Senior Human Rights Officer, Coordinator

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

• The organization operates under the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights globally. The OHCHR works to ensure that human rights are respected and upheld in various contexts, including conflict zones and areas of humanitarian crisis. The organization is committed to addressing human rights violations and providing support to victims, while also working towards accountability and justice. The OHCHR employs a diverse team of professionals across multiple countries, focusing on various human rights issues and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Senior Human Rights Officer, Coordinator will play a crucial role in overseeing the Commission's operations in the DRC, particularly in the North and South Kivu provinces. This position requires a strong understanding of human rights issues, investigative methodologies, and the ability to manage complex teams and workflows. The incumbent will be responsible for developing investigation plans and methodologies, ensuring that the Commission's work aligns with strategic objectives and established fact-finding standards. The role also involves facilitating communication between Commission members and the OHCHR, managing the Secretariat's operations, and ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses involved in the Commission's inquiries. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to gender perspectives in all aspects of their work.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Human Rights Officer, Coordinator include:

• Supervising the development of investigation plans, methodologies, and tools for data collection and processing.
• Supporting Commission members in operational and administrative procedures and ensuring their implementation.
• Managing the Secretariat's overall work, facilitating internal workflows, information sharing, and performance management.
• Coordinating communication between Commission members and the OHCHR.
• Ensuring the Commission's tasks are carried out in accordance with strategic objectives and standard methodologies, including gender perspectives.
• Overseeing the investigation and reporting tasks of Commission members.
• Developing plans to protect victims and witnesses cooperating with the Commission.
• Accompanying Commission members on field missions.
• Acting as the main interlocutor on operational and substantive matters with various stakeholders. 1
• Ensuring the integration of gender perspectives in all aspects of the Commission's work. 1
• Taking responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of Commission reports. 1
• Liaising with security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security coordinators on security requirements. 1
• Managing the Commission's budget and finances, providing regular operational and financial reports. 1
• Performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in human rights, with knowledge of institutional mandates and policies related to human rights organizations. They should demonstrate the ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources, assess impacts on human rights situations, and provide advice on complex human rights issues. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of professionalism, efficiency, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining a commitment to gender equality and diversity in the workplace.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, or a related discipline 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights or a combination of human rights and international humanitarian law or international criminal law is required. Additionally, at least five (5) years of experience in managing teams is necessary, along with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in conducting human rights or international criminal law investigations. Experience working in the DRC or similar contexts is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French (oral and written) is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages at the UN Level III standard.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2026, subject to funding availability and/or extension of the mandate. The selection process may be limited to internal candidates, and the position is subject to the United Nations' commitment to achieving gender balance in staffing. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities.