HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER(Recruit from Roster)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Stabilization Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), in the OHCHR/MONUSCO Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO). The Human Rights Officer will be based in Kinshasa Kananga under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of the UNJHRO. The incumbent will act as the Coordinator of Kananga field office Kananga is classified as a “D” hardship duty station and a non-family duty station.

Responsibilities

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



•Researches, collects, verifies, analyzes and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights, including from open sources;


•Participates and implements strategic activities aimed at promoting access to justice, transitional justice and justice reform in view of ending impunity.


•Reaches out to various UN actors to collect and analyze information of relevance to human rights;


•Advocates with relevant authorities and other influential actors to stop or prevent human rights violations; Seeks remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future;


•Prepares case files for submission to the judicial authorities and for inclusion in the UNJHRO data base.


•Advises national authorities on national legislation relative to transitional justice processes;


•Liaises with appropriate national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to monitor developments in the human rights situation and, if needed, supports the creation of baseline data;


•Monitors the legal systems and their compliance with international human rights instruments and, where appropriate, advises relevant authorities, including on the implementation of recommendations by UN human rights bodies;


•Develops and, where appropriate, coordinates initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses, including in relation to conflict-related sexual violence;


•Conducts, and where necessary supervises, investigations of human rights and international humanitarian law violations;


•Drafts, reviews as appropriate, and ensures timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other types of communications in compliance with established standards;


•Collects, analyses and report on human rights data and indicators in relation to the office fight against impunity priorities and work plans, including gender-specific data and indicators.


•Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area;


•Contributes to the mainstreaming of human rights in the formulation and implementation of projects and programmes of the UN peace mission and UN agencies at country and local level;


•Represents the UN human rights programme at working-level meetings;


•Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating or coordinating emergency preparedness and response activities, including in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate;


•Works directly with other UN peace operation components/sections, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs and operations;


•Supports and coordinates human rights capacity building efforts for civil society and state authorities, including military and police, to promote the protection of human rights, including through providing technical assistance;


•Supports national-authorities in their implementation and coordination of activities relating to the recommendations by UN Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and other mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council;


•Designs, as appropriate, delivers and evaluates human rights training programmes for national officials/ civil society representatives, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national stakeholders;


•Ensures, and where relevant supervises, the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database in compliance with established standards;


•Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls' rights issues in all activities and for the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;


•Integrates UN developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting and investigation activities;


•Ensures cooperation and appropriate communication with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the establishment of policies and sharing of best practices;


•Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora at the working level;


•Maintains effective working relationships with other UN and non-UN actors, national authorities, donors and other stakeholders for effective policy coordination;


•Defines the work plan for an assigned geographic area in accordance with established terms of reference;


•Provides guidance and coaching to new or more junior staff;


•Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Core Competencies:



Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights instruments applicable in conflict zones including international humanitarian law. Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive problems. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights. Ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender, social, economic, etc., causing civil unrest in a country or geographic area; Good analytical and research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on human rights; 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. Provides leadership and 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 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or in an area related to human rights. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying 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 conducting human rights investigations, monitoring, reporting is required.


Experience drafting internal and public human rights reports is required. Knowledge of human rights instruments applicable in conflict zones including international humanitarian law is required.


Experience in coordinating and/or supervising a team is required


Knowledge of human rights instruments applicable in conflict zones including international humanitarian law is required.


Previous experience in a United Nations common system field operation, DRC is desirable .

Languages

English and French are the working language of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.



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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.



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.

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