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 the rights of individuals are respected and upheld, and it plays a crucial role in addressing human rights violations. The organization operates in various regions, including the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and is committed to integrating human rights into all aspects of international relations and humanitarian efforts. The OHCHR employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with numerous stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international organizations, to advance human rights agendas.

Job Overview:
The Human Rights Officer position is a critical role within the OHCHR, specifically in the MENA Section of the Global Operations Division located in Geneva. The officer will be responsible for planning and coordinating activities related to human rights mandates, conducting substantive research and analysis on human rights issues, and assessing their impact on the situation in the assigned region or country. This role requires a strong understanding of human rights from a gender perspective, as the officer will collect and analyze data, provide support to various commissions, and ensure that human rights considerations are integrated into political and humanitarian efforts. The officer will also be involved in capacity-building initiatives, training programs for military and police, and will represent the UN human rights program in meetings. The position demands a proactive approach to identifying trends and patterns in human rights data, and the ability to communicate findings effectively through reports and presentations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Human Rights Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: planning and coordinating thematic and country-specific human rights activities; conducting research and analysis of human rights issues; collecting and analyzing human rights data, including gender-specific indicators; supporting sub-commissions and following up on policy decisions; integrating human rights issues into broader political and economic efforts; defining work plans in accordance with established terms of reference; assisting in the development of training programs for military and police; supervising field verification work; representing the UN human rights program at meetings; directing capacity-building efforts; writing reports and communications; providing guidance to junior staff; and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of human rights issues and the ability to identify related problems across various dimensions, including political, ethnic, racial, and socio-economic factors. They should have excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to draft comprehensive human rights reports and evaluate information from diverse sources. The ideal candidate will demonstrate professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender equality in all areas of work. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, as is the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

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 in human rights monitoring and reporting is desirable, as is experience within the United Nations Common System or similar international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in Arabic is desirable, which would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in the MENA region.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for 6.5 months, subject to the availability of funds. Current staff members holding a fixed-term, permanent, or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions, but there are specific eligibility requirements based on their current grade. The position is classified as temporary and does not guarantee future employment. The United Nations is committed to diversity and inclusion, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.