Human Rights Officer - OHCHR
- Posting Title: Human Rights Officer, P4
- Job Code Title: HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER
- Department/Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Duty Station: GAZA
- Posting Period: 23 October 2020 - 21 November 2020
- Job Opening Number: 20-Human Rights Affairs-OHCHR-142983-R-Gaza (G)
- Staffing Exercise N/A
Org. Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the Gaza Sub Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the occupied Palestinian territory. The incumbent reports to the OHCHR Head of Office.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and under direct supervision of the Head of Office, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- • Assists the Head of the OHCHR Office in the occupied Palestinian territory to oversee the execution of the Office work plan ensuring optimal use of resources allocated; the necessary coordination and organisation among all programme areas; and supervise the daily activities of the Sub Office;
- • Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities related to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council (HRC).
- • Oversees monitoring and documentation and prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc.
- • Meets regularly with the authorities, national human rights institution, NGOs and civil society to develop institutional capacity, knowledge and understanding necessary to bring laws, policies and practices into compliance with human rights norms.
- • Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country to integrate human rights perspective, helps design and implements the human rights program of the Office and organization and focus of the evaluation.
- • Ensures up-to-date information and monitoring regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take.
- • Maintains contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and government counterparts on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
- • Assists in the development and implementation of a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives;
- • Responsible for carrying out, in consultation with the Head of Office, work coordination, planning and reporting, and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
- • Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
- • 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 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. 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.
- • 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 & 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 that 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, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
- Relevant field experience is desirable.
- Previous experience in managing a team is desirable.
- At least two years’ experience in human rights monitoring, and/or investigation in conflict affected situations, is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2020, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.