Human Rights Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Human Rights Officer
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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 respected and upheld, providing support to various human rights mechanisms and promoting accountability for human rights violations. The organization operates in numerous countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to the mission of advancing human rights for all. The OHCHR is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that respects diversity and promotes gender equality.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is integral to the OHCHR's Special Procedures Branch, specifically within the Protection, Religion, Accountability, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Human Security Section. The role involves supporting the mandates of the section, which includes managing communications, case management, and organizing country visits. The officer will conduct substantive research and analysis on human rights issues, assess their impact on the human rights situation in the assigned region or country, and ensure that human rights considerations, particularly gender equality, are integrated into broader political, humanitarian, and economic efforts. The officer will also be responsible for drafting reports and communications for policy-making bodies, thereby playing a crucial role in the dissemination of human rights information and advocacy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: supporting the mandates of the section, planning and coordinating thematic and country-specific activities, conducting research and analysis on human rights issues, collecting and analyzing human rights data, providing support to mandate holders, ensuring the integration of human rights issues into various efforts, defining work plans, following up on cases verified by regional offices, representing the UN human rights program at meetings, conducting capacity-building efforts, and writing reports and communications. The officer will also perform other related duties as required, demonstrating a commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, including their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality, and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of the institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies, and procedures is essential. Candidates should have excellent research and analytical skills, the ability to identify and resolve human rights issues, and the capability to draft comprehensive human rights reports. A commitment to gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work is also required.

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. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Experience with human rights mechanisms, legal drafting, analysis, case management, and conducting country visits or fieldwork is desirable, indicating a well-rounded background in the field of human rights.

Languages:
Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is desirable, and proficiency in another UN official language is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The position encourages applications from candidates of under-represented Member States in the UN Secretariat. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process adheres to strict standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a focus on geographic diversity. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request. The position may involve periodic relocation to different duty stations as part of the UN's mobility policy.