Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the Anti-Torture, Capacity Building, Coordination, and Funds Section (Section III), Human Rights Treaties Branch (HRTB), Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division (HRCTMD), in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Human Rights Treaties Branch under the general supervision of the Director of the Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
Serves as the Chief of Section III
- Formulates human rights strategies, including from a gender equality perspective; develops a vision or direction for the work of the section and creates the conditions for implementing that vision or direction;
- Represents the High Commissioner on matters of human rights;
- Proposes policy directives and plan of action to appropriate United Nations bodies including the Human Rights Treaty Bodies, for immediate and long- range solutions to human rights problems in general and specific geographical areas;
- Designs, develops and implements significant policy and program changes to address regional or global human rights issues, including their gender dimensions;
- Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the section and participates in the overall formulation and approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the Section;
- Prepares human rights reports on key sectors or key regional developments;
- Develops and maintains relations with human rights Treaty Body experts and officials at the highest levels of governments and advises them on human rights issues and policies;
- Coordinates and oversees human rights research initiatives;
- Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises other human rights officers or organizational segments as assigned;
- Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need;
- 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 and advise on highly sensitive and complex 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. Ability to relate and advise on 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
- 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;
- 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 aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
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 work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required;
- Experience in managing a team is required;
- Experience with human rights mechanisms is desirable;
- Experience with anti-torture work is desirable;
- Experience with human rights capacity building is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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