This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division (TESPRDD), Methodology, Education and Training Section (METS).
Under the supervision of the Chief of the Methodology, Education and Training Section (METS) or officer designated by the Chief, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
Advise on existing, new and emerging technologies that can be applicable to human rights officers and investigators both in Headquarters (Geneva and New York) and in the field such as remote sensing, open source, encryption, or data sharing tools; use appropriate research methods and participatory principles to address the impact and risks of technological applications on staff and people in vulnerable situations;
Critically assess the viability of existing or proposed tools and prototypes; develop metrics and indicators for monitoring and evaluating technology development, adoption, and transfer; conduct human rights impact assessments throughout the lifecycles of the technologies and applications that OHCHR may use or deploy to increase efficiency or effectiveness in its programmatic work;
Contribute to a culture of innovation at OHCHR, undertake research and consult widely with Geneva, New York, and field presences to leverage existing or novel ideas and insights for specific areas of OHCHR’s programmatic work; introduce tools and processes that will encourage critical, creative, and innovative approaches; manage technological and innovation processes within OHCHR such as generating ideas, iterating, designing, prototyping, implementing, scaling, maintaining, sustaining, providing exit strategies and accountability mechanisms;
Organize internal and external OHCHR technology meetings in person or remotely; identify knowledge gaps, provide guidance in areas of competence, organize training sessions with external partners and experts; coordinate between policy, information technology, and human rights officers to implement OHCHR technological and innovation strategy; contribute to global policy discussions on technology and human rights;
Develop and manage relationships with counterparts in the technology sector in business, academia, policy, international organizations, human rights organizations, and the UN for expert advice on new and emerging technologies and the development of tools and prototypes; develop arrangements for sustained advice and support to OHCHR from technology experts ; mainstream a human rights approach to technology policy, design, and deployment across sectors; represent OHCHR at major conferences and specialized technology working groups; and
Perform other related activities
PROFESSIONALISM: Good knowledge of technology and innovation from a technical, policy, or social perspective; deep understanding and respect for privacy, digital security, informed consent, ethical design, user-centred and participatory methods; ability to establish networks with human rights organisations, businesses, other UN departments/agencies, academia and UN Member States; ability to coordinate, support and oversee the development of technology and innovation processes. 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. Ability to engage across sectors and disciplines, and to understand, communicate and “translate” ideas and concepts between technologists, lawyers, policy makers, researchers, and human rights practitioners. 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. 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.
Advanced university degree in information technology, information science, computer science, data science, communication science, physical sciences, social sciences, engineering, or other disciplines related to technology is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in technology, innovation, or a closely related field is required. Experience managing or working on innovation processes, applications, software development, prototype design, policy, or research involving technology and vulnerable populations, human rights, emergency response, peacekeeping, international development, humanitarian action, or related areas is required. Experience of working on technological applications to the human rights field is an asset.
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
• This position is temporarily available for nine (9) months with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• 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.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• 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.
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.