The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization to promote international co-operation. A replacement for the ineffective League of Nations, the organization was established on 24 October 1945

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Plans and coordinates activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, including from a gender perspective.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country.
• Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
• Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions and other bodies; follows-up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies.
• Ensures human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programme.
• Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Assists national stakeholders to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Supervises field verification work through periodic visits; follows up on different cases and situations verified by the regional offices.
• Represents UN human rights programme at working level meetings.
• Directs capacity-building efforts on human rights in region/country of assignment.
• Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related area.
• 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
• Experience working with an international organization in a development context is required.
• Experience creating partnership with Governments and/or civil society on civic space and/or counterterrorism is required.
• Experience working on human rights issues related to the African region or similar field contexts is desirable.