Posting Title: HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER, P3

Job Code Title: HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Department/Office: Office of the High Commissione

r for Human Rights

Duty Station: BEIRUT

Posting Period: 22 July 2022 – 04 September 2022

Job Opening Number: 22-Human Rights Affairs-OHCHR-185566-R-Beirut (G)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), located in Beirut, Lebanon. The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative, and to the Chief of the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section (ARDS).

Responsibilities

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

• •  Plans and coordinates activities related to racial discrimination and racial justice, and provides advice to States and national level stakeholders on racial discrimination and human rights, including from a gender perspective.
  •  Conducts substantive research and analysis of racial discrimination and human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in the region.
  •  Provides monitoring support and analyzes manifestations of racism, racial discrimination and issues of racial justice and assesses their relationship and impact on the human rights situation in the region or countries in the region.
  •  Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions and other bodies; follows-up on implementation of decisions rendered by human rights mechanisms and policy-making bodies.
  •  Ensures human rights issues concerning racial discrimination, 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.
  •  Undertakes relevant field visits; follows up on different cases and situations racial discrimination in the region.
  •  In collaboration with the country focal points, works with States, UNCTs, national human rights institutions and other national stakeholders on addressing issues of systemic racism and structural inequalities, economic, social and cultural rights, and implementing the relevant goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• •  Provides technical and expert support to relevant regional organizations, in particular the Regional Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA),

•  Represents UN human rights programme at working level meetings.
•  Directs capacity-building, awareness-raising and training efforts on racial discrimination and human rights in region of assignment.
•  Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
•  Performs other related duties as required.

CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of international human rights issues, including knowledge of anti-racial discrimination and non-discrimination and issues of xenophobia and related intolerance. Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their racial, ethnic, gender, political and socio-economic dimensions, including knowledge of issues of racism and racial discrimination. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyze information and draft human rights reports. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment. 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. 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.

PLANNING & 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.

EducationAdvanced 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 ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.

Experience working with issues related to racial discrimination and non-discrimination is required.

Experience conducting research, developing programmes and providing analytical advice in the context of human rights, is desirable.

Experience working with issues related to racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

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

Special NoticeAt the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 28 February 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

No FeeTHE 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.