Assistant Human Rights Officer, 3 Posts

These three positions are located in the Syria Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), based in Damascus. The incumbents will support the implementation of OHCHR Syria programme activities, conduct research and analysis, participate in meetings and workshops, draft reports, and assist with human rights training and liaison with partners.

Responsibilities

• Implement OHCHR Syria programme unit activities including conducting research and analysis with gender perspective.
• Participate in preparation and implementation of meetings, workshops, consultations, and other programming activities.
• Draft and translate reports, briefings, and correspondence.
• Undertake missions as required.
• Participate in meetings with relevant programme partners including UN actors, civil society representatives, diplomatic representatives.
• Facilitate contacts with potential programme partners.
• Support OHCHR's mission and programme strategy in Syria including participation in annual office workplan process and identifying areas for office interventions.
• Monitor and observe trials and prepare summaries of results.
• Maintain awareness of current human rights issues including political and legal developments in Syria.
• Assist with human rights training programmes for national law enforcement officials, civil society and human rights NGOs to promote national capacity building.
• Assist supervisor in liaising with government, NGOs, civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation with special attention to vulnerable groups.
• Perform other duties as required by the Representative within the context of OHCHR's mission and work plan in Syria.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• For candidates who hold a first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent), a minimum of two years of experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
• No experience is needed for candidates who hold an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent).
• Experience working on human rights-related issues in the United Nations Common System and/or other national or international organizations, is desirable.
• Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions.
• Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures.
• Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues.
• Ability to identify sources for data collection, analyze information and draft human rights reports.
• Relevant IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and web-based applications.
• Ability to incorporate gender perspectives and ensure equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• English language proficiency at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• Arabic language proficiency at UN Level II in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Skills

• Human Rights Analysis
• Political Affairs
• International Relations
• Legal Research
• Human Rights Reporting
• Data Collection
• Research Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Web-based Applications
• Gender Mainstreaming
• Human Rights Training
• UN Common System Knowledge
• Institutional Mandates Knowledge
• Human Rights Issues Identification

Languages

English, Arabic