Human Rights Officer, P-4

UN OHCHR - United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Suva, Fiji

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Regional Office for the Pacific based in Suva, Fiji. The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative for the Pacific or designee.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

As Project Manager, leads the implementation of a joint programme on climate change/migration and supervises an NOB.
Coordinates with UN agencies, regional organizations by providing advice, and capacity building in the area of climate change and economic, social and cultural rights, especially the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and business & human rights, including the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
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, environment, climate change/migration and business & 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.
Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Regional Representative, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
Collects and analyzes human rights and gender specific data and indicators to identify trends or patterns.
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 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. 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. Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
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.
Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience in human rights, climate change/migration and the environment is required. Experience in project/programme management is required. Experience in human rights analysis, advocacy and/or reporting is desirable. Experience in gender mainstreaming and applying a human rights-based approach is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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