HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

This post is found in the Intergovernmental Affairs, Communication and Outreach Section of the New York Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Section.

1) Supports OHCHR’s engagement with New York-based intergovernmental bodies and processes to integrate human rights into their work. a) Provides substantive inputs and advice, as well as timely information and documentation on relevant issues related to human rights engagement in intergovernmental bodies and the work of the human rights mechanisms for Member States, UN system entities, including OHCHR senior officials and colleagues, civil society and other stakeholders. b) Monitors and reports to senior officials and OHCHR staff on deliberations, proceedings and negotiations of outcomes, and prepares political analyses for senior officials. c) Assists in representing OHCHR at intergovernmental processes and meetings as appropriate to integrate a human rights perspective in the formulation of policies and outcomes. 2) Supports OHCHR’s strategic engagement with UN principal organs and intergovernmental bodies in the area of peace and security, with a particular focus on the Security Council and General Assembly. a) Coordinates advocacy and targeted engagement, outreach, awareness-raising and public information activities on key thematic or country-specific issues before the Security Council and General Assembly, their subsidiary mechanisms and relevant informal expert groups. b) Provides relevant guidance and advice on human rights in peace and security matters and the work of the Security Council and General Assembly to Member States, UN system entities, civil society and other stakeholders. Fosters greater partnerships and collaboration with relevant stakeholders in these areas. c) Contributes to the development of and disseminates analysis, informational and outreach materials on thematic issues and country situations relevant to human rights in peace and security. d) Prepares analyses, briefing notes, talking points and other inputs on the work of the Security Council and General Assembly, and more broadly on human rights in peace and security matters, for OHCHR senior officials and staff. e) Provides relevant guidance and advice to OHCHR staff and the human rights mechanisms on engagement with the Security Council. Monitor and report on deliberations, proceedings and outcomes, and regularly share information the work of the Security Council. 3) Contributes to the work of OHCHR New York Office: a) Provides support to the Assistant Secretary-General, including preparing briefing notes, talking points. b) Contributes to OHCHR New York Office's planning and budget, annual reporting and evaluation processes. c) Provides support to senior OHCHR officials on mission in New York as required. d) Supervises and coaches junior officers in the general performance of tasks as appropriate. e) Performs other duties as required.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human rights, law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in the same fields, in combination with qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area are required. At least five years of experience at the international level in the field of human rights are required. At least two years of experience working on peace and security issues in a multilateral intergovernmental institution are required. At least two years of direct experience of engagement with and support to intergovernmental bodies in multilateral human rights processes are required. At least two years of experience in strategic outreach to and engagement with governments and civil society in multilateral intergovernmental fora or in the work of international human rights mechanisms are required.

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

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.