These positions are located in the Special Procedures Branch of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The incumbent reports to the respective Chief / Coordinator of the Unit/Section.
ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Associate Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Assists, advises and supports one or several special procedures mandate-holders in monitoring the thematic human rights situation worldwide, ensuring a gender perspective, through the research, collection, analysis and verification of relevant information. - Drafts a variety of briefing notes, official correspondence and other documents relating to the mandate(s). Drafts a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters. - Participates in consultations, seminars, etc.; prepares summaries of results. - Assists the mandate-holder(s) in country visits, including preparation of the visits; drafting of mission reports and follow-up to the implementation of recommendations. - Maintains awareness of current human rights issues, to include relevant political and legal developments in country/ies concerned. Promotes the mandate/s and related rights. - Participates in human rights training program for national law enforcement officials, representatives of civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to promote national capacity building. - Reviews human rights issues, including their gender dimensions, and participates in discussions with other Human Rights Officers (HROs) on the integration of these issues into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programme. - Participates with other HROs in discussions with relevant authorities and other actors with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations or seeks other remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future. - Researches, collects and analyses information pertaining to special procedures from a variety of data sources, in particular in relation to the impact of special procedures and their cooperation with various stakeholders. - Liaises with governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups. - Performs other related duties as required.
CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of international human rights law, in particular human rights treaty bodies. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) 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 ExperienceA minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience working in support of UN human rights mechanisms is desirable. Experience in research and drafting analytical reports is desirable.
No experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Examination (YPP), United Nations National Competitive Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G-to-P).
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French (oral and written) and knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of other official United Nations language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeTHIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO (2) MONTHS, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION - SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.
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.