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 upheld and that governments are held accountable for their actions. The organization operates in various countries around the world, engaging with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to foster a culture of human rights. The OHCHR is committed to addressing human rights violations and promoting the implementation of international human rights standards. The organization employs a diverse workforce and is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is a critical role within the OHCHR, specifically in the Thematic and Special Procedures Division. The incumbent will provide direct support to the Director of the Division, engaging in strategic planning, reporting, and advocacy on various human rights issues. The role requires a comprehensive understanding of international human rights instruments and the ability to evaluate and monitor their implementation. The Human Rights Officer will collaborate with UN and non-governmental organizations to integrate human rights considerations into their programs, ensuring that gender dimensions are also addressed. This position demands a proactive approach to collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and inform decision-making processes. The officer will also be responsible for training and supervising junior staff, contributing to the overall capacity-building within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: providing timely support to the Director in strategic planning and reporting; reviewing and evaluating activities related to international human rights instruments; supporting treaty-established bodies and special procedures; preparing human rights reports for the General Assembly and Human Rights Council; collaborating with UN and non-governmental programs to integrate human rights into their initiatives; ensuring the availability of up-to-date information on human rights issues; coordinating with other UN sectors and international organizations; collecting and analyzing data to identify trends; and training and supervising new or junior staff members. The officer will also perform other related duties as required, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in human rights, political affairs, or international relations, with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in these fields. Experience working within the human rights system across various rights and regions is essential, as is familiarity with UN system-wide processes and inter-agency collaboration on human rights. The ability to advise senior leadership on strategic implementation of human rights mandates is also required. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to human rights principles and possess the skills necessary to navigate complex political environments.

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 crucial for understanding the legal and political frameworks that underpin human rights work.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area. Candidates should have experience working within the human rights system, particularly in relation to various rights and regions. Additionally, experience in UN system-wide processes or inter-agency collaboration on human rights is necessary, along with a background in human rights activities and operations in the field. Experience advising senior leadership on strategic implementation of thematic human rights mandates is also required, while experience in strategic planning and results-based programming is desirable.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum UN Level III competency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is considered desirable, with a minimum UN Level II competency in these areas. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, as they will be working in a multilingual environment and may need to engage with stakeholders from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Additional Notes:
This position is available for an initial period of one year and is subject to the availability of funding. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process adheres to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a focus on geographic diversity. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates are advised to follow all application instructions carefully.