National Human Rights Officer

Specific Duties and responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office/Deputy Head of Office and under the direct supervision of the Team Leader within delegated authority, the National Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Legal Analysis & Research

• Conduct research on areas of domestic Legislation and Policy with major human rights implications with a view of providing substantive support to the Office team and relevant national partners;
• Provide commentary on legislation, policies, rules of procedure, and other statutory frameworks, advising the State and other stakeholders with reference to international human rights standards and comparative good practices;

• Support legislative and policy reform initiatives led by the State or other stakeholders through provision of technical assistance in drafting of relevant regulatory frameworks;
• Provide legal analytical advice on matters pertaining to national laws, for OHCHR’s substantive work at country level.

Partnerships and Outreach

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key institutions in the law and policy making process, UN agencies and civil society partners with a view to facilitating OHCHR’s technical cooperation on human rights;
• Targeted advocacy with national partners so as to influence State institutions and local partners to adopt appropriate policy or actions that strengthen human rights compliance;
• Represent OHCHR on the Justice Law and Order (JLOS) Sector Working Group and Coordination meetings with Development Partners to provide substantive human rights guidance on international human rights norms and standards;
• Monitor key reform and technical assistance processes within the JLOS Sector, and ensure circulation of information within OHCHR;

• Provide strategic analysis of opportunities to advance OHCHR’s technical support on legal issues and administration of justice in particular, within the country.

Programming and training support

• Plan, organize and support implementation of OHCHR’s capacity building and sensitization workshops targeting Government, State institutions and civil society organizations;
• Take initiative in the implementation of thematic priorities assigned to the legal unit as indicated under the Office Work Plan.

Reporting and Knowledge management

• Contribute to the preparation of OHCHR’s reports taking stock of work achievements and progress through monthly and activity reports as well as regular updates on thematic areas for submission to OHCHR’s Headquarters in Geneva, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and to donors, as requested;
• Contribute to development of OHCHR’s publications and knowledge products to support capacity building and advocacy, as may be required;

Cross cutting areas

• Contribute to the overall work of OHCHR as a team player with professionalism, integrity and commitment, and participate in other OHCHR program activities, including human rights commemorations, monitoring interventions, etc., as requested;
• Ensure the consistent integration of a gender perspective in all assignments;
• Perform other related duties as required;

Competencies

Professionalism - Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of human rights-related matters; ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender-based, social, economic, etc., causing civil unrest in a country or geographic area; demonstrated research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of relevant issues/problems; basic knowledge of institutional mandates, policies, guidelines, etc., related to human rights; skill in developing sources for data collection.

Planning and Organizing - Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan; Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given;

Communication - Ability to speak and write in a clear and concise manner, including ability to draft a variety of reports, correspondence, etc.; Technological Awareness - Good computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, other and relevant software packages;

Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Respect for gender and diversity: The candidate works effectively with people from all backgrounds, treats all people with dignity and respect and men and women equally. He or she shows respect for, and understanding of, diverse points of view and demonstrates this understanding in daily work and decision-making. The candidate examines own biases and behaviors to avoid stereotypical responses and does not discriminate against any individual or group. He or she includes a gender perspective in substantive work.

Technological Awareness

Training and/or experience utilizing computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other standard software packages and systems is required.

Critical Success Factors:

• Strong legal background and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to function independently, to take initiative and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, with competence to assess priorities and deliver in a timely manner
• Resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment and tact
• Ability to communicate clearly in English both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Education: University degree in law. A post-graduate degree in human rights or a related field will be an added advantage.

Work experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience (or three years if holding a post graduate degree) working in national, regional, or international organizations or non-governmental organizations, in the field of human rights, rule of law, legal advisory services, or a related field. Experience working with international human rights standards, instruments and mechanisms, and knowledge and expertise of gender and women's rights issues would be an asset.

Languages: Fluent in spoken and written English   

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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