Overview
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for implementing activities related to projects and programmes to promote work on business and human rights, including from a gender perspective, and conducting research and analysis of human rights issues.
Key Responsibilities
- Defines workplan for assigned country(ies) in accordance with established terms of reference, and implements activities related to projects and programmes to promote work on business and human rights, including from a gender perspective.
- Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned country (ies) or region.
- Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
- Formulate actionable recommendations to advance the development, adoption and implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) on business and human rights, ensuring that access to remedy mechanisms are appropriately considered throughout these processes.
- Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions and other bodies; follows-up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies.
- Ensures human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programme.
- Directs capacity-building efforts on human rights in region/country of assignment.
- Supervises field verification work through periodic visits; follows up on different cases and situations verified by the regional offices
- Assists countries’ relevant institutions, including private sector entities to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, including business and human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
- Provide effective support to companies by developing management tools, conducting studies, and establishing internal monitoring and due diligence mechanisms for UNGPs compliance.
- Represents UN human rights programme at working level meetings.
- Writes a variety of reports, including project implementation progress reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
- Coordinate with the OHCHR Kenya and Democratic Republic of the Congo Country Offices.
- May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Required Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience in business and human rights is required. Experience in engagement with the business sector is required. Experience in capacity-building and implementing technical cooperation projects is desirable. Experience in programme management and project implementation is desirable.
Qualifications
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.
