Application Deadline: August 8, 2021
This position is located in the Prevention and Sustaining Peace Section of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), New York. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Section and under the overall authority of the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities of the Peacebuilding Architecture (PBSO, PBC, PBF) to support OHCHR’s engagement with processes in United Nations Headquarters, with a particular focus on prevention and sustaining peace.
• Supports the work of treaty-established bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures.
• Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc. notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.
• Meets regularly with counterparts at United Nations headquarters including UN staff and delegates 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 New York-based entities to develop and implement outreach and training activities in the field of human rights, prevention and peacebuilding, 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.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. 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.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
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 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
Experience working with intergovernmental processes at the headquarters level is desirable.
Experience working on peace and security issues is desirable.
Experience working on human rights at the field level is also desirable.
Experience working on prevention or peacebuilding is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is also desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
For application details, visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=157647&Lang=en-US
