SENIOR HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 155,217 USD and 194,522 USD.

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Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located within the Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Service of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The position is located in Tripoli, Libya. Tripoli is classified as a Hardship "E" duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of the Principal Human Rights Officer.

On 31 January 2022, the Security Council, by its resolution 2619 (2022) renewed the mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) through 30 April 2022, by roll-over of its resolutions 2542 (2020) of 15 September 2020 , 2570 (2021) of 16 April 2021 and 2599 (2021) of 30 September 2021. The Security Council, in resolution 2542 (2020), tasked UNSMIL, as an integrated special political mission, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and through its good offices to: (i) further an inclusive political process and security and economic dialogue; (ii) further the continued implementation of the Libya Political Agreement; (iii) help consolidate the governance, security and economic arrangements of the Government of National Accord, including support for economic reform in collaboration with international financial institutions; (iv) help to achieve a ceasefire and, once it is agreed by the Libyan parties, provide appropriate support to its implementation; (v) support subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process, including the constitutional process and the organisation of elections; (vi) coordinate and engage closely with international actors including neighboring countries and regional organizations; (vii) provide support to key Libyan institutions; (viii) support, on request, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with humanitarian principles; (ix) monitor and report abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence in conflict, notably through the effective deployment of women and child protection advisers; (x) provide support in securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (xi) co-ordinate international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to GNA-led efforts to stabilize post-conflict zones, including those liberated from Da’esh. On 16 April 2021, the Security Council, through resolution 2570 (2021), tasked UNSMIL to provide support to the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism including through the facilitation of confidence-building measures and the scalable and incremental deployment of UNSMIL ceasefire monitors.

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

- Advises on appropriate policies and strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area, including civilian protection, transitional justice, accountability, sexual violence, human rights elements of the peace process; - Develops procedures and policies for the effective cooperation with other UNSMIL components and sections for the integration of human rights; - Coordinates, supervises and ensures adequate conduct of human rights monitoring activities in compliance with UN methodology and relevant to the observance of the international human rights and humanitarian law in the mission area; - Provides strategic guidance to and, as required, leads multidisciplinary teams in the conduct of investigations of human rights and international humanitarian law violations in compliance with UN methodology and standards; - Coordinates the mission’s civilian protection efforts and supports implementation of the National Plan for Civilian Protection, including by, inter-alia, mapping and reporting protection risks, early warning, advising UN uniformed personnel on human rights issues during the conduct of their operations, as required; - Oversees the coordination of activities to support the work of Women Protection Advisors and Child Protection Advisors and the engagement of the Human Rights component in combating impunity for sexual violence as appropriate; - Provides strategic guidance to civil society and authorities on building the protection mechanisms for victims and witnesses of human rights and humanitarian law violations; - Oversees the use and maintenance of a database of human rights cases, monitors access rights at regional field level, evaluates quality of data in compliance with established standards; - Coordinates the drafting of and reviews a variety of reports, including internal reports, public human rights reports, and regular inputs to Secretary-General reports on the mission and priority thematic issues including under the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements, ensuring quality and conformity with standards; - Provides substantive coordination and management oversight to the field teams, ensuring a link between field operations, strategic direction and results targeted by the Human Rights component, including in its results-based work-plan; - Ensures information on human rights situation in the mission area is readily available to influence decision, strategy and policymaking; - Contributes, and where required, coordinates the implementation of the Human Rights Due-Diligence Policy on UN support to non-UN forces, including by coordinating risk assessments and ensuring relevant human rights monitoring information is gathered, as well as advises on support and follow-up for the implementation of the Policy; - Provides technical expertise and strategic guidance to UNSMIL leadership, and national authorities on the establishment of transitional justice processes-and accountability and reparations mechanisms, as appropriate; - Advises national authorities on national legislation relative to transitional justice; - Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with national authorities, civil society (human rights and victim organizations, and organizations with a focus on transitional justice), and other partners in order to develop and strengthen transitional justice mechanisms and the implementation of transitional justice processes; - Ensures compliance with national efforts with UN-developed methodologies and best practices in the areas of transitional justice and rule of law for post-conflict countries; - Facilitates the coordination of mission and UNCT actions in support of transitional justice mechanisms and processes; - Contributes to the integration of human rights, including the work of the Protection Cluster as appropriate; - Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora, as delegated by the Principal Human Rights Officer. - Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls’ rights issues in all activities, programmes and strategies, including on justice and accountability; - Establishes and maintains contact with national authorities, civil society, UN actors and bodies, and other relevant partners, to inform on the human rights and protection situation in the mission area and advice on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights and protect civilians; - Contributes to the planning of human rights training and educational programmes for national officials, representatives of civil society, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs), National Human Rights Institutions and other national stakeholders, and ensures they are in line with gaps assessed through human rights monitoring and mission priorities; - Analyses and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights, including from open sources; - Reaches out to various UN actors to collect and analyze information of relevance to human rights; - Ensures the effective flow of information and channels human rights analysis to senior management and other sections; - Coordinates the implementation of the human rights work plan and evaluates its impact; - Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Principal Human Rights Officer, work coordination and administrative functions relating to staffing, planning and budgeting; - Devises training needs assessments and training strategies for new or-junior human rights staff and monitors their implementation. - Performs other duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Proven sensitivity to conflict and post-conflict political and social environments and ability to adjust behaviors accordingly; Expert knowledge of human rights principles, international mechanisms and of related concepts, including protection of civilians, transitional justice, humanitarian action, legislative, rule of law reforms, sexual violence in conflict and gender; 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; 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 strategic recommendations to redress 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. Provides leadership and 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.

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/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 Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations or another discipline related to human rights. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights or closely related field of which half in human rights is required.

Experience in human rights monitoring, reporting and/or investigating violations is required. Such experience should encompass at least three years in a managerial capacity and the supervision of teams.

Experience acquired in multidimensional crisis is required.

Experience in human rights advocacy and capacity building programmes is required.

Experience in the management of projects is required.

A minimum of 3 years’ experience providing services in the field of Human Rights to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable.

Relevant experience in the Middle East or North-Africa region is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required.

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 for 6 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

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.

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.

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.