Overview
The Human Rights Officer will be responsible for early warning and prevention, emergency response, and monitoring the implementation of international human rights instruments.
Key Responsibilities
- Acts as early warning and prevention team lead: develops and carries out appropriate early warning analysis, identifies preventative measures to address human rights protection needs through remote monitoring or in country missions, establishes and nurtures partnerships with relevant early warning systems in the region.
- Acts as emergency response capacity to be rapidly deployed and to provide immediate start-up capacity in relation to human rights and humanitarian emergencies.
- Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.
- Supports the work of treaty-established bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures.
- Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc. notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.
- Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps design and implements the human rights program and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation.
- Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take.
- Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
- Assists partners to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
- Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Chief of Office, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
- Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Required Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Field experience with the United Nations Common System or similar international organization in an emergency or humanitarian setting is desirable. Experience on risk analysis and prevention is desirable.
Qualifications
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) 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.
