Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region (UNTDC), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Doha. The incumbent reports to the Head of the UNTDC.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: a) Serves as Coordinator of the Human Rights Training Unit with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Head of the Centre, work coordination actions in relation to the Unit; manages staff of the Unit; coordinates with other Units of the Centre to ensure complementarity and achieve comprehensive implementation of the Centre's mandate; b) Leads the coordination of all human rights training programmes of the Unit; develops, coordinates and supervises the production and delivery of regional and sub-regional human rights training programmes, materials, tools and learning methodologies in identified priority areas, for use by the Centre, relevant OHCHR offices, government and other institutions, NHRIs, civil society organizations, and other audiences and stakeholders, including on human rights based approaches, relevant to the Centre’s mandate, to strengthen their capacity in the field of human rights; and develops dissemination strategies for training and education materials; c) Undertakes needs assessment exercises, based on OHCHR priorities in the region, to identify areas where human rights training programmes or materials need to be developed, updated or customized, through consultative processes involving national and regional actors, OHCHR, including field offices, UN departments and agencies; d) Ensures that all Centre's human rights training activities apply OHCHR methodology, including appropriate needs assessment and evaluation, to ensure their relevance, quality and impact; provides guidance to the Unit's staff to this end, and exercises quality control on the Centre's work products in this field; e) Coordinate closely with OHCHR Methodology, Learning, Policy and Practice Section (MLPP) at Global Operations Division, particularly the Human Rights Training Unit, with regard to the application of OHCHR training methodology, and to ensure that experience on training at global, regional and country level is exchanged, good practices identified and applied to optimize training effectiveness and impact; f) Prepares a strategy and an annual workplan for the Unit, including relevant resource requirements, as part of the overall workplan of the Centre and based on identified needs and priorities, to ensure implementation of the Centre's human rights training mandate; ensures reporting on activities and results as required; g) Provides specialized training methodology support and advice to OHCHR field offices in the region to support country-level activities; h) Develops partnerships with training institutions, selected relevant institutions, and relevant UN entities; i) Ensures that gender equality considerations are integrated into human rights training policies and programmes and evaluation processes and provides effective monitoring of the Centre's programme in this regard; j) Drafts reports and a variety of other documents for the Centre; drafts and evaluates human rights technical projects and other activities as required and makes recommendations on actions to take; k) Manages and coordinates the activities and staff of the Unit, including managing performance, providing supervision and guidance, training, assigning tasks and responsibilities, and ensuring that deadlines are met; l) Represents the Centre in meetings as required; m) Performs other related duties as requested by the Head of Centre.

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 designing and implementing human rights education and training programmes for different types of audiences and related methodologies. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures particularly in the field of human rights education and training. 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.

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.
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 of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of professional experience in human rights, education, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience in designing, managing and delivering human rights training and education programmes is required. Experience in working with governments and stakeholders (NHRIs, civil society, others) including through capacity building is desirable. Experience in managing and supervising staff is desirable. Experience in a field operation of the UN Common system or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III
Arabic	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, China, Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Oman, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Turkmenistan, United States of America. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER