Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in the Protection of Civilian (POC) Unit situated in the Office of the DSRSG Operations and Protection, with duty station, Goma. The incumbent reports to the Senior Protection of Civilians Advisor.

Responsibilities

Under the authority of the DSRSG Operations and Protection and the direct supervision of the Senior Protection of Civilians Advisor, and within delegated authority, the Associate Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Researches, collects, verifies, analyses and synthesizes significant amounts of information, including from open sources, of relevance to the protection of civilians (POC) and human rights in the designated mission area; • Assists in liaising with appropriate local and national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to monitor developments in the human rights situation; • Together with the supervisor and protection of civilians’ officers, engages with the relevant authorities and other key stakeholders, including UNCT, in view of improving the protection of civilians and/or preventing or finding remedies for human rights violations; • Supports in the development of initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses; • Drafts a variety of reports, briefings and other types of communications relating to the protection of civilians and human rights in compliance with established standards; • Contributes to the formulation of recommendations and strategies to better address protection of civilians’ concerns and promote and protect human rights in the mission area; • Supports the integration of human rights in humanitarian action through participating in emergency preparedness and response activities, including in the work of the Protection Working Group and other POC mechanisms, as appropriate; • Works directly with other components/sections, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations in their respective activities including by preparing and delivering training on POC and International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law; • Supports increasing the capacity of civil society and state authorities to protect civilians and their rights, including by supporting efforts to advance MONUSCO’s transition plan in relation to protection and human rights in cooperation with the supervisor and the protection of civilians’ team members ; • Reviews human rights and civilian protection issues in the area of responsibility, including gender dimensions and develops strategies in cooperation with the supervisor and team members to resolve the problems; • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of human rights and protection of civilians issues, ability to identify problems, including political, racial, social, economic or ethnic and those related to distinctions between the sexes, which are at the origin of civil unrest in a country or a geographical region; demonstrated capacities in terms of research and analysis, in particular, ability to identify problems and participate in the search for solutions; elementary knowledge of mandates, policies and institutional principles etc., regarding human rights; ability to find information sources. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in law, political science, international relations or human rights related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in the protection of civilians, human rights, civil affairs, or a closely related field is required. Previous experience in protection monitoring and reporting and on/or in building capacity for the promotion and protection of civilians is required. Experience in analyzing large amounts of information, including from open sources is required. Experience providing services in the field of protection of civilians or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

‘English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in French (oral and written) is required. Fluency in Lingala or Swahili is desirable. Fluency in English (oral and written) 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 subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.