Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office within the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD) at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Beirut. Beirut is classified as a hardship “B” duty station and family duty station. The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative of OHCHR Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa.

Responsibilities

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

– Develops proposals for technical assistance and capacity building projects and programs, and supports or coordinates their implementation; 
– Proposes courses of action to the Regional Representative and Senior Management as appropriate by researching, collecting and analyzing information gathered from diverse sources on human rights related developments/issues in a country or sub-region; 
– Leads and/or participates in internal/interagency field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission reports and summaries, etc; 
– Coordinates and participates, as necessary, in preparing new agreements, memoranda, project documents and revisions of on-going ones in line with OHCHR requirements and within the available resources;
– Provides advice and support on strategic planning, outreach and fundraising 
– Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc.; 
– Monitors the use of resources, progress of projects and resolve any issues in a timely manner; 
– Collects and analyses all information regarding the human rights situation in one or several countries of the region and prepares technical cooperation proposals, reports, documents and other written materials thereon;
– Strengthens the human rights capacity of governments and NGOs through provision of technical assistance; 
– Supervises the timely delivery of outputs specified in the work plans of human rights officers and other support staff; Contributes to the preparation of the Office Management Plan, the implementation of its work plan and budget programming, its monitoring and evaluation, and the preparation of reports on its implementation; 
– Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations on actions to take; 
– Makes contact with other sectors of the UN including country presences in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; briefs representatives and provides, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations including the development of technical cooperation programmes;
– Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; 
– Helps design and implements the human rights program, and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation; 
– Trains and supervises new/junior staff;
– Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to human rights. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights; Very good knowledge of the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights; Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems; Good political judgment and advocacy skills and the ability to understand and respond to sensitive and complex political and social events; Ability to relate human rights issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programs 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; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates 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.

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, human rights, political science or international relations, 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 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights is required. Experience in drafting analytical papers on human rights is required. Experience monitoring and evaluating activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments is also required. Recent human rights related field experience in a transitional, developmental, conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Experience in technical cooperation and capacity building is desirable. Experience supporting international human rights mechanisms is also desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable, Knowledge of French is an asset.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.