Human Rights Officer

Job Description

**Responsibilities** The incumbent will report to the Coordinator of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) or a Senior Officer, under the functional supervision of the Chief of the Capacity Building and Field Operations Branch (CBB) in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva. Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - assist in the development of proposals for OHCHR policies to address the issues surrounding human rights and humanitarian action; contribute to reinforce contacts with other UN and non-UN international organizations on issues related to human rights and humanitarian action; assist the OHCHR focal point on humanitarian inter-agency fora, in particular the Inter-Agency Steering Committee (IASC) mechanisms and bodies; assist in supporting OHCHR field and desk-officers in the implementation of the relevant IASC humanitarian reforms, including the cluster approach; assist in liaising with all branches of OHCHR, in particular the Research and Right to Development Branch (RRDB), to involve them in mainstreaming human rights into humanitarian action; contribute analysis in the area of protection with a view to enable the office to develop policy and guidance on the integration of human rights/protection into humanitarian action. The incumbent will also contribute to reports and papers of relevant UN departments submitted to the General Assembly and the Executive Committees on Humanitarian Action; contribute to the review, coordination or preparation of research reports, background papers and other relevant documents for the Secretary-General, High Commissioner and the Secretariat, as well as the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and for the Human Rights Council, as necessary. Additional substantive guidance and day-to-day supervision to the incumbent will be provided by the OHCHR focal point on humanitarian action. **Competencies** Professionalism - Knowledge of and experience in field operations, policy coordination, inter-agency work and settings, and sound knowledge of and wide exposure to the broad range of protection, human rights issues and humanitarian action; Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights and humanitarian action. Communication - Good communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentation) skills, including ability to draft/edit a variety of reports and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style; ability to communicate complex concepts orally. Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills; ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Technological awareness - Good computer skills, including in word processing, and other relevant software packages. **QUALIFICATIONS** Education Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in law, political sciences, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in human rights or related field, including experience in the field with a UN operational agency. Experience in planning and delivery of field activities and establishment of emergency operations would be an asset. Languages Fluency in English or French and a working knowledge of the other highly desirable; knowledge of another UN official language is an asset. Other Skills Substantive and practical experience in the use of programming and planning tools and frameworks, including Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP)/Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) desirable, so as field experience in complex humanitarian operations and/or in multidimensional UN peace missions. The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. **How to apply** All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2002/4 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. 1. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a “My UN” account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. 2. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. 3. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. 4. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: Fax: + Please click to apply online.