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 OHCHR works to ensure that human rights are respected and upheld in all countries, providing support to governments and civil society in their efforts to promote human rights. The organization operates in various regions, including the occupied Palestinian territory, where it focuses on addressing human rights violations and promoting accountability. The OHCHR is committed to fostering a culture of human rights and ensuring that the voices of the marginalized and oppressed are heard. The office in Ramallah is part of a broader network of UN human rights offices worldwide, working collaboratively to address human rights challenges and promote sustainable development goals. The OHCHR employs a diverse workforce of professionals dedicated to human rights advocacy and protection, with a mission to uphold the dignity and worth of every individual.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is crucial for the effective implementation of human rights mandates in the occupied Palestinian territory. The incumbent will be responsible for planning and coordinating activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, with a strong emphasis on gender perspectives. This role involves conducting substantive research and analysis of human rights issues, assessing their impact on the situation in the assigned region. The officer will collect and analyze human rights data, including gender-specific indicators, to inform policy-making and program implementation. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including military and police forces, to develop training programs on human rights and international law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law. The Human Rights Officer will also engage in field verification work, represent the UN human rights program in meetings, and contribute to capacity-building efforts in the region. This role demands a high level of professionalism, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a challenging environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Planning and coordinating human rights activities related to thematic and country mandates, ensuring gender perspectives are integrated.
• Conducting substantive research and analysis of human rights and international humanitarian law issues, assessing their impact on the human rights situation.
• Collecting and analyzing human rights data and indicators, including gender-specific data.
• Supporting sub-commissions and other bodies, following up on the implementation of decisions made by policy-making bodies.
• Ensuring that human rights and humanitarian law issues are integrated into political, humanitarian, and economic efforts.
• Defining work plans in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Assisting military and police in developing training programs on human rights and the rule of law.
• Conducting field verification work through periodic visits and following up on cases verified by national human rights officers.
• Representing the UN human rights program at meetings and contributing to capacity-building efforts. 1
• Writing reports, communications, and briefings for policy-making bodies. 1
• Providing guidance to new or junior staff as needed. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, with the ability to identify related problems in 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 demonstrate research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify sources for data collection and draft comprehensive human rights reports. The ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources and assess its impact on the human rights situation is crucial. Candidates should also show a commitment to incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Strong communication skills, both written and oral, are necessary for effective interaction with diverse audiences.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related area 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 complex legal and political frameworks that govern human rights.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. At least two years of experience in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable, as it provides valuable insights into the challenges faced in such environments. Experience in human rights monitoring and the application of international humanitarian law is also desirable. Additionally, candidates should have experience in drafting official reports and communications, which is critical for effective advocacy and reporting.

Languages:
Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French or another UN official language is considered an advantage, as it enhances communication capabilities within the diverse UN environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to the availability of funding and may involve relocation to different duty stations as required by the UN's operational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process will adhere to the principles of fairness and transparency, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications and suitability for the role. The UN does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.