Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in N’djamena (Chad); Niamey (Niger) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) under the Africa Branch, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD) of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Human Rights Officers will report to the Head of Field Presence overseeing the Force Conjointe G5 Sahel (FC-G5S) project in these different duty stations. Please ensure to indicate in your application in which specific duty station you are interested in applying for.

Responsibilities

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

•Supports planning and coordination of activities related to the implementation of the human rights compliance framework of the Force Conjointe G5-Sahel (FC-G5S), including from a gender perspective. 
•Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country. 
•Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators as it concerns the FC-G5S in country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators. 
•Provides support to the UN Security Council 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 economic efforts and programmes. 
•Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference. 
•Assists country military and police to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, and other aspects of the compliance framework of the FC-G5S, with attention to gender perspectives. 
•Follows up on different cases and situations. 
•Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies. 
•Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: 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, research and analyze information and draft human rights reports. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment. 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. 

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. 

PLANNING & 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.

Education

Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience working with security forces is desirable. Experience working in the region is also desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written French is required. Knowledge of English is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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