Associate 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 support to various countries in their efforts to improve human rights conditions. The organization operates in numerous countries, engaging with local governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to address human rights violations and promote accountability. The OHCHR is committed to fostering a culture of respect for human rights and aims to empower individuals and communities to claim their rights. The organization employs a diverse workforce of professionals dedicated to human rights advocacy, research, and policy development, and it plays a crucial role in monitoring human rights situations worldwide, including in conflict zones and areas of political instability.

Job Overview:
The Associate Human Rights Officer position is integral to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), specifically based in Kharkiv. The role involves conducting thorough research and analysis of human rights issues, identifying trends and violations, and assessing the impact of these issues on the local population. The incumbent will draft reports and correspondence related to human rights matters, participate in hearings and consultations, and maintain awareness of current human rights issues, including political and legal developments in Ukraine. The position also requires collaboration with national law enforcement officials, civil society representatives, and NGOs to promote human rights training and capacity building. The Associate Human Rights Officer will contribute to advocacy efforts aimed at preventing human rights violations and will be responsible for creating and maintaining databases to track project progress and analyze data for informed decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Human Rights Officer include: researching and collecting information on human rights issues, drafting reports and correspondence, participating in hearings and consultations, maintaining awareness of current human rights issues, ensuring compliance with relevant standards, participating in training programs for law enforcement and civil society, reviewing human rights issues with a focus on gender dimensions, promoting community mobilization, advocating with authorities to prevent violations, liaising with various stakeholders to create baseline data on human rights situations, designing and maintaining databases, and contributing to data analysis and visualization for reporting purposes. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing human rights concerns and involves collaboration with other Human Rights Officers to integrate these issues into broader political, humanitarian, and economic efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, including their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality, and socio-economic dimensions. They should have knowledge of the institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies, and procedures. The role requires excellent research and analytical skills, the ability to identify sources for data collection, and proficiency in drafting human rights reports. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to plan and organize their work efficiently. The position also requires a commitment to incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring 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 area is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields combined 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 social frameworks surrounding human rights.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. At least one year of experience in human rights and/or International Humanitarian Law data analytics is desirable. Experience conducting interviews with victims and witnesses of human rights violations is also preferred. Familiarity with the United Nations common system or similar international organizations is an advantage, as it provides insight into the operational context of human rights work.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English is required, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, proficiency in Ukrainian and Russian is required, reflecting the linguistic context of the region. Candidates must demonstrate a high level of competency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in these languages, as effective communication is crucial for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for six months, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds. Candidates must be of the nationality of Ukraine, as this is a National Professional Officer category position. The role is classified as temporary, and applicants should be aware that it does not guarantee future employment within the organization. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process, ensuring that all candidates are considered based on their qualifications and organizational needs. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.