Representative, Human Rights, P-5

Representative, Human Rights, P-5

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

Nouakchott, Mauritania

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Africa Branch, Global Operations Division (GLO) of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nouakchott, Country Office in Mauritania. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Africa Branch, under the functional supervision of the Director of GLO.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Branch, the Regional Representative is responsible for the following functions:

• Follows human rights developments in the country, with a view to providing the High Commissioner with advice on human rights situation, and alerts the High Commissioner through the Africa Branch to any early-warning signs of serious human rights crises in the country in order for him/her to take appropriate action within his mandate;
• In line with human rights mainstreaming mechanisms established under the UNDG, develops strategic relationships with the UN Country Team, advising and lending support as required, especially within the framework of the human rights based approach and human rights based planning and programming, coordination mechanisms and inter-agency cooperation;
• As a member of the UN Country Team, develops, widens and enhances OHCHR's network of partners and contacts in the region to provide human rights advice and support the Resident Coordinator and UN partner agencies, as required;
• Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan, and supervises the timely delivery of outputs specified in the work-plans of country desk officers and teams, and administrative matters, including the best use of human and financial resources in accordance with priorities and workload;
• Advises on strategic interventions, including country visits by special procedures mandate holders in the country, as appropriate and generally follows up on the recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights for the country;
• Manages the Country Office of the OHCHR, including supervision, development and training of international and national staff; sets performance objectives and undertakes regular review of performance;
• Represents OHCHR on matters of human rights in meetings with national authorities at the central as well as local levels, with members of the international community, as well as with representatives of national and international NGOs;
• Designs, develops and implements significant policies and programs to address human rights issues and to assist national authorities at the central as well as local levels in identifying and specifying their needs for advisory services and technical cooperation, including through the preparation and conduct of assessment missions;
• Promotes the ratification and implementation of international human rights mechanisms and support activities of these, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes;
• Engages with regional intergovernmental organizations, civil society, national human rights institutions and media for the promotion of the respect and protection of human rights;
• 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 and advise on highly sensitive and complex problems 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 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;
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable;
• 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;
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. 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;
• JUDGMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science or international relations, or other disciplines related to human rights. 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 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area, at national and/or international levels, is required. Experience in developing, implementing and coordinating strategies related to human rights is required. Out of the ten years, five years of experience in managing teams of at least 5 people is desirable. Experience in fundraising and interaction with donors is desirable. At least three years of experience with regional or international organizations is desirable. Field experience in developing and implementing human rights strategies at national levels is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French (both oral and written) are required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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