HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (Sustainable Development Advisor), P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are found in the Regional Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Bangkok and Pretoria. The incumbent reports to i) the UN Human Rights Regional Representative and ii) OHCHR’s Chief of the Sustainable Development Section, Geneva. *IMPORTANT NOTE: In the motivation letter of your application, please indicate the duty station in which you would be interested. If you are interested in both duty stations, please rank them in order of preference – with *1 being the preferred position.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will have regional responsibility and will be responsible for the following duties: • Assists the work of OHCHR at the regional level and provides analysis and advice on policy, programming and capacity development in relation to human rights-based economic and social policies, development and advancing human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. • Provides advice on integration of human rights into State and UN development policy and practice, as well as UN Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) as well as national development strategies. • Provides policy advice and technical assistance to strengthen national capacities. • 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. • Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc. Meets regularly with the relevant units and teams including field staff, to plan projects, provide concrete guidance/inputs and review project activities in the area of human rights integration in development policy and practice • Works with UN – including regional development coordination mechanisms such as the Peer Support Group -, States, non-governmental programmes and international organisations including international financial institutions, in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs and keeps abreast of relevant developments; helps design and implements the human rights program and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation. • Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of economic policy, development and human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take. • Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations, including international financial institutions, governments and state authorities including NHRIs and national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. • Assists country offices and relevant components of UN country teams and peace missions to develop and implement a training program, with attention to gender perspectives. • Coordinates closely with the Sustainable Development Section in Geneva in order to ensure that developments and trends in the region as well as the work undertaken by the Regional Office in the area of sustainable development are routinely contributing to and informed by the global work by OHCHR. • Trains and supervises new/junior staff. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights and economic policy and development 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 and economic 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 advance human rights in the context of economic policy and development. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, development economics, 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, development economics or related area is required. At least three years of experience in integrating human rights into sustainable development, including economic and social policies and programmes, at regional and/or national level, is required. Experience in undertaking research and analysis and/or drafting reports and other documents in the area of human rights and development financing is required.

Languages

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

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