Human Rights Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect (OSAPG). In support of the mandate on genocide prevention the Office collects information, conducts assessments of situations worldwide and alerts the Secretary-General, and other relevant actors, to the risk of atrocity crimes, as well as their incitement. The Human Rights Officer will report directly to the Senior Political Affairs Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Monitor and analyze developments in the thematic areas assigned; alert the Special Adviser of the Prevention of Genocide to situations where there is a risk of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing or crimes against humanity;
• Prepare advisory notes and analytical reports; provide expert advice to the Special Adviser on courses of action to reduce or mitigate the risk; co-ordinate with counterparts from relevant UN departments, agencies, funds and programs;
• Carry out research and analysis on matters relevant to the mandate, produce content for training, develop knowledge products and systems for capacity building, digital learning and develop education communication strategies as required;
• Draft notes, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for the Special Adviser;
• Organize, manage and lead fact-finding missions, as required;
• Coordinate learning and knowledge management managing research, deliver high-quality outputs such as policy briefs, curricula and reports as required;
• Liaise with other sectors of the United Nations, and with Member States and international, regional and sub-regional organizations in order to advance the work of the Office and define areas for political and operational partnership; develop and maintain relations with officials;
• Maintains relations with United Nations departments and agencies, as well as independent experts involved in humanitarian, peace and security and human rights activities to ensure the systematic collection of information regarding possible situations of massive violations of international human rights, humanitarian law and criminal law;
• Coordinates capacity-building programme on prevention of genocide and mass atrocities, and conducts training sessions as required;
• Participate in conferences, seminars and academic for a relevant to the work of the Office;
• Carry out administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget, as required;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, peace, conflict resolution, international relations or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, international political affairs, peace and security or international relations is required.
• Experience of undertaking research and analysis on areas related to the prevention of genocide and related crimes, war crimes and crimes against humanity, is required.
• Experience in supervising and managing staff is desirable.
• Experience of working with an educational institution, a regional organization, and an understanding of intergovernmental processes in the United Nations, international or national organizations or in another multilateral environment is desirable.
• Field experience is desirable

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/239297?language=en