Functional Title & Level:               Human Rights Officer, NO-C

Duty Station:                                 Port-au-Prince

Posting Period:                             1 December – 15 December 2021

Job Opening Number:                  BINUH-VA-2021-008

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff.  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.  

All applicants who consider themselves qualified and meeting the minimum requirements of this Vacancy Announcement  (VA),  should  submit  their  fully  completed  and  signed  P11  via  email  at binuhrecruitmentteam@un.org.

Important: Please pay attention to the instructions on the VA when applying for the VA which will include functional title and the VA number. Incorrect submissions will not be considered. Applicants will be held responsible for misrepresentation/omission of information on their signed P11 applications.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) was established by Security Council resolution 2476 and is mandated to promote and strengthen political stability and good governance, including the rule of law, preserving, and advancing a peaceful and stable environment, supporting an inclusive inter-Haitian national dialogue, and protecting and promoting human rights in Haiti. 

The position is located within the Human Rights Unit of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), within the Capacity and Institutions Building Team. The Human Rights Officer reports through the Capacity and Institutions Building Team Leader and to the Chief of the Human Rights Unit.

Responsibilities

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 analyzes information of relevance to human rights; 

3.   Advocates with relevant Haitian institutions and the Government and other influential actors to stop or prevent human rights violations; 

4.   Seeks remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future; 

5. 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;

6.  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; 

7. Develops and, where appropriate, coordinates initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses; 

8.   Conducts, and where necessary supervises, investigations of human rights violations; 

9.   Drafts, reviews as appropriate, and ensures timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other types of communications in compliance with established standards; 

10. Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area; 

11. 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; 

12. Represents the UN human rights programme at working-level meetings; 

13. 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; 

14. Works directly with other Mission components/sections, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs; 

15. 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; 

16. 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; 

17. 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; 

18. Contributes to the establishment of transitional justice dialogues or processes and advises national counterparts on accountability mechanisms as appropriate; 

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. 

Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and 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. 

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. 

Education

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.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field or closely related areas is required, of which at least half should be in human rights. A minimum of one (1) year of human rights monitoring, reporting is required. Experience in the justice system is desirable. 

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French (oral and written) is required. Fluency in Haitian Creole is required. Fluency in English (oral and written) is desirable.

Assessment

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