Human Rights Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region (UNTDC), which operates under the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The OHCHR is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights globally, ensuring that international human rights standards are upheld. The Centre focuses on training and documentation efforts in the region, aiming to enhance the capacity of various stakeholders in human rights issues. The organization is committed to fostering a culture of respect for human rights and operates in multiple countries, engaging with governments, civil society, and other institutions to promote human rights education and training.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer will serve as the Coordinator of the Human Rights Training Unit, responsible for overseeing the coordination of human rights training programs. This role involves managing staff, developing training materials, and ensuring that the training programs align with the Centre's mandate. The incumbent will lead the development and delivery of regional and sub-regional human rights training programs, focusing on identified priority areas. The position requires conducting needs assessments to identify gaps in training and ensuring that all activities adhere to OHCHR methodologies. The officer will also prepare strategic plans and annual work plans for the Unit, ensuring effective implementation of training mandates and reporting on activities and results. The role emphasizes collaboration with various stakeholders, including government entities and civil society organizations, to strengthen their capacity in human rights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: 1) Coordinating the Human Rights Training Unit and managing its staff; 2) Leading the development and implementation of human rights training programs; 3) Conducting needs assessments to identify training requirements; 4) Ensuring adherence to OHCHR methodologies in training activities; 5) Collaborating with the OHCHR Methodology, Learning, Policy and Practice Section; 6) Preparing strategic plans and annual work plans for the Unit; 7) Providing specialized training methodology support to OHCHR field offices; 8) Developing partnerships with training institutions and relevant UN entities; 9) Integrating gender equality considerations into training policies and programs; 10) Drafting reports and evaluating human rights technical projects; 11) Managing and coordinating Unit activities and staff performance; 12) Representing the Centre in meetings; 13) Performing other related duties as assigned by the Head of Centre.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, including the ability to design and implement training programs for diverse audiences. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations and relevant policies is essential. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to evaluate information from various sources and assess its impact on human rights situations. Skills in training civil authorities and advocacy groups are crucial, as well as the ability to relate human rights issues to broader political, social, and economic contexts. The candidate should exhibit professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to manage performance within a team.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
At least seven years of professional experience in human rights, education, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Experience in designing, managing, and delivering human rights training and education programs is essential. Additionally, experience working with governments and stakeholders, including through capacity building, is desirable. Experience in managing and supervising staff, as well as in a field operation of the UN Common system or a comparable international organization, is also preferred.

Languages:
English and Arabic are required for this position. Proficiency in both languages is necessary, with a minimum level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Doha, Qatar, and applicants from unrepresented or under-represented Member States in the UN Secretariat are strongly encouraged to apply. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The position may involve an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment.