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 in 199

• Its mission is to promote and protect human rights globally, ensuring that the fundamental freedoms and rights of individuals are upheld. The OHCHR operates in numerous countries and has a significant presence in New York, where it engages with intergovernmental bodies and processes. The organization employs a diverse workforce dedicated to addressing human rights issues and advocating for the rights of marginalized populations.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is situated within the Intergovernmental Affairs, Communication and Outreach Section of the OHCHR's New York Office. The incumbent will play a crucial role in supporting the integration of human rights into the work of New York-based intergovernmental bodies. This includes providing substantive inputs, monitoring deliberations, and assisting in representing OHCHR at various intergovernmental processes. The officer will also engage strategically with UN principal organs, particularly focusing on peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security issues, and will be responsible for coordinating advocacy efforts and developing outreach materials. The role requires a deep understanding of human rights issues and the ability to navigate complex political environments to foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support OHCHR’s engagement with intergovernmental bodies by providing substantive inputs and timely information on human rights issues.
• Monitor and report on deliberations and negotiations, preparing political analyses for senior officials.
• Assist in representing OHCHR at intergovernmental meetings to integrate human rights perspectives into policy formulation.
• Coordinate advocacy and outreach activities related to peace and security issues before the Security Council and General Assembly.
• Provide guidance on human rights matters to Member States and civil society.
• Develop and disseminate analysis and outreach materials on thematic and country-specific human rights issues.
• Prepare briefing notes and talking points for senior officials.
• Support the planning and budget processes of the OHCHR New York Office.
• Supervise and coach junior officers as needed. 1
• Perform other duties as required.

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. At least five years of experience at the international level in human rights is required, along with two years of experience in peace and security issues within a multilateral intergovernmental institution. Additionally, candidates should have direct experience engaging with intergovernmental bodies in human rights processes and strategic outreach to governments and civil society.

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

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, or law. Candidates should have at least five years of experience at the international level in human rights and two years of experience working on peace and security issues in a multilateral intergovernmental institution. Furthermore, candidates must have direct experience in engaging with intergovernmental bodies and supporting multilateral human rights processes.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, but there are no specific desirable languages for this position.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is subject to the extension of the mandate and/or availability of funds. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women and candidates from diverse backgrounds. The position may involve periodic relocation to different duty stations as per the organization's mobility policy. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to maintaining a non-smoking environment.