HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER, Pretoria, South Africa– Job Ref. ZA/OHCHR/1007/2690

 Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA), in Pretoria, South Africa. The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative or their designate. The Human Rights Officer is responsible for supporting human rights promotion and protection in southern Africa, with a focus on mainstreaming human rights in development, developing country engagement strategies, and providing thematic expertise and advice. This work is delivered through technical assistance to various stakeholders, the design and implementation of programmes, training and capacity building, and human rights advocacy. The Human Rights Officer is also responsible for conducting a wide range of tasks. Depending on the  organizational setting, these may include monitoring and investigating compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law; analysing and managing data to inform early-warning, accountability and policy; drafting evidence-based reports and strategic advice; integrating human-rights perspectives into peace, humanitarian and development planning; advising UN leadership and national authorities on protection of civilians, rule of law and transitional justice; and fostering partnerships, capacity-building and advocacy initiatives that advance equality, accountability and the promise to leave no one behind.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Conduct substantive monitoring of the implementation of human rights and international humanitarian law and follow up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms, including treaty bodies, the UPR and special procedures, as well as investigative findings, to ensure compliance with human rights and advance accountability.
• Collect, document and analyse evidence-based information on civil, cultural, economic, social and/or political rights, including the right to development, to enable analysis, early warning and response, accountability and informed decision-making, identifying gaps and contribute to ensuring human rights data is discoverable, interoperable and appropriately shared, including from gender and leave no one behind perspectives.
• Draft, review and disseminate human rights reports, briefings and other communications, with legal analysis as appropriate, and prepare analytical papers to inform strategies, policies, programmes, crisis management, guidance and decision-making processes, with attention to gender integration and leave-no-one-behind perspectives.
• Undertake analysis and prepare analytical papers, including on lessons learned, to inform human rights strategies, crisis management, prevention and response policies, programmes and other decision-making processes.
• Provide advisory and substantive support to national and/or regional counterparts to strengthen their human rights systems, institutions and frameworks, including complaints mechanisms, victim and witness support services and engagement with human rights mechanisms, including reporting and implementation of recommendations.
• Design and deliver human rights capacity-building programmes for State institutions, security forces, NHRIs, civil society and other stakeholders, including on human rights-based approaches with attention to gender and leave-no-one-behind perspectives.
• Contribute substantively to human rights mainstreaming efforts, supporting the integration of human rights norms and standards into political, peace and security, humanitarian, development and economic frameworks and processes, to help tackle impunity and address socio-economic, development and other human rights challenges.
• Contribute to research, analysis, guidance and policy advice on human rights issues in the context of economic policy and sustainable development, with a focus on poverty, inequalities and development financing, providing analytical inputs to the UN Common Country Analysis and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks.
• Engage substantively in the Office’s partnership‑building activities, including supporting the identification, development and maintenance of partnerships, under the guidance of senior staff.
• Deliver training programmes and workshops using various platforms for different audiences to enhance the capacity of UN staff and partners.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Critical thinking skills. Knowledge of international human rights law, norms, and standards. Ability to build and maintain partnerships. Skills in designing, delivering, and evaluating capacity-building and training programmes. Programme management skills. 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.
• 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 & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates an 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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in  human rights, law, political science, international relations, social sciences, economics, public policy, sustainable development, humanitarian affairs or related field 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 5 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or related areas is required.
• Relevant experience may include, but is not limited to political affairs, public affairs, international relations, law, social sciences, economics, development, humanitarian affairs, or other related areas.
• Critical thinking skills is required. Knowledge of  international human rights law, norms, and standards is required.
• Ability to build and maintain partnerships is required.
• Skills in designing, delivering, and evaluating capacity-building and training programmes is desirable.
• Programme management skills is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable.

The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Desirable Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

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