Human Rights Officer, P-4

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Justice Protection and Social Rights Unit (JPSRU), Special Procedures Branch (SPB), Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division (TESPRDD) in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The incumbent will work as Secretary of the Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, under the general supervision of the Chief of Special Procedures Branch, and under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Justice Protection and Social Rights Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Plans, coordinates, monitors and evaluates activities relating to Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.
• Supports the work of special procedures.
• Prepares guidance and support to the Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas in its country visits; communications to Governments and other stakeholders, joint communications with other mandate holders, internal reporting or information and briefing notes, studies, correspondence, public information materials and reports to the General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
• Meets regularly with relevant stakeholders including UN staff to plan projects and review project activities.
• Maintains dialogue with States and national and regional human rights partners on all aspects related to the activities of the Working Group.
• Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Liaises with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
• Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
• Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights. Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems. Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Out of the seven years, a minimum of two (2) years of experience with human rights mechanisms is desirable. Experience in managing a team is desirable. Experience in legal research and analysis is desirable. Experience in drafting reports is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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