Request for Associate Expert from OHCHR
Job Description
INT-171-06-P237-01-V (revised Oct 2008)
General Information
Title:Associate Human Rights Officer
Sector:Human Rights
Location:Geneva
Duration:1 year (with possible extension for another year)
Date required: ASAP
Supervision
Title of the supervisor:Coordinator of Africa Unit
Content and methodology of the supervision:
In the exercise of his/her functions the incumbent will receive supervision and guidance from the Coordinator of Africa Unit through regular meetings to discuss the programme of work assigned, review the tasks performed, assess the difficulties met and provide additional guidance. The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the Coordinator and will be in a permanent contact with all members of the other units within OHCHR-Geneva and in field offices in Africain order to integrate fully his/her work in the general objectives of the Office programme of work.
Duties, responsibilities and output expectations
The incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Assist the Government to identify and formulate their needs and give technical assistance as well as participate in the drafting of budget proposals relating to technical cooperation and evaluation of missions;
- Assist to implement, supervise and manage evaluation of technical projects as well as ensure a regular follow-up and undertake mission to Africa when necessary;
- Assist in the planning, support and efficiency of human rights activities in assigned country as well as the preparation of missions;
- Research and collect information on Human Rights issues from field missions, organizations, non-governmental organizations and other relevant sources;
- Review and analyze those information for the preparation of reports on the situation of human rights in the country covered by the incumbent;
- Monitor the human rights situation with respect to Human Rights Instruments ratified by the Government;
- Assist in the preparation, conduct and evaluation training courses, seminars and workshops in the framework of technical cooperation activities;
- Represent the UN human rights programme at working level meetings;
- Define a work plan for the area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
Qualifications and experience
-Advanced university degree in law, political science, social sciences or international relations or equivalent theoretical experience. Specialized study of human rights desirable;
-Knowledge of human rights standards, the rules governing their protection and mechanisms available in case of their violations;
-A broad knowledge and experience of social, economic and political mechanisms in Africa;
-Fluency in French and good knowledge of English required (both written and spoken);
-Computer literacy in word processing.
Other essential requirements
-Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan;
-Ability to work in a diverse team and respect for diversity;
-Ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender-based, social, economic, etc., causing civil unrest in a country or geographic area.
Learning elements
As a result of the assignment the incumbent will benefit from:
-Comprehensive knowledge and experience in the field of protection and promotion of human rights;
-Broader experience in the assessment of factors contribution to social, economic and political development in Africa;
-Development of training skills related to human rights education;
-Exposure to the overall mechanisms and procedures of the OHCHR.
Background information
For the biennium 2008-2009, the Africa Unit’s programme will includes building the capacity of the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and other relevant sub-regional organizations to promote and protect human rights. At the national level, OHCHR will continue to strengthen relevant national institutions and to cooperate with UN Country Teams to promote a human rights-based approach to development in their programming. Regional Offices will continue to serve as the entry point in countries where OHCHR has no presence.The Office will also provide greater support to human rights components of peace missions in an effort to monitor and report promptly on the human rights situation in the countries where the missions are deployed.
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