Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Global Operations Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which is part of the United Nations. The OHCHR was established to promote and protect human rights globally, ensuring that all individuals can enjoy their rights and freedoms. The organization operates in various countries around the world, focusing on the implementation of international human rights standards and providing support to governments and civil society. The OHCHR employs a diverse workforce dedicated to advancing human rights and operates in multiple regions, including Asia-Pacific, where this position is specifically focused.

Job Overview:
The Regional Director for the Asia-Pacific will be responsible for formulating and implementing the substantive work programme of the Regional Office and overseeing the management of activities undertaken by the office and its country representatives. This role requires strong leadership and coordination skills to ensure that human rights activities are carried out effectively and in a timely manner. The Regional Director will engage with various stakeholders, including Member States, civil society organizations, and UN country teams, to promote human rights and ensure compliance with international standards. The position demands a strategic approach to resource mobilization and advocacy, representing the High Commissioner in the Asia-Pacific region. The Regional Director will also ensure that the outputs produced by the office maintain high-quality standards and comply with relevant mandates, while fostering teamwork and communication among staff.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Director include:

• Formulating and implementing the work programme of the Regional Office and supervising country leads/representatives.
• Overseeing the management of activities and ensuring timely execution of programmed activities.
• Leading and supervising the work programme of the Regional Office, providing substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others.
• Directing and supervising the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of technical cooperation projects requested by governments.
• Maintaining cooperation on human rights issues with various stakeholders, including Member States and civil society organizations.
• Engaging in strategic resource mobilization and advocacy as the High Commissioner’s representative.
• Ensuring high-quality outputs from the Regional Office and human rights presences.
• Preparing budgets and reporting on performance, as well as evaluating staff performance.
• Recruiting staff with attention to geographical balance and fostering teamwork among staff. 1
• Participating in international, regional, or national meetings and providing expertise on human rights issues.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires advanced knowledge and expertise in human rights and related fields. Candidates must demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and strong leadership abilities. The ability to manage performance and foster teamwork is essential. Candidates should also possess a strategic vision and the ability to identify opportunities and risks in the human rights landscape. The role demands a commitment to gender balance and inclusivity in staffing and operations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, or a related area. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or related fields, with at least 10 years at the international level. This includes supervisory, management, and leadership experience, with a minimum of 7 years in such roles. Experience working with international organizations in multicultural environments is required, along with demonstrated experience in strategic resource mobilization and project management.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Desirable languages include French, Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, Spanish, and Arabic, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in these languages as well.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role within the United Nations framework, and candidates must fulfill the lateral or geographical move requirements to be eligible. The United Nations encourages applications from candidates from unrepresented or underrepresented Member States. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. Staff members are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon appointment and annually thereafter.