Senior Human Rights Officer (Coordinator) at United Nations

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Human Rights Officer, Coordinator will:

• Supervises the development of investigation plans, methodology and tools to collect and process all data;
• Supports the Members of the Fact-Finding Mission on substantive, operational and administrative procedures and ensure their implementation;
• Manages the overall work of the Secretariat of the Fact-Finding Mission, including by facilitating constructive internal work-flows, information sharing, accountability and performance management;
• Facilitates the communication between the Members of the Fact-Finding Mission and OHCHR as required;
• Ensures that the Fact-Finding Mission carries out its tasks in accordance with agreed strategic objectives and standard fact-finding methodology, including gender perspectives;
• Coordinates the investigating and reporting tasks of the Fact-Finding Mission members;
• Oversees the development of plans to ensure that all required measures are taken to protect victims and witnesses who will cooperate with the Fact-Finding Mission and that effective referrals pathways for survivors are used when possible;
• Accompanies the Members of the Fact-Finding Mission in their field missions;
• Acts as the main interlocutor on operational and substantive matters with duty bearers, member states, UN agencies, media and other stakeholders;
• Ensures the integration of gender perspective, including in the investigation plan, interviewing of victims, evidence gathering, analysis and report writing;
• Takes ultimate responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of the Fact-Finding Mission’s reports;
• Liaises with the security coordinator/UNDSS on aspects related to the security requirements and informs accordingly the Members and staff of the Fact-Finding Mission;
• Manages the budget and finances of the Fact-Finding Mission and responsible for regular operational, financial and administrative reporting to OHCHR and/or other UN entities as required;
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address and advise on highly sensitive and complex 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. Ability to relate and advise on 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.
• 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 AND 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.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• 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 degree), in law, political science, international relations or another discipline related to human rights is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, or combined experience in human rights and international humanitarian law or international criminal law is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in managing teams is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience carrying out human rights, international humanitarian law or international criminal law investigations is desirable.
• Relevant working experience in or on the region 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. Fluency in Arabic is desirable. Knowledge on another UN official language is an advantage.