Human Rights Officer, P-4

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Tegucigalpa (Honduras). The incumbent reports to the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Honduras and acts as the Deputy Head of Office in Honduras.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer/Deputy Head of Office will be responsible for the following duties:

• 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 Head of Office/Country Representative in coordinating the work of OHCHR-Honduras in line with its mandate of monitoring, advisory services, technical cooperation, protection and promotion of human rights.
• Prepares and coordinates human rights reports for the General Assembly, HRC, as well as reports on activities of OHCHR-Honduras and other reports.
• Meets regularly with the peacekeeping team including UN staff, national officials as well as Military and Police officers to plan projects and review project activities.
• Works with UN, authorities and non-governmental organizations and other interlocutors in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps to the formulation of human rights strategies and the development of a vision or direction for the work of the Honduras Office and supports the coordination of the implementation and evaluation of the human rights program.
• Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Manages, coordinates, organizes and supervises the Coordinators of projects and thematic teams in coordination with the Head of Office. In the absence of the Country Representative, represents the Office on human rights matters.
• Serves as team leader, in consultation with the Country Representative and working collaboratively with the Program Management Officer responsible for administrative functions relating to the staff, planning, budget and reporting.
• Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 improvements; 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.

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 (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
• Out of the seven years, at least two years of field experience in human rights context is desirable.
• At least two years of experience leading and managing teams of combined professional and support staff (at least 8 persons) is desirable.
• Experience in human rights monitoring and drafting of public reports is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish, (both oral and written) are required.

Application instructions

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