Human Rights Officer (Women's Rights)

Job Description

**Responsibilities** Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Research and Right to Development Branch (RRDB) and the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Women’s Human Rights and Gender Unit, the incumbent will: Provide expert advice with the view to implementing S-G and HC’s policy on promoting and protecting women’s human rights, and encouraging and facilitating the integration of women’s human rights and gender perspectives in the work and implementation for the recommendations of human rights mechanisms: Conduct research, develop programmes and provide analytical and expert advice and input into the activities of human rights mechanisms and of the Office with regard to women’s human rights – in particular in connection with the integration of a human rights perspective into activities designed to increase women’s participation in decision-making and on women’s rights and development, with particular attention to economic, social and cultural rights. Provide guidance and expertise in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects, training programme, organizational instruments and tools including for advisory services and technical cooperation programmes and in general, provide guidance in supporting integration of women’s human rights and of gender perspectives in human rights activities at country level Review, monitor and evaluate activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council and support advocacy on women’s human rights. Contribute to and prepare reports for the General Assembly, Human Rights Council, etc, relating to issues of women’s human rights. Represent the Office in liaison with UN system organizations, agencies and non-UN entities including governments, inter- and non-governmental organizations on coordination and collaboration of actions in the field of women’s human rights. Coordinate contact and working relationship with the counterparts and focal points of the UN system, other international organizations and governments on women’s issues. Brief the representatives of the above-mentioned entities and provide, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations. Perform other related duties as required. **Competencies** Professionalism - Comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of a broad range of human rights issues, and knowledge or experience of women’s human rights, to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex problems; very good knowledge of international human rights instruments and knowledge of women’s human rights instruments; demonstrated ability to analyse accurately proposed norms and policies for compliance with international human rights standards; ability to relate human rights issues and perspectives to gender and women’s issues, and to related political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas; Communication - Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations at senior levels in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences; Teamwork - Ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relations both as a team member and as a task manager, with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Judgement/Decision-making - Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation, and come to the heart of the problem quickly; to propose a course of action or make a recommendation based on all available information; Discretion and sound judgment in applying expertise to resolve complex and/or sensitive issues. Leadership - Ability to empower others to translate vision into results, serving as a role model that other people would want to follow; ability to anticipate and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drive for change and improvement and proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; shows courage to take unpopular stands. **QUALIFICATIONS** Education Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in law, political science, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience At least 7 years of experience in the human rights or closely related field, particularly in gender mainstreaming and women’s human rights, including at least 3 years at the international level. Languages Fluency in oral and written English or French; working knowledge of the other highly desirable. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an asset. Other Skills 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.