Associate Human Rights Officer, P-2

Associate Human Rights Officer, P-2

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), Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division (HRCTMD), Human Rights Treaties Branch (HRTB), Anti-Torture, Capacity Building, Coordination and Funds Section, Geneva. The Associate Human Rights Officer works the under the general supervision of the Chief of Section and direct supervision of the Secretaries of the Committees and the Humanitarian Fund Unit (Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery).

Responsibilities

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

• Supports the Humanitarian Funds including managing a grants portfolio, evaluating civil society project applications, organizing Board of Trustees’ sessions, organizing fundraising initiatives and drafting communications materials.
• Contributes to the work of human rights treaty bodies as required.
• Researches and collects information pertaining to human rights matters, including their gender dimensions from a variety of data sources (e.g. human rights mechanisms communications, publications, the press) to keep abreast of issues/events and provide up-to-date information; assists in the analysis of information, to include the impact on the countries and thematic, issues on the human rights situation in assigned area.
• Drafts lists of issues, concluding observations, a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters.
• Participates in sessions and consultations; prepares summaries of results.
• Maintains awareness of current human rights issues, to include relevant political and legal developments in the country(ies) concerned.
• Participates in human rights training programmes for national law enforcement officials, representatives of the 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 programmes.
• Participates with other HROs in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential 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.
• Liaises with government, NGOs, Civil Society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups.
• Designs and maintains database to track project progress.
• Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, analyze information and draft human rights reports. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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 (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. (No experience is needed for candidates who have passed a United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination.)
• Experience working in civil society organizations is desirable.
• Experience with financial aspects of project management and/or grants management systems is desirable. Experience with direct assistance to victims of human rights violation 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.

Apply NowDeadline 30 July