HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is in the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD) of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in New York. The incumbent will operate under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Peace Missions Support Section (PMSS) and direct supervision of the unit team leader.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Peace Missions Support Section and the direct supervision of the unit team leader, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Supports the integration of human rights in UN peace operations; • Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country; • Evaluates requirements, plans, and supports established human rights components and supports the conceptualisation and planning of new operations, as well as mandate revisions and mission transitions; • Facilitates strategic engagement on Human Rights in Peace operations with various stakeholders; • Supports Geographic Desk Officers in responding to requests for substantive assistance and operational support to human rights components of peace missions including through the review of public reporting by human rights components and adherence to relevant policies; • Facilitates information sharing among human rights components of peace operations, including through organising and participating in coordination meetings on developments affecting human rights components in peace operations, the drafting of a monthly bulletin, and the liaison with other UN partners such as the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Operational Support (DOS); • Provides input to policy and guidance relevant to human rights components in peace missions, including on protection of civilians, human rights due diligence on UN support to non-UN forces, and peace building and assist in documenting best practices and lessons learned; • Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in the mission areas; • Assists in ensuring the integration of gender perspectives and attention to specific women/girl’s rights issues within the work of human rights components of peace operations and the Peace Missions Support Section; • Participates in the organization of regular meetings of heads of human rights components; • Keep abreast of developments in the peace and security agenda; • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of a wide range of human rights issues, particularly protection of civilians (PoC) and protection. Ability includes approaches and techniques to address sensitive problems. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies, guidelines and procedures related to UN peace operations, including those related to the integration of human rights in peace missions. Knowledge of the role of human rights components in peace operations and of other civilian and uniformed components. Knowledge of human rights principles, international mechanisms and related concepts applicable to UN peace missions, including protection of civilians, protection, and humanitarian action. Ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender and social, economic, etc., causing civil unrest in a country or geographic area; Analytical and research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the integration of human rights on UN peace mission. 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 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, or human rights-related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. A minimum of two years of field experience working in human rights functions, including Protection of Civilians and monitoring & reporting is desirable. Experience in the strategic planning of field operations is desirable. Experience contributing to policy development and in the provision of guidance for policy implementation in peace operations settings is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 29 Feb 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. 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. 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.

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.