Responsibilities:

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

• Plans and coordinates activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, including from a gender perspective.
• Maintain an overview of political, security and humanitarian developments, monitors the situation for potential human rights implications, and feeds information back to the leadership for their action and/or attention, as necessary.
• Prepare talking points, meeting notes, notes to file, statements and draft a variety of reports on various thematic issues, human rights situation, and other routine reports special procedures etc.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country.
• Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
• Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions and other bodies; follows-up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies.
• Ensures human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programme.
• Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
• 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.
• Supervises field verification work through periodic visits; follows up on different cases and situations verified by the regional offices.
• Represents UN human rights programme at working level meetings.
• Directs capacity-building efforts on human rights in region/country of assignment.
• Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Minimum Requirements:

  Education

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or 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.

  Work Experience

  • A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
  • Experience in human rights reporting is desirable.

  Languages

  • For the position advertised, fluency in English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage