Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer (Gender Adviser) will be responsible for the following duties: – Advises the Members of the Fact-Finding Mission on the gender dimensions of human rights violations and abuses, including through gender analysis, advice on, training, ensuring integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Fact-Finding Mission; – Researches, documents and collects information pertaining to women’s human rights and gender issues directly related to the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission, including violations of international human rights and, international criminal law; – Recommends referral pathways addressed to victims and survivors, in accordance with agreed methodology and strategy of the Fact-Finding Mission, as well as OHCHR’ s methodology and full respect for the ‘do no harm principle’; – Ensures proper documentation, collection, preservation of information, analysis and reporting on cases of sexual and gender-based violence and other gender-based human rights violations and abuses and that the gender-specific impact of violations is assessed, documented, analysed and reported by all members of the team; – Conducts and/or assists the team in interviewing and evidence gathering activities, ensuring that necessary measures of protection and confidentiality for witnesses and victims are gender-sensitive; – Participates in field missions for information gathering activities; – Contributes to the drafting and timely submission of the final report, recommendations and other analytical documents of the Fact-Finding Mission; ensure that such documents integrate gender perspective and that gender-sensitive language is used throughout them; – Suggests gender-specific priority recommendations for the final report, including on sexual and gender-based violence; – Provides advice to the team on the integration of gender-sensitive information gathering methods including interviewing, security arrangements, witness and victim protection and safe information and data handling; – Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights and economic policy and development issues, including approaches and techniques to integrate human rights in development work and address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights and development organizations, prevailing policies and procedures under the UN development reform. 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 and economic environments and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights and development. Ability to assess and address needs for technical assistance and capacity building in the area of human rights mainstreaming for regional and national partners, complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in development in specific societies and systems.

Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities, UN partners and members of advocacy groups to recognize human rights in the context of economic policy and development 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. 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. 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. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are 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

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science, international relations or another discipline related to human rights is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, international humanitarian law or international criminal law is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience working on women’s human rights, gender integration and/or on sexual and gender-based violence is required. Experience in providing gender analysis in human rights monitoring or human rights, international humanitarian law or criminal law investigations is desirable. Experience in drafting reports is desirable. Relevant experience in working in or on the Middle East region 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. Fluency in Persian is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.