HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Job Description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Human Rights and Protection Group of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). The Human Rights Officer will be based in Mogadishu and reports to the Chief Human Rights Officer and/or their delegate.

Responsibilities

The Human Rights Officer will act as team leader responsible for the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy Team within the Human Rights and Protection Group. Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: General: Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area, including for peace processes; Works directly with other components of the UN peace operation, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs and operations, including through developing procedures and policies and the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, as appropriate; Plans, designs, implements and evaluates strategies for the mainstreaming of human rights in the activities of the UN peace mission and the UNCT and advocates for the integration of human rights in these programs, including within the framework of the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy; Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating or coordinating emergency preparedness and response activities including in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate; Contributes to advocacy strategies, advocates and advises relevant authorities, including State officials, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), UN and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) senior management, on strategies to better protect and promote human rights and mechanisms to stop impunity and redress human rights violations; Establishes and maintains contact with national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with complementary mandates , and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advise on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights; Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls’ rights issues in all activities, programmes and strategies; Facilitates cooperation and appropriate communication with OHCHR in the establishment of policies and sharing of best practices; Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora as appropriate; Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other UN and non-UN actors, state authorities, donors and other stakeholders for effective policy coordination; Promotes coordination among all human rights related mandates present in the mission area; Analyses and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights, including from open sources; Reaches out to various UN actors to collect and analyse information of relevance to human rights; Promotes the effective flow of information and channels human rights analysis and concerns for inclusion in UN crisis management and response; Assists in the development, coordination and implementation of the human rights work plan; Evaluates or assists in the evaluation of its progress and suggests adjustments as needed; Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Head of the Human Rights component, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staffing, planning and budgeting; Trains, coaches and supervises new and junior staff, manages their performance, and assists in training needs assessments. Human Rights Monitoring, Reporting and Field Coordination: Coordinates, supervises and conducts human rights monitoring activities in compliance with United Nations (UN) methodology and practice under the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy and relevant to the observance of international human rights and humanitarian in the mission area; able to monitor and support compliance with the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy; Establishes, as needed, baseline data for the appropriate monitoring of the human rights situation in the mission area; Coordinates the monitoring of and evaluates the legal system and its compliance with international human rights instruments and advises, where appropriate, relevant authorities including on the implementation of UN recommendations; Plans, coordinates and leads multidisciplinary teams in the conduct of investigations into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in compliance with UN standards; Develops and coordinates initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses, including with respect to sexual violence in conflict; Contributes to the integration of human rights in the mission’s protection of civilians (PoC) efforts and, where relevant, coordinates such efforts, including by, inter-alia, mapping and reporting protection risks, early warning, advising UN uniformed personnel on human rights issues during the conduct of their operations, and participating or coordinating in Joint Protection Teams, as required; Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other type of communications in compliance with established standards, including with regard to public human rights reports; Monitors economic and social rights, such as the impact of climate change on the promotion and protection of human rights, and is capable of developing and implementing programmatic activities to address a range of human rights concerns, such as the impact of climate on human rights; Ensures, coordinates and supervises the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into the OHCHR database; conducts quality control and delivers statistics and trend reports as required; Ensures the integration of UN-developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting, protection and investigation activities. Capacity Building and Technical Cooperation: Designs, coordinates and evaluates capacity-building efforts, including those supporting institution-building and institutional reforms, for alignment with international human rights norms and to meet international human rights law obligations and to support the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy; Assists national authorities in their coordination and evaluation of activities relating to the implementation and follow-up of recommendations by UN Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and other mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council; Designs, delivers, coordinates and evaluates human rights training programmes for national officials, civil society representatives, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs), National Human Rights Institutions and other national stakeholders; Coordinates with other UN mission components, UN actors and other regional and international organizations to create opportunities to integrate human rights into their training and cooperation programmes, including those aiming at legislative, rule of law and security sector reforms; Coordinates and participates in fund-raising activities and manages the implementation of technical cooperation projects in accordance to the rules of the origin of funding. Humanitarian Response: Plans, designs, implements and evaluates strategies for the mainstreaming of human rights in the activities of the UN peace mission, the UNCT and the Humanitarian Country Team, and advocates for the integration of human rights in these programs; Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating in or coordinating in emergency preparedness and response activities including in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate; Contributes to advocacy strategies, advocates and advises relevant authorities, including State officials, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), UN and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) senior management, on strategies to better protect and promote human rights and mechanisms to stop impunity and redress human rights violations; Establishes and maintains contact with national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advise on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights; Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other type of communications in compliance with established standards, including with regard to public human rights reports; Chairs and coordinates the working groups established within the Protection Cluster as relevant and takes part of discussions with other clusters leads to ensure human rights integration; identifies protection gaps and strengthens the existing protection response strategy by ensuring synergies within the mission, the members of the Protection Cluster and other clusters as well as with other relevant forma; Provides human rights colleagues with technical expertise and guidance on their engagement with humanitarian and other protection partners in field offices, in particular the Humanitarian Country Team and Clusters, notably regional Protection Clusters. Performs other related duties as required.

Skills and Qualifications
Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.

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 experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights or related field is required. Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is required. Experience in human rights advocacy and/or in the design and management of, capacity building programmes and/or conducting human rights investigations is required. A minimum of one year of experience monitoring and capacity building on economic and social rights, such the impact of climate change on the promotion and protection of human rights, is required A minimum of one year of experience in a field operation of the United Nations Common System working directly with the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, including providing advice to senior mission leadership, is required. A minimum of one year’s experience providing services in the field of human rights to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English, (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

How to apply
Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.