Human Rights Officer

Colombo

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Colombo
Grade: Mid level - NO-C, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Human Rights
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator (UN RC) - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The position is in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Sri Lanka and reports to the Senior Human Rights Adviser (SHRA).

The UN RCO leads the coordination of UN programming in Sri Lanka including through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). It ensures the alignment of the UN assistance with national development priorities, plans and capacity building in the context of a human rights-based approach and SDGs. It also works to position the UN system at the centre of development efforts and international cooperation in the country. The UNSDCF guides the UN and the Government’s engagement in enhancing the economic and social development of the people in Sri Lanka.

Under the overall guidance of the UN RC in Sri Lanka and under the direct supervision of the SHRA and in collaboration with programme staff, the incumbent will support the integration of a human rights-based approach (HRBA) into UN programmes and activities, in particular the UNSDCF; support the strengthening of national institutions and capacities and strengthen the engagement with human rights mechanisms through legal and policy analysis; engagement and policy advocacy with government, technical advice and assistance to government and liaising with UNCT on joint programming.

Position Purpose

This comprehensive framework outlines the responsibilities of the Human Rights Officer in advancing UN RCO’s SDG agenda and integration of a HRBA, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies and goals.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response.

Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. The Human Rights Officer will play a crucial role in supporting a portfolio approach to deepen human rights mainstreaming work and provide critical support to Sri Lanka-based UN agencies with implementing programmes.

In the midst of a fiscal consolidation process, the effects of which are disproportionately impacting the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, the Human Rights Officer will facilitate the UN RCO to respond more effectively and pre-emptively through analysis and advocacy to new proposed legislation and policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

1- Contribute to the provision of legal and policy analysis.

Conduct substantive research and analysis on legislation and policy including proposed reforms and their impact on human rights.
Draft legal analysis and briefs for RCO, UNCT and multiple stakeholders to inform them and coordinate programming, strategic advocacy and planning.

2- Engage with government on legal policy and advocacy.

Establish and maintain good working relationships with government counterparts.
Develop an engagement strategy to identify priorities and opportunities.

3- Provide technical advice and assistance.

Provide technical advice to integrate HRBA.
Provide technical assistance to government and national institutions on human rights including in the context of fiscal consolidation and the promotion of ESCRs.

4- Liaise with UNCT on joint programmes and activities.

Support joint resource mobilization efforts.
Build synergies with other UN programmes and facilitate coordination with other organizations and partners.
Provide technical guidance to thematic coordination groups under the UNSDCF, e.g. relevant Outcome Results Groups, gender and youth thematic groups, etc.
Provide technical inputs to RCO and UNCT public engagement processes including RC’s strategic engagements.

5- Strengthen partnerships and engagement to advance the promotion of ESCRs.

Liaise with stakeholders including civil society, academia, think tanks, women’s and youth networks and key international actors (including IFIs, development partners and regional organizations) to identify entry points and foster dialogue to promote and advance the realization of ESCRs and related SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:    LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:    LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:   LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:   LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:   LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:    LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion :   LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management - Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Business Direction and Strategy - Effective Decision Making : Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
Business Development - Integration within the UN: Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
2030 Agenda: Peace Rule of Law, Security & Human Rights: Human Rights Mainstreaming
2030 Agenda: Peace Rule of Law, Security & Human Rights: Human Rights Institutions
2030 Agenda: Peace Rule of Law, Security & Human Rights: UNDPs Engagement with Human Rights Mechanisms

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related area.
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.

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
Experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders including UN agencies, government partners, donors, businesses and civil society is desirable.
Experience of working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team environment, such as development agencies, international organizations and international private businesses is desirable.
Experience of promoting Economic social and cultural rights (ESCRs) is desirable
Provision of legal analysis is desirable.
Provision of technical assistance is desirable.
Knowledge of Economic social and cultural rights (ESCRs) is desirable.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English, and Tamil or Sinhala is required.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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This vacancy is now closed.