Human Rights Officer, P-4

Human Rights Officer, P-4

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

Geneva, Switzerland

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division (CTMD), Human Rights Treaties Branch (HRTB), Civil, Political, Economic, Social, Cultural Rights and Urgent Action Section (CPESCRUAS), Geneva, Switzerland. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Human Rights Treaties Branch (HRTB), the incumbent reports directly to the Chief of the Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Urgent Actions Section.

Responsibilities

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

• Serves as Secretary of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
• Oversees the research and analysis support of the secretariat of the Committee.
• Prepares documentation for Committee sessions, including the annual report of the Committee to the Economic and Social Council.
• 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.
• Supports the work of treaty-established bodies and facilitates the adoption of measures to rationalize the functioning of the treaty body system.
• Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc. notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.
• Meets regularly with UN staff, national officials.
• Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs.
• Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights with respect to the work of the Committee, makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Communicates with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs 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.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• 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 the treaty body system and of economic, social and cultural rights. 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 to recognize 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• 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.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• 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 seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
• A minimum of four (4) years or more of experience working in the United Nations Common System or similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience in servicing international or regional human rights mechanisms 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 is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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