HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (Special Assistant) (2 positions)

Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Thematic and Special Procedures (TSP) Division. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Division.

Responsibilities

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

• Provides direct and timely support to the Director, including with regard to strategic planning, reporting, advocacy and guidance on thematic human rights issues.
• 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 extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures.
• Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc. notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.
• Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps design and implements the human rights program and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation.
• Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• 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 polit...