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 to promote and protect human rights globally. The organization works to ensure that human rights are respected and upheld in all countries, providing support to governments and civil society in their efforts to implement international human rights standards. OHCHR operates in various regions, including conflict and post-conflict areas, and engages with a wide range of stakeholders to address human rights issues. The organization is committed to promoting equality and justice, and it employs a diverse workforce to reflect the global nature of its mission.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is crucial for coordinating the protection aspects of humanitarian responses in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT). The officer will work within the framework of the activated Humanitarian Cluster, ensuring that protection issues are integrated into humanitarian efforts and programs. This role involves monitoring and evaluating activities related to the implementation of international human rights instruments and preparing reports for various UN bodies, including the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council. The officer will collaborate with UN staff, national officials, and military and police officers to plan and review project activities, ensuring that human rights considerations are embedded in all humanitarian actions. The position also requires the officer to stay informed about human rights issues and make recommendations for action, as well as assist in developing training programs for humanitarian actors on protection and human rights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for a range of duties, including coordinating protection aspects of humanitarian responses, integrating protection issues into humanitarian programs, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of human rights instruments, preparing reports for UN bodies, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The officer will also lead a team, manage administrative functions, and ensure that human rights issues are addressed in all relevant programs. Additional responsibilities include developing training programs for humanitarian actors, providing recommendations on actions to take regarding human rights issues, and maintaining up-to-date information on human rights matters in the region. The officer will also be expected to perform other related duties as required, demonstrating professionalism and effective communication skills throughout their work.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, including the ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources. The role requires knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations and the ability to assess the impact of political and legal environments on human rights situations. Candidates should demonstrate 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. The position demands a high level of professionalism, commitment to gender equality, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.

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. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of human rights law and international relations, which are critical for the role.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Candidates should have at least five years of experience in humanitarian protection in conflict or post-conflict situations, as well as experience in coordinating protection responses within humanitarian crises. Additionally, candidates should have experience managing a team of at least five staff members, demonstrating leadership and organizational skills in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial. Furthermore, knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it would enhance communication and understanding within the context of the occupied Palestinian territory.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for six months, subject to the availability of funds. If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, but it does not guarantee future employment in the same position. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to 'internal candidates' who have been recruited through a competitive examination. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.