Human Rights Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This is a position in the Office of the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Human Rights Officer will be based in Kabul, an “E” hardship and non-family duty stations, and will report to the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader, under the guidance of the Senior Human Rights Officer and direction of the Chief, Human Rights Service.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader and guidance of the Senior Human Rights Officer, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Supports the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader in leading the management and implementation of the human rights work in the assigned area in accordance with the UNAMA Human Rights Service workplan, and management of team members.

Supports the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader in planning and coordinating the implementation of activities related to thematic mandate of the UNAMA Human Rights Service, including from a gender perspective, inter alia: protection of civilians, including right to life and right to physical integrity; issues related to the rights of women, children, persons deprived of their liberty, prevention of torture and ill-treatment, human rights defenders, media workers, and other vulnerable groups; and monitoring of the fundamental freedoms and economic, social and cultural rights situation.

Integrates UN-developed methodology in the human rights monitoring, reporting and fact-finding activities. Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights and fundamental freedoms issues based on field monitoring and assesses their impact on the human rights and gender equality situation.

Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in the assigned area, including gender- specific data and indicators. Contributes to the development of initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of violations and abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Formulates meaningful recommendations and strategies to better promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, with a view to address violations, seek remedial action by the de facto authorities and prevent recurrence. Ensures the integration of human rights considerations in the work and programmes of UNAMA, its provincial field offices and the UN Regional Team and humanitarian actors, and of the UN Country Team, where applicable.

Follows up on reported situations/incidents/cases of violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms and ensures timely entry of accurate and verified cases into established databases, in compliance with established standards, ensuring quality assurance controls. Plans and/or coordinates the collection and analysis of human rights monitoring data and information, as well as the preparation of data presentations and reports, for information-sharing, responding to queries, knowledge-management, planning and decision-making. Plans and/or coordinates visualisations and the updating of information materials, such as brochures, web pages, etc.

Organises and/or maintains continuous exploratory meetings with de facto authorities, for purposes of maintaining direct engagement and contact on, and keeping abreast of, human rights situation/issues, and for advocacy, where appropriate. When possible, organises visits to places of detention, facilities operated by the de facto police, intelligence, juvenile rehabilitation centres, and provincial prisons – for constructive engagement on issues pertaining to deprivation of liberty and prevention of torture and ill-treatment, based on relevant standards. Conducts human rights awareness-raising discussions with de facto authorities on international human rights standards, instruments and mechanisms.

Drafts a variety of products (such as reports, briefings and other types of communications) relating to human rights matters, in compliance with established standards. Represents the UNAMA Human Rights Service at meetings and thematic events related to the UNAMA human rights mandate, as required.

Serves as Officer-in-Charge of the Team in the absence of the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader. Performs other related duties, as required.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights political science, international relations, social sciences, humanities, or related field. 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

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights issues and relevant professional experience is required, particularly on issues, monitoring, documentation, reporting, advocacy and awareness-raising on fundamental freedoms.
• At least two years’ experience – in a UN peace operation, UN human rights presence, or international organisation, outside the country of origin – in human rights fact-finding, documentation and reporting in conflict and/or post-conflict settings is required.
• At least two years’ experience in leading, managing and supervising multicultural teams is required.
• At least two years’ experience in coordinating and managing inter-thematic collaborations, workflows and processes is desirable.
• Experience in human rights case management and data analytics, human rights analysis and human rights reporting including human rights public reporting, is desirable.
• Knowledge of the UNAMA Human Rights mandate, and previous experience in Afghanistan, is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Pashto and Dari is desirable.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/249409?language=en