Senior 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, providing guidance and support to governments and civil society. The organization operates in various countries, focusing on monitoring human rights situations, providing technical assistance, and promoting accountability for human rights violations. 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 operates in numerous countries, working collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Senior Human Rights Officer position is a leadership role within the OHCHR in Guatemala City, where the incumbent will act as the Head of the Country Office. This role involves representing the OHCHR and reporting directly to the Regional Director for the Americas. The officer will be responsible for leading and coordinating the work of the Guatemala office, which includes monitoring human rights situations, providing advisory services, and promoting human rights through technical cooperation. The incumbent will formulate human rights strategies, particularly with a focus on gender equality, and will develop a vision for the office's work. The role requires advising the Government of Guatemala and the UN Country Team on human rights matters, managing the office's daily operations, and ensuring compliance with UN rules and procedures. The Senior Human Rights Officer will also engage with high-level government officials and other stakeholders to build relationships and promote human rights initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Human Rights Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: leading and coordinating the work of OHCHR-Guatemala; formulating human rights strategies; advising the Government of Guatemala on human rights issues; managing the office's logistics, financial, and human resources; representing the High Commissioner on human rights matters; building relationships with authorities and organizations; proposing policy directives; designing and implementing policy changes; formulating the office's work program and budget; promoting fundraising strategies; preparing human rights reports; coordinating research initiatives; managing staff; and performing other related duties as required. This role demands a proactive approach to addressing human rights challenges and requires the ability to navigate complex political environments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, including the ability to address sensitive and complex problems. Knowledge of the institutional mandates of human rights organizations and prevailing policies is essential. The ability to evaluate information from various sources and assess its impact on human rights situations is crucial. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, teamwork, leadership capabilities, and sound judgment in decision-making. The role requires a commitment to gender equality and the ability to foster an inclusive work environment.

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 work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to address complex human rights issues effectively.

Experience:
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Out of these ten years, at least four (4) years of experience managing a team of at least eight people is desirable. Experience in monitoring and/or investigating human rights issues in field settings is also desirable, as it provides practical insights into the challenges faced in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Spanish is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages, as outlined by the UN Language Framework. Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the availability of funds and the extension of the mandate. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply. The United Nations is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. The recruitment process will include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.