HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (TJO)

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 Human Rights Principal.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer (with a specific focus on sexual and gender-based violence), will be responsible of the following duties: • Supports the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1820,1888 and 1960 on Conflict-related Sexual Violence (CRSV) in close coordination with Women Protection Advisors and other mission components. • Monitors, investigates, and reports on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Supports the implementation of a project to work with the Haitian National Police to combat SGBV. • Regularly updates the human rights case database with SGBV 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 SGBV, 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 SGBV 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. • 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 and gender-based violence; victim and witness protection; cooperation with the judiciary. • Formulates and implement appropriate police strategies to fight sexual crimes and gender-based violence consistent with international standards and best practice. • Supports the human rights team’s engagement with state and armed actors for the adoption of timebound commitments on the prevention and response to SGBV 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.

Competencies

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 & 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

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 work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience in monitoring and documenting human rights violations, including incidents of sexual violence is required. At least two (2) years of field experience working with human rights issues is desirable. Experience in leading and participating in criminal investigations related to Sexual and Gender Based-Violence cases is desirable. Experience in working for a law enforcement institution is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in English is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR SIX (6) MONTHS WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION – SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. • A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. • However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. • A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. • 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. • If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • 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. 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.

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.