Associate Human Rights Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) was established by Security Council resolution 2476 and is mandated to promote and strengthen political stability and good governance, including the rule of law, preserving, and advancing a peaceful and stable environment, supporting an inclusive inter-Haitian national dialogue, and protecting and promoting human rights in Haiti. This position is located in the Office of the SRSG within the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, (BINUH), Port-au-Prince. The incumbent reports to the Senior Victims’ Rights Officer (SVRO).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Supports the SVRO to implement victim assistance and support activities, policies, and procedures. 2. Supports the SVRO to maintain direct and regular contact with victims, refer them to assistance and provide support to them. 3. Researches, collects, verifies, analyses and synthesizes significant amounts of information, including from open sources, of relevance to victims’ rights in the designated mission area. 4. Supports the SVRO to participate in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors with a view to seek remedial action by the authorities and prevent similar occurrences in the future. 5. Assists in liaising with appropriate local and national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners. 6. Monitors the national legal systems and their compliance with international human rights instruments, as well as the implementation of recommendations by UN human rights bodies. 7. Supports in the development of initiatives to strengthen the response to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). 8. Drafts variety of reports, briefings and other types of communications relating to SEA and victims’ rights matters in compliance with established standards. 9. Contributes to the formulation of meaningful recommendations and strategies to better promote and protect victims’ rights in the mission area. 10. Contributes to the mainstreaming of victims’ rights in the formulation and implementation of the BINUH and UN agency activities at country and local levels, including in the work of the Protection against SEA (PSEA) Network. 11. Supports the integration of victims’ rights in humanitarian action through participating in emergency preparedness and response activities, including in the work of the Protection Cluster and Gender Based Violence (GBV) sub-cluster, as appropriate. 12. Works directly with other UN special political mission components/sections, including the police, to integrate victims’ rights in their respective activities. 13. Supports human rights capacity building efforts for civil society and state authorities, including for aligning legislative and rule of law reforms with international human rights norms and for the State to meet international human rights law obligations. 14. Participates in the design, delivery and evaluation of human rights training programmes for national officials, civil society representatives, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national stakeholders in order to build national capacities. 15. Supports the SVRO to ensure the timely entry of accurate and verified information about assistance to victims into a database in compliance with established standards. 16. Contributes to the Integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls’ rights issues in all activities and to the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 17. Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of and exposure to human rights problems, including their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in Haiti. Knowledge of the United Nations framework for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse and the mandate of the Victims’ Rights Advocate, as well as relevant policies. Knowledge of in-country programming of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with complementary mandates. Expertise in approaches and techniques to embed a victims’ rights approach in the delivery of assistance and support.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. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

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

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or a closely related field is required. Experience working on confidential matters is required. IT skills, including ability to use Microsoft Office and social media applications is required. Experience in case management and counselling skills is desirable. Experience in analyzing large amounts of information, including from open sources is desirable. Experience providing services in the United Nations Common System or a human rights organization in Haiti is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in French, (both oral and written) is required; Fluency in English (both oral and written) is desirable. Fluency in Haitian Creole (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Les agents des services généraux recrutés localement qui postulent ce poste doivent remplir les conditions minimales, y compris les qualifications académiques et les années d’expérience pertinente. Une expérience pertinente dans la catégorie des services généraux aux niveaux G-6 et G-7 peut être prise en compte dans les exigences en matière d’expérience.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.