Human Rights Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a part of the United Nations system, established to promote and protect human rights globally. The OHCHR works to ensure that the rights of individuals are respected and upheld, and it plays a crucial role in addressing human rights violations and promoting accountability. The organization operates in various countries around the world, engaging with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to advance human rights standards and practices. The OHCHR is committed to fostering a culture of human rights and ensuring that all individuals can enjoy their rights without discrimination. The organization employs a diverse workforce and is dedicated to promoting gender equality and inclusivity in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is integral to the OHCHR's efforts in advancing human rights in drug policies. The incumbent will be responsible for planning and coordinating activities that align with international guidelines on human rights and drug policy. This role involves conducting substantive research and analysis of human rights issues related to drug policies, collecting and analyzing human rights data, and ensuring that gender-specific considerations are integrated into the outcomes of meetings and follow-up plans. The officer will also represent the UN human rights program at various meetings, write reports and communications, and may provide guidance to junior staff. This position requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing human rights issues, as well as a commitment to integrating gender perspectives into all areas of work.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will undertake a variety of duties, including but not limited to: planning and coordinating activities to advance human rights in drug policies; conducting research and analysis on human rights issues related to drug policies; collecting and analyzing human rights data and indicators, including gender-specific data; following up on the implementation of decisions made by policy-making bodies; ensuring that human rights issues are integrated into outcome documents and follow-up plans; defining work plans in accordance with established terms of reference; representing the UN human rights program at working-level meetings; writing reports, communications, briefings, and statements; providing guidance to new or junior staff; and performing other related duties as required. The role demands a high level of professionalism, communication skills, and the ability to plan and organize effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of international human rights law and public international law, with the ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality, and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of the institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies, and procedures is essential. Candidates should demonstrate research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify sources for data collection, analyze information, and draft human rights reports. The ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources and assess its impact on the human rights situation is crucial. Additionally, candidates should show a commitment to gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential for understanding the complex legal and political frameworks that govern human rights issues.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Experience working at the field level with United Nations Country Teams or similar organizations is desirable. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the candidate is well-equipped to handle the complexities of human rights work and to engage effectively with various stakeholders.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, proficiency in English is required, while proficiency in French is desirable. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in both languages according to the UN Language Framework, which includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for 364 days, subject to the availability of funds. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, it does not guarantee future employment in the same position. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.