analyses information on human rights developments received from staff/offices from across the mission area, including through coordinating the effective establishment and functioning of a human rights database; the establishment of quality control mechanisms and the timely and quality entry of data into the database; 29. Performs other duties as required by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Proven sensitivity to conflict and post-conflict political and social environments and ability to adjust behaviours accordingly; Comprehensive knowledge of human rights principles, international mechanisms and of related concepts, including the protection of civilians, transitional justice, humanitarian action, legislative, rule of law reforms and conflict-related sexual violence; Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies, guidelines and methodologies related to UN peace operations; Capacity to maintain effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders to further the mandate of the organization, and to strategically advocate for the integration of human rights in various fora; Sound political judgment, as well as diplomacy, impartiality, and discretion. 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; Capacity to lead the continual improvement of human rights-related work processes and ability to apply best management practices to obtain optimum performance of the human rights component; Understanding of the relevance of information collected by various UN actors for human rights analysis; Sound knowledge of the political background and human rights situation in the country or region; Proven representational, negotiation and managerial skills; Understanding of the relevance of information and data management and its applicability to human rights work; Ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and psychologically difficult environment, with a minimum of comfort and in precarious security conditions; Commitment to implement the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of the peace operation and to mainstream gender in all activities of the human rights component; 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.

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.

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 improvement, 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.

JUDGEMENT AND DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human rights, international relations, political science, law or a related area. 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 At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience at national and international levels in the fields of human rights, humanitarian action, political or social affairs, of which at least 7.5 years in the field of human rights is required. Such experience must encompass the monitoring and investigating of human rights violations.

A minimum of seven years in management and leadership capacities is required, including the supervising of large teams.

Professional experience working with the United Nations Common System, or other international or nongovernmental organization, advocating for the promotion of and respect for human rights is required.

A proven record of advisory experience to senior governmental representatives in the area of human rights is required.

Previous experience in integrating human rights in rule of law reforms, including through engaging with police and prisons officials, 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.

Assessment Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice Fully vaccinated status for COVID-19 or willingness to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 may be required for this position.

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.

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.