Senior Human Rights Officer, P-5

Senior Human Rights Officer, P-5

UN OHCHR - United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division (TESPRDD), Development and Economic and Social Issues Branch (DESIB), Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of DESIB.

Responsibilities

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

• Formulates human rights strategies on digital technology, including from a gender equality perspective; develops a vision or direction for the work of the human rights and digital technology Section and creates the conditions for implementing that vision or direction, including resource mobilization and staff motivation.
• Represents the High Commissioner on matters of human rights and digital technology.
• Proposes policy directives and plan of action to appropriate United Nations bodies for immediate and long- range solutions to human rights problems in general and specific geographical areas, in particular as they relate to human rights and digital technology.
• Designs, develops and implements policies and programs on human rights and digital technology, including the gender dimension, taking into consideration activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, treaty-established bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures.
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the digital technology Section and participates in the overall formulation and approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Branch/Division.
• Prepares human rights reports on key sectors or key regional developments.
• Develops and maintains relations with officials at the highest levels of governments and advises them on human rights issues and policies.
• Coordinates and oversees human rights research initiatives.
• Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises other human rights officers or organizational segments as assigned.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues related to digital technology 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 and digital technology problems in specific societies and systems. Ability to relate and advise on 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• 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 & ORGANIZATION: 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. VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
• 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 ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience working on issues at the intersection of human rights and digital technology is required.
• Experience working in an international setting or within more than one geographic region is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of management experience is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience working with or within the digital tech industry or civil society organizations focusing on digital tech and human rights is desirable.
• Experience working with government regulation and policy relating to digital technology 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 and Spanish is desirable.

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