Human Right Officer, P4 at United Nations

Org. Setting and Reporting

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the UNSOM Human Rights and Protection Group (HRPG), the Human Rights Officer reports directly to the Senior Women’s Protection Adviser. This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities

• Under the general supervision of the Senior Women’s Protection Adviser, the incumbent will:
• Support the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1820, 1888, 1960, 2106 and 2467 on Conflict-related Sexual Violence (CRSV)
• Work in close collaboration with relevant Mission components in order to ensure the reflection of sexual and gender-based violence conflict-related sexual violence perspectives in the work of all mission components, including in the coordination of training, development and delivery for military, police and civilian components.
• Coordinate the implementation of the Monitoring, Reporting and Analysis Arrangements (MARA) on conflict-related sexual violence,
• With the Human Rights Officers and field teams, coordinates data collection and the preparation of reports and other information products on violence against women, particularly CRSV related issues of concern to the Security Council, or other bodies; drafts notes, reports, background papers, talking points, speeches and other correspondence for senior UN officials
• Ensure the provision of advice and support on violence against women to government and non-governmental counterparts in collaboration with relevant mission and UN counterparts, and will foster close working partnerships with relevant UN stakeholders, civil society and donors
• Develop and coordinate initiatives to strengthen compliance by parties to the conflict with their obligations on violence against women, particularly CRSV prevention and response, including accountability measures
• Provide technical support to parties to the conflict in the implementation of command orders and action plans prohibiting CRSV
• Provide guidance on the CRSV agenda to human rights field teams and UN system entities, as required
• Support the Senior Women Protection Advisor in the regular and appropriate information exchange at mission level on sexual violence and conflict-related sexual violence developments, with African Union focal points; including mainstreaming Human Rights Due Diligence Policy considerations in implementing the CRSV mandate
• Support the drafting of project proposals and budget as well as their implementation to promote survivor-centered approaches
• Maintain contacts with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations
• Conduct trainings and field visits as required, including missions to Mogadishu and UNSOM field offices.
• Carry out, in consultation with the SWPA, administrative functions relating to the staff planning and budget.
• Supervise junior staff
• Perform other relevant duties, as required.

Competencies

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

1. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, protection of civilians, gender, humanitarian affairs, political affairs or a related area is required - a combination of experience in two or more of these areas is preferred.
2. A minimum of three years of experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.
3. Experience supporting or facilitating multi-stakeholder policy and/or advocacy processes at the national level is required.
4. Experience engaging with and advising senior host Government officials is required.
5. Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.
6. A minimum of one year of experience in a field operation of the United Nations Common System working with the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment

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

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.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.