Human Rights Officer

The Human Rights Officer will plan and coordinate economic, social and cultural rights activities related to thematic and country mandates, conduct substantive research and analysis of human rights issues, and support the integration of human rights considerations into political, humanitarian and socio-economic efforts in the Southern Africa region. The role involves field missions, report writing, and representation at working-level meetings.

Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates economic, social and cultural rights activities related to thematic and country mandates, including from a gender perspective.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their socio-economic and cultural impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country.
• Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
• Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions and other bodies; follows up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies.
• Ensures human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into political, humanitarian and socio-economic efforts and programmes.
• Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Assists OHCHR country and regional offices to develop and implement programmes in the field of economic, social and cultural rights, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Undertakes field missions as necessary; follows up on different economic, social and cultural rights projects and activities.
• Represents UN human rights programme at working-level meetings.
• Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field is required.
• 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.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, economic affairs, political affairs, international relations, law or closely related area is required.
• Experience in economic, social, and cultural rights (e.g. economic policy; the right to social security, work, health, housing, land and property, an adequate standard of living, the right to education, and similar fields), is required.
• Experience in developing policy, research and technical assistance on economic, social and cultural rights for governments, is desirable.
• Experience working at the country and international levels with the United Nations or other similar settings, is desirable.
• English language proficiency at UN Level II for reading, writing, listening and speaking is required.

Skills

• Human Rights Analysis
• Economic Social Cultural Rights
• Policy Development
• Research and Analysis
• Technical Assistance
• International Relations
• Law Expertise
• Political Affairs
• Report Writing
• Field Missions
• United Nations Procedures
• Stakeholder Engagement
• English Language Proficiency

Languages

English