Human Rights Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Regional Office for South Africa (ROSA), which is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights globally. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was established in 1993 and operates in various countries to ensure adherence to international human rights standards. The organization employs thousands of staff members worldwide and works in numerous countries to address human rights violations and promote social justice.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer will play a crucial role in planning and coordinating activities related to economic, social, and cultural rights, with a focus on integrating gender perspectives. This position involves conducting substantive research and analysis of human rights issues, assessing their socio-economic and cultural impacts, and collecting and analyzing relevant data. The officer will support various UN bodies, ensuring that human rights considerations are integrated into political and humanitarian efforts. The role requires the development and implementation of programs in the field of economic, social, and cultural rights, necessitating field missions and collaboration with other offices. The officer will also be responsible for writing reports and communications, providing guidance to junior staff, and performing other related duties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Plan and coordinate economic, social, and cultural rights activities related to thematic and country mandates, ensuring a gender perspective is included.
• Conduct substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events, assessing their socio-economic and cultural impact on the human rights situation in the assigned region or country.
• Collect and analyze human rights data and indicators, including gender-specific data.
• Provide support to sub-commissions, commissions, and other bodies, following up on the implementation of decisions made by policy-making bodies.
• Ensure that human rights issues, including gender equality dimensions, are integrated into political, humanitarian, and socio-economic efforts and programs.
• Define work plans for assigned areas in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Assist OHCHR country and regional offices in developing and implementing programs related to economic, social, and cultural rights, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Undertake field missions as necessary, following up on various projects and activities.
• Represent the UN human rights program at working-level meetings. 1
• Write a variety of reports, communications, briefings, and statements for policy-making bodies. 1
• Provide guidance to new or junior staff members. 1
• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates should have a strong understanding of human rights issues, particularly in the context of economic, social, and cultural rights, and demonstrate the ability to analyze and address these issues effectively.

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. A first-level university degree, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree, indicating flexibility in educational requirements based on experience.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, economic affairs, political affairs, international relations, law, or a closely related area is required. Candidates should have experience specifically in economic, social, and cultural rights, including areas such as economic policy, social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, health, housing, and education. Experience in developing policy, research, and technical assistance on these rights for governments is desirable, as is experience working at both country and international levels with the United Nations or similar organizations.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, and while it is not mandatory for this position, proficiency in French may be considered an asset.

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 applications from individuals regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested. The UN Secretariat is also committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and strongly encourages female candidates to apply.