HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Human Rights Division within the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central Africa Republic, duty station Bossangoa. The Human Rights Officer will report to the Director of the Division.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer / Team Leader of the regional office will be responsible for the following duties: Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area, including for peace processes; Works directly with other components of the UN peace operation, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs and operations, including through developing procedures and policies, as appropriate; Plans, designs, implements and evaluates strategies for the mainstreaming of human rights in the activities of the UN peace mission and the UNCT and advocates for the integration of human rights in these programmes; Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating or coordinating emergency preparedness and response activities including in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate; Contributes to advocacy strategies, advocates and advises relevant authorities, inducting State officials, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), UN and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) senior management on strategies to better protect and promote human rights and mechanisms to stop impunity and redress human rights violations; Establishes and maintains contact with national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds/ and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advises on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights; Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls’ rights issues in all activities, programmes and strategies; Facilitates cooperation and appropriate communication with OHCHR in the establishment of policies and sharing of best practices; Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora as appropriate; Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other UN and non- UN actors, state authorities, donors and other stakeholders for effective policy coordination; Promotes coordination among all human rights related mandates present in the mission area; 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; Promotes the effective flow of information and channels human rights analysis and concerns for inclusion in UN crisis management and response; Assists in the development, coordination and implementation of the human rights work plan; Evaluates or assists in the evaluation of its progress and suggests adjustments as needed; Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Head of the Human Rights component, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staffing, planning and budgeting; Trains, coaches and supervises new and junior staff, manages their performance, and assists in training needs assessments; Performs other related duties as required. Human Rights Monitoring, Reporting and Field Coordination: Coordinates, supervises and conducts human rights monitoring activities in compliance with United Nations (UN) methodology and relevant to the observance of international human rights and humanitarian law in the mission area; Establishes as needed, baseline data for the appropriate monitoring of the human rights situation in the mission area; Coordinates the monitoring of and evaluates the legal system and its compliance with international human rights instruments and advises where appropriate, relevant authorities including on the implementation of UN recommendations; Plans, coordinates and leads multidisciplinary teams in the conduct of investigations into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in compliance with UN standards; Supports Women Protection Advisors in the mission by providing technical expertise on the monitoring investigations and reporting of conflict-related sexual violence as mandated and relevant to the peace mission; Develops and coordinates initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses, including with respect to sexual violence in conflict; 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; Contributes to the integration of human rights in the mission’s protection of civilians (PoC) efforts and, where relevant, coordinates such efforts 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, and participating or coordinating in Joint Protection Teams, as required; Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other type of communications in compliance with established standards, including with regard to public human rights reports; Ensures, coordinates and supervises the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database; conducts quality control and delivers statistics and trend reports as required; Ensures the integration of UN-developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting, protection and investigation Activities. Transitional Justice: Advises UN and national authorities on the establishment of vetting mechanisms, as mandated; Works with national authorities and civil society for the establishment of transitional justice processes and the establishment of accountability and compensation mechanisms, as appropriate; Advises national authorities on national legislation relative to transitional justice processes; 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; Leads the coordination of mission and UNCT actions in support of transitional justice mechanisms and processes; Ensures the integration of gender-sensitive victim perspectives in the design and implementation of transitional justice mechanisms and processes, as well as relevant advocacy strategies and capacity building initiatives. Capacity Building and Technical Cooperation: Designs, coordinates and evaluates capacity building efforts, including those supporting institution-building and institutional reforms, for alignment with international human rights norms and to meet international human rights law obligations; Assists national authorities in their coordination and evaluation of activities relating to the implementation and followup of recommendations by UN Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and other mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council; Designs, delivers, coordinates and evaluates human rights training programmes for national officials, civil society representatives, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs),National Human Rights Institutions and other national stakeholders; Coordinates with other UN mission components, UN actors and other regional and international organizations to create opportunities to integrate human rights into their training and cooperation programmes, including those aiming at legislative, rule of law and security sector reforms; Coordinates and participates in fund-raising activities and manages the implementation of technical cooperation projects in accordance to the rules of the origin of funding; Humanitarian response : Plans, designs, implements and evaluates strategies for the mainstreaming of human rights in the activities of the UN peace mission, the UNCT and the Humanitarian Country Team, and advocates for the integration of human rights in these programmes; Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating in or coordinating in Emergency preparedness and response activities including in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate; Contributes to advocacy strategies, advocates and advises relevant authorities, including State officials, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), UN and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) senior management, on strategies to better protect and promote human rights and mechanisms to stop impunity and redress human rights violations; Establishes and maintains contact with national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advise on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights; Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other type of communications in compliance with established standards, including with regard to public human rights reports; Chairs and coordinates the working groups established within the Protection Cluster as relevant and takes part of discussions with other clusters leads to ensure human rights integration; Identifies protection gaps and strengthens the existing protection response strategy by ensuring synergies within the mission, the members of the Protection Cluster and other clusters as well as with other relevant fora; Provides human rights colleagues with technical expertise and guidance on their engagement with humanitarian and other protection partners in field offices, in particular the Humanitarian Country Team and Clusters, notably regional Protection Clusters.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of main human rights issues in the region and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions, knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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. 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. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, social sciences or a 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights or closely related field, of which at least half in the area of human rights is required. Experience of human rights monitoring, documenting, and reporting is required. Experience on human rights advocacy and/or on the design and management of capacity building programmes and/or conducting human rights investigations is required. Experience in vetting processes for committed human rights violations, managing a data base and in protection issues is required. Experience in human rights protection work, including through engaging with military and police for the protection of civilians is required. One year of experience in a managerial capacity and supervising a team is required. Experience on child protection is desirable. A minimum of three 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. Experience in the management of technical cooperation projects is desirable. Demonstrated experience on sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict- related sexual violence is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

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.