Human Rights Officer

This post is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Medellín, Colombia. The Human Rights Officer reports to the Coordinator of the Sub-Office, under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative.

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

- Plans and coordinates activities related to thematic and OHCHR Colombia mandate on human rights, including from a gender perspective.
- Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in Colombia and in the area under the jurisdiction of the sub-office.
- Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in the region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
- Ensures human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programmes.
- Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
- Assists country military and police to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
- Supervises field verification work through periodic visits; follows up on different cases and situations verified by the regional offices.
- Represents OHCHR at working level meetings.
- Directs capacity-building efforts on human rights in the region of assignment.
- Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
- May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

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.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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

Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.

Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is desirable.

Experience working on human rights issues is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Assessment

Special Notice

THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE UNTIL 30 JUNE 2023, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION - SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4 Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments.
- While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
- Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

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 inst