Senior Human Rights Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a part of the United Nations system and is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights globally. Established in 1993, OHCHR works to ensure that the rights of individuals are respected and upheld in accordance with international human rights standards. The organization operates in various countries around the world, engaging with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to address human rights issues. OHCHR employs a diverse workforce of professionals committed to advancing human rights and fostering a culture of respect and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their background.

Job Overview:
The Senior Human Rights Officer position is a pivotal role within the Anti-Torture, Capacity Building, Coordination, and Funds Section of the Human Rights Treaties Branch. The incumbent will be responsible for formulating human rights strategies, particularly with a focus on gender equality, and will develop a vision for the section's work. This role involves representing the High Commissioner on human rights matters, proposing policy directives, and designing significant policy and program changes to address human rights issues on a regional and global scale. The officer will also prepare reports on key human rights developments, maintain relations with Treaty Body experts, and oversee research initiatives. The position requires strong leadership skills to manage and coordinate the work of other human rights officers and ensure effective data-driven decision-making.

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

• Serving as the Chief of Section III and formulating human rights strategies.
• Developing a vision for the section's work and creating conditions for its implementation.
• Representing the High Commissioner on human rights matters.
• Proposing policy directives and plans of action to UN bodies for addressing human rights issues.
• Designing and implementing policy changes to tackle regional and global human rights challenges.
• Formulating the section's programme of work, budget, and medium-term plans.
• Preparing human rights reports on significant developments.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with human rights experts and government officials.
• Coordinating human rights research initiatives. 1
• Managing and supervising other human rights officers. 1
• Leading efforts to collect and analyze data for informed decision-making. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, including the ability to address complex problems with sensitivity to political, ethnic, racial, gender, and socio-economic dimensions. They should have knowledge of the institutional mandates of human rights organizations and prevailing policies. The ability to evaluate and integrate information from various sources is essential, as is the capacity to conduct in-depth studies and provide actionable recommendations. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to plan and organize work efficiently. Leadership qualities are crucial, as the role involves empowering team members and driving change.

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 ten years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Candidates should have experience in managing a team and familiarity with human rights mechanisms. Experience in anti-torture work and human rights capacity building is desirable, indicating a well-rounded background in the field.

Languages:
Fluency in English or French, both oral and written, is required for this position. Knowledge of the other language is desirable, and proficiency in another UN official language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of the United Nations Secretariat, which emphasizes the importance of geographic diversity and gender balance in its staffing. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the UN does not request any fees from applicants. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. Staff members are subject to periodic reassignment to different functions and duty stations as part of their career development within the UN.