Human Rights Officer (Economist)

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, focusing on issues such as poverty, inequality, and sustainable development. It employs a diverse workforce dedicated to advancing human rights and fostering a culture of respect and dignity for all individuals. The OHCHR collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international organizations, to implement human rights standards and promote social justice.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer (Economist) position is situated within the Thematic and Special Procedures Division of the OHCHR, specifically in the Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights section. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting substantive research and analysis on human rights issues related to sustainable development, with a particular focus on poverty, inequalities, and development financing. This role requires the officer to evaluate the implementation of international human rights instruments and provide policy advice to various stakeholders. The officer will also prepare reports for the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, ensuring that human rights considerations are integrated into development programs. The position demands collaboration with UN staff, national officials, and civil society to design and implement human rights programs, while also ensuring that gender perspectives are incorporated into all activities. The officer will be expected to lead a team, supervise junior staff, and utilize data visualization methods to present insights that support decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including conducting research and analysis on human rights issues, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of international human rights instruments, and preparing reports for key UN bodies. The officer will engage with UN and non-governmental programs to integrate human rights into their initiatives, assist in developing training programs for UN country teams, and ensure that up-to-date information on human rights and sustainable development is available. The officer will also be responsible for coordinating work within the section, managing staff, and overseeing budgetary functions. Additionally, the officer will collect and analyze data to identify trends and patterns, providing insights through various data visualization methods. Other related duties may be assigned as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of economic policy issues related to economic, social, and cultural rights. They should have the ability to evaluate and integrate information from diverse sources and assess its impact on human rights situations. The role requires demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and advocacy groups, as well as the ability to relate human rights issues to broader political, social, and economic contexts. Candidates should exhibit professionalism, teamwork, and effective planning and organizing skills, with a commitment to gender equality and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, development economics, 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. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, economic affairs, development, international relations, or a related area is required. Candidates must have at least two years of experience integrating human rights into sustainable development at the global or country level, as well as three years of experience working on poverty and inequalities in the context of development financing. Desirable qualifications include at least five years of work experience as an economist engaged in economic policy and human rights issues, preferably within the United Nations or similar international settings.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required at UN Level III, which includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking. No additional desirable languages are specified for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is available for an initial period of one year and is subject to the availability of funding. 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 will not involve any fees, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. Candidates will be subject to reference checks and must provide complete and accurate information in their applications.