Human Rights Officer, P-3

Position description

In Security Council resolutions 1888 (2009) and 2467 (2019) the Security Council requested inter alia the timely deployment of Women’s Protection Advisers (WPAs) in all relevant situations of concern, including to relevant UN peace operations, special political missions, and country presences. Security Council resolution 2467 is one in a series of resolutions adopted since 2008, which recognized conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to security and an impediment to the restoration of peace. Furthermore, in resolution 2645 (2022), the Security Council decided to include dedicated capacity to address sexual and gender-based violence within BINUH’s Human Rights Unit. WPAs advise UN senior leadership on the implementation of the operational provisions of these resolutions, including by ensuring the establishment and functioning of the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence (MARA). This position is located in the Human Rights component of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). The incumbent will directly report to the Senior Women’s Protection Adviser (SWPA) under the overall guidance of the Human Rights Principal.

Responsibilities

Serving as a Human Rights Officer/Women’s Protection Advisor, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Supports the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1820,1888 and 1960 on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) in close coordination with other WPAs and other mission components.
• Monitors, investigates, and reports on sexual violence in conflict with respect to the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangement (MARA).
• Regularly updates the human rights case database with CRSV case information and contribute to the identification of patterns and trends through its analysis.
• Conducts investigations of violations of human rights and humanitarian law related to CRSV, and takes part of assessments, evaluation and development of sexual violence protection plans for women, men and children.
• Provides technical advice for civil society, national authorities, NGOs and the UN and other international actors to promote the inclusion of CSRV prevention and response in their activities. As required, facilitates training and education events and undertakes capacity building activities.
• Supports the referral of survivors of sexual violence in seeking protection, redress and accountability for sexual violence and, contribute to the development and strengthening of the referral pathway as appropriate.
• Supports the work of the Human Rights component in the implementation of recommendations related to sexual violence emanating from the human rights treaty bodies, special procedures, and other mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council, as well as of other UN bodies.
• Supports the work of the Human Rights component in legislative and rule of law reform in line with international human rights norms related to addressing sexual violence.
• Provides technical advice to Haitian specialized police units, in particular units working on sexual crimes and crimes against minors, to strengthen their capacities in the areas of criminal investigations into sexual crimes committed in the context of gang violence; victim and witness protection, and cooperation with the judiciary.
• Formulates and implements appropriate police strategies to prevent, investigate, and respond to sexual crimes, consistent with international standards and best practice.
• Supports the SWPA in the engagement with state and armed actors for the adoption of time-bound commitments on the prevention and response to sexual violence in conflict and monitor its implementation.
• Engages with institutional counterparts to advance their strategies to address gangs-related sexual violence and to support civil society organizations, particularly women-led organizations, working in the promotion and protection of women’s rights.

 

Qualifications

• Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter – including in international human rights and humanitarian legal frameworks, international relations, protection of civilians, and gender/SGBV, and relevant Security Council resolutions and mandates, in conflict and post conflict settings, in particular working on issues of conflict-related sexual violence, to establish and maintain effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders to further the mandate of the organization, and to strategically advise and advocate for the integration of conflict-related sexual violence considerations in various fora; Demonstrated independent judgement and discretion in advising on and handling sensitive information; Ability to advise senior management and other senior officials; 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 and 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or in a 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 five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of human rights, law, or closely related areas is required, of which at least half should be in human rights. Experience in monitoring and documenting human rights violations and abuses, including incidents of sexual violence, is required. Experience in leading or participating in criminal investigations of serious human rights violations and/or crimes, particularly sexual violence, is desirable. Experience in leading or organizing capacity building activities in support of police and/or judicial authorities is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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