Human Rights Officer

BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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 Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) established its Country Office in Sana'a, Yemen in September 2012. In May 2019, OHCHR opened another office in Aden. In accordance with its mandate, as set out in General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993, OHCHR advises and assists with strategies, programmes, and measures to promote and protect human rights in Yemen, in compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Position is located in Sana’a, Yemen. The Human Rights Officer monitors human rights issues in the prescribed area, including their gender dimensions, with the aim of promoting and protecting human rights, in compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Office of OHCHR Yemen Country Office in Sana’a, and the direct supervision of the designated supervisor, the Human Rights Officer is responsible for covering all human rights-related issues.

1. Carries out basic research on selected aspects of child rights issues to include collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources to assist in the preparation of advice which may be provided by the senior officer concerning all aspects of the activities, strategies, policies, and training programs of OHCHR Yemen and assists in the overall implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions(SCRs) on children and armed conflict; where necessary, conduct investigations into grave violations identified by the UN Security Council and other violations committed against children.
2. Drafts chapters or significant inputs to relevant periodic reports of UN human rights mechanisms and to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC), including reports to the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.
3. Drafts assigned segments or chapters for a variety of reports, briefing notes, talking points and other communications to brief senior office staff in compliance with OHCHR’s mandate.
4. As directed by his/her supervisor, supports the mission in implementing the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) established pursuant to S/RES/1612 (2005) in coordination with the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting.
5. Provides assistance to backstopping efforts toward the signing and implementation of national action plans to address grave violations against children as called for in SCRs 1539, 1612, 1882 and 1998.
6. Liaises with counterparts at the national level, civil society, UN actors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the host government, and relevant coordination mechanisms in providing adequate responses to violations committed against children.
7. Participates in field visits and/or joint assessment missions as directed and provides up-to-date information sharing on substantive matters related to the rights of the child.
8. Assists in providing training on child rights and child protection to staff.
9. Performs other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

Business Management – Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management – Communication

• Ability to 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

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, sociology, political science, economics, other social science or related fields is required.
• A first-level degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in law, sociology, political science, economics, other social science or related fields with four additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• With an advanced degree, a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience at the national level in the human rights field, including the promotion and protection of the rights of the child in accordance with international standards is required. With a bachelor’s degree, four years of relevant experience is required.
• Demonstrated experience in using human rights methodology and/or the use of databases for documentation and analysis is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining a diverse network of sources of human rights information in a given area of Yemen or sector is desirable.
• Proven knowledge of, and experience in, the application of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and national law is desirable.
• Experience in designing and delivering human rights trainings is desirable.

Language requirements

• Fluency in Arabic and English is required.

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

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Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

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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.

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