Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Global Operations Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Panama City, and functions as Regional Director for the Americas. The Regional Director reports to the Division Director.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Regional Director will be responsible for the following duties:
- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Regional Office and country leads/representatives under his/her supervision;
- Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Regional Office, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and human rights presences in the region under his/her supervision, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate;
- Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Regional Office under his/her responsibility;
- Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Regional Office and by human rights presences in the region under his/her supervision;
- Provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others;
- Responsible for directing and supervising the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation projects at the request of Governments; Directs and supervises the planning, support and evaluation of human rights field presences and missions. Responsible for maintaining cooperation on human rights issues with Member States, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, media, academia, with UN country teams and with regional and sub-regional institutions; Ensures that substantive and administrative support is provided to human rights fact finding and investigatory mechanisms which deal with specific country situations. Draws to the attention of the Director to all pertinent information and recommendations emanating from fact-finding activities, giving particular attention to situations in which preventive human rights action might be appropriate;
- Engages in strategic resource mobilization, strategic communications and advocacy as the High Commissioner’s representative for the Americas;
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Regional Office and human rights presences maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the presences under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates;
- Oversees the preparations of the work programme of the Regional Office and human rights presences, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities;
- 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience of which at least 10 years in human rights or related field, preferably at the international level (related fields may include, inter alia, humanitarian and refugee assistance and/or protection, peace operations, and development) is required;
- Experience in working with an international organization in a multi-cultural environment is required;
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible supervisory, management and leadership experience is required;
- At least 10 years of human rights or closely related field experience is required. Managing on-site implementation of projects and operations, as well as effective headquarters management of such operations is desirable;
- Experience in strategic resource mobilization is desirable;
- Field experience working on Human Rights is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required.
Application instructions
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