Human Rights Officer (Investigator)

Job Posting Organization:
The Commission of Inquiry on the situation in the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was established pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/60/2

• The organization focuses on investigating human rights violations in the DRC, particularly in the Kivu provinces, and aims to promote accountability and justice for victims of such violations. The Commission operates under the auspices of the United Nations and is committed to upholding human rights standards and ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations. The organization is based in Kinshasa and works closely with various stakeholders to address human rights issues in the region.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer (Investigator) position is critical for the Commission of Inquiry as it involves conducting thorough investigations into allegations of human rights violations in the North and South Kivu provinces. The incumbent will be responsible for researching, collecting, and analyzing information related to human rights, international law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law, and criminal law. This role requires the ability to propose effective investigative methods and tools, conduct interviews with victims and witnesses, and monitor trends in human rights violations. The officer will also be tasked with ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses, integrating gender perspectives into investigations, and drafting analytical documents for the Commission's reports. The position demands a high level of professionalism, teamwork, and planning skills to achieve the organization's goals effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer (Investigator) will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Researching, collecting, and analyzing information and documentation related to human rights and international law matters.
• Conducting investigations through interviews with victims and witnesses to gather corroborative information on allegations of violations.
• Monitoring trends and patterns of human rights violations in the region.
• Utilizing monitoring and mapping tools, including satellite imagery, to support geolocation of incidents and assess the authenticity of collected materials.
• Identifying alleged perpetrators based on established information-gathering methods.
• Participating in and organizing missions to sites of violations.
• Ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses in accordance with established methodologies.
• Safeguarding the information and documentation related to investigations.
• Drafting analytical documents, including gender analyses, and contributing to the Fact Finding Mission’s report. 1
• Integrating gender-sensitive approaches throughout the investigation and reporting processes. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues and the ability to identify related problems across various dimensions, including political, ethnic, racial, and socio-economic factors. They should have knowledge of the institutional mandates of human rights organizations and prevailing policies and procedures. The role requires excellent research and analytical skills, the ability to draft human rights reports, and the capability to evaluate and integrate information from diverse sources. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender equality in their 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 combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights is required, with at least two years specifically focused on investigating violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, or international criminal law. Relevant experience in the DRC or the surrounding region is highly desirable, as it provides context and understanding of the local human rights landscape.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in both languages, with a minimum required level of II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking for each language according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available, and its extension is subject to the continuation of the mandate and/or availability of funds. Candidates who are current staff members with a fixed-term, permanent, or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above their current grade. The position may also be limited to internal candidates or those based at the duty station. The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request.