Human Rights Officer

This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (OASG) of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). The incumbent will be based in multiple duty stations (Beledweyne, Jowhar and Kismayo), Somalia, and report to the Programme Management Officer.

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer at this level will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Researches, collects, verifies, analyzes and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights, including from open sources; 2. Reaches out to various UN actors to collect and analyze information of relevance to human rights; 3. 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; 4. 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; 5. 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; 6. 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; 7. Conducts, and where necessary supervises, investigations of human rights and international humanitarian law violations; 8. Drafts, reviews as appropriate, and ensures timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other types of communications in compliance with established standards; 9. Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area; 10. 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; 11. Represents the UN human rights programme at working-level meetings; 12. 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; 13. 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; 14. 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; 15. 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; 16. 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; 17. Contributes to the establishment of transitional justice dialogues or processes and advises national counterparts on accountability and compensation mechanisms/ as appropriate; 18. Provides technical assistance to national authorities on the establishment of vetting mechanisms, as mandated; 19. Ensures, and where relevant supervises, the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database in compliance with established standards; 20. 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; 21. Integrates UN developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting and investigation activities; 22. 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; 23. Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora at the working level; 24. Maintains effective working relationships with other UN and non-UN actors, national authorities, donors and other stakeholders for effective policy coordination; 25. Defines the work plan for an assigned geographic area in accordance with established terms of reference; 26. Manages or supports the management of technical cooperation projects; 27. Supports more senior staff and/or team leaders in staffing, planning and budgeting as required; 28. Provides guidance and coaching to new or more junior staff; 29. Performs other related duties as required.

Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights principles and practices, expertise in a rights-based approach in a humanitarian context/ post conflict environment, research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues, ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment. 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. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or in a related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field or closely related areas, of which at least half should be in human rights is required. A minimum of one (1) year of human rights monitoring, reporting is required. Experience in the conducting of human rights investigations is desirable. Experience in capacity building activities for the protection and promotion of human rights is desirable. Experience providing services in the field of Human Rights to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

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

This is a Temporary Job Opening. Appointment against this position is available for a duration of up to 30 June 2027 and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. The appointment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e., functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. This position is open to Nationals of Somalia only. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Somali nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Somalia in the event of an employment offer. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

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.

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