Posting Title : HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title : HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Department/ Office : Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Location : GENEVA

Posting Period : 28 December 2022-10 February 2023

Job Opening number : 22-Human Rights Affairs-OHCHR-198171-R-GENEVA (G)

Staffing Exercise : N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Rule of Law and Democracy Section, Rule of Law, Equality and Non-
Discrimination Branch, Research and Right to Development Division of the Office of the UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva. The incumbent reports to the
Chief of Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following
duties: • Provides extensive legal research and analysis and supports advocacy efforts on
issues related to human rights and democracy, in particular the right to participate in public
affairs. • Provides advice to field presences on draft legislation, policies and practices and
provides legal briefs and practices impacting international human rights obligations. •
Strengthens advice and technical assistance to States, including through the development of
tools and implementation and coordination of project activities regarding human rights and
democracy.• Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities relating to the implementation of
international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and
mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.• Organizes seminars, workshops and consultations
at the international, regional and national level.• Supports the work of treaty-established
bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures as relevant.• Prepares
human rights reports for the General Assembly, Human Rights Council, etc. and notes on the
status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.• Ensures up-to-date information
regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on
actions to take.• Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, civil society, 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 issues
related to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly, human rights
in the context of elections, and constitution-making. 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. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science,

international relations, social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university
degree in the specified fields of studies, in combination with two additional years of
qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job Specific Qualifications

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political

affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.Experience in the area of
international human rights law is desirable.Experience in legal drafting is desirable.
Experience in the development of policies, tools and guidelines related to human rights and
democracy, and/or public participation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post
advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of
staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity,
with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of
qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse
and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff
regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic
backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may
be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated
in the application.The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender
balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.For
this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or
underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2022, are strongly encouraged to
apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei
Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba,
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon,
Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic
Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua
New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Solomon
Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United
States of America, Vanuatu.Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates
recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of
two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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.The paramount consideration in the
appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest
standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment,
United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and
assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with
staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be
required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under
conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all
instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance,
applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on
"Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side 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.