Position description
This post is located in the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIMP), Geneva (Switzerland). The incumbent reports to the Senior Information Management Officer, or his/her designee.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
- Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments;
- Oversees and guides the collection of data, focusing on interviews and open-source information. Develops and implements strategies to ensure comprehensive and accurate data gathering related to missing persons;
- Formulates and executes search plans aimed at contextual analysis. Ensures that these plans are aligned with the overall workplan of the section and contributes to achieving the mandate of clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing persons;
- Oversees the development and implementation of methodologies, policies, and protocols for the team’s programmes. Integrates a gender perspective in all processes and outcomes, ensuring that data collection and analysis uphold the highest standards of search, verification, and preservation;
- Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.;
- Meets regularly with the peacekeeping team including UN staff, national officials as well as Military and Police officers to plan projects and review project activities;
- Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps design and implements the human rights program and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation;
- Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take;
- Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations;
- Assists country military and police to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives;
- Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget;
- Trains and supervises new/junior staff;
- Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting;
- Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, in particular missing persons, including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of implementing areas of responsibility in a victim/survivor centered and a gender competent approach. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights. Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems. Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
- 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& 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required;
- Experience conducting search and investigations in conflict or post-conflict settings is required;
- Experience in designing and implementing data collection and analysis methodologies on human rights or humanitarian violations is required.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Application instructions
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