This position is located in the Americas Section, in the Americas, Europe and Central Asia Branch of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)- Regional Office for Central America in Panama City.
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
• Researches and collects information pertaining to human rights matters in the region or country of assignment,
• Supports the Representative Office on the human rights based approach and gender mainstreaming perspective in the overall strategic plan.
• Advises and reports on the consistency on National Institutions, policies, programme and norms with international human rights standards.
• Works with State institutions and NGOS to promote sustained and balanced support for the work in the field of human rights related issues providing support on the overall formulation and implementation of human rights policies.
• Develops legal analysis on the level of compliance of the state with human rights obligations.
• Undertakes fact-finding field missions and reporting .
• Coordinates with United Nations agencies by giving advise and lending support as requires, especially within the framework of rights based planning and programming initiatives, including the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
• Writes a variety of reports, official correspondence, briefings on country/region specific and thematic issues, statements and communications;
• Represenst the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in meetings with representatives from such institutions as well as with the international community and other United Nations bodies, program and specialized agencies;
• Provides support to national authorities, the parliaments, the judiciary and other relevant institutions in the country on the overall formulation and implementation of human rights policies, including in the area of economic, social and cultural rights and indigenous peoples' rights;
• Contributes to the planning, monitoring and reporting on OHCHR programs/activities in the region and prepare OHCHR internal weekly/monthly reports and relevant periodic public reports to donors.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Professionalism: Good knowledge of a range of human rights issues, , to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive problems. Good 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 the human rights situation in assigned country. Knowledge of the Central American region; Knowledge of the human rights based approach, UN human rights instruments and procedures. 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.
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.
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.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, 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.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights. Experience ensuring gender mainstreaming and applying a human rights based approach is required. Experience in human rights monitoring, analysis, advocacy and reporting is required. Experience working in an international organization, NGO, or similar organization is desirable. Experience supporting national authorities, the parliaments, the judiciary or other relevant institutions on the overall formulation and implementation of human rights policies is desirable. Experience working on human rights related issues on the Central American region is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post advertised, fluency in Spanish and English is required.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
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.
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.
Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.