Department/ Office
OHCHR
Duty Station
ADDIS ABABA
Posting Period
28 June 2011-28 July 2011
Job Opening number
11-HRI-OHCHR-19869-R-ADDIS ABABA
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Regional Office for East Africa ("the Office") of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the incumbent reports to the Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) for Eastern Africa based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Responsibilities
a) Cooperate and coordinate on an ongoing basis and on a number of complex human rights issues with the Africa Unit, as well as other Branches of OHCHR;
b) Assist the Regional Representative in implementing capacity-building initiatives and activities with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the secretariat of the African Union Commission, and in the context of the AU-UN 10-year capacity-building programme;
c) Maintain a dialogue with national and regional human rights partners and support the implementation of human rights activities, particularly those funded by OHCHR;
d) Assist governments in the region, upon request to the Office, in identifying and specifying their needs for advisory services and technical cooperation; Participate in the implementation of technical cooperation programmes;
e) Assist the relevant members of the UN country teams (UNCT) and partners in mainstreaming human rights, in all aspects of their work and programmes, including through participation in thematic working groups within the UNCT;
f) Contribute regularly to the drafting of UNDAFS in close liaison with UNCTS in the Region and relevant OHCHR Branches;
g) Support the work of mandate-holders and visiting OHCHR staff in Ethiopia/other countries in the region, including the preparation and conduct of field missions;
h) Prepare reports, briefings and correspondence, ensuring regular communications with Headquarters and the submission of reports in accordance with OHCHR's requirements;
i) Prepare inputs to reports for the General Assembly, Human Rights Council, etc.;
j) Respond to requests for information relating to the human rights situation/issues in the countries/sub-region concerned and make recommendations for action to the Regional Representative/Chief of Branch in a useful and timely manner;
k) Collect and analyse information regarding the human rights situation in one or several countries, undertaking early warning and identifying protection gaps;
l) Liaise with national human rights institutions, national and international NGOs and the media on issues relating to human rights, including building their awareness and capacity to protect and promote human rights in the country concerned as well as assist in raising an awareness of human rights educational and information activities;
m) Ensure the integration of human rights and gender considerations, in all the activities to be carried out by the Office and increase the awareness of the human rights educational and information activities in the region;
n) Plan, deliver and evaluate human rights training courses, seminars, workshops and presentations on assigned topics/activities;
o) Assist the Regional Representative in ensuring the necessary coordination and fulfilment of Office objectives, activities and outputs, with the optimal use of resources designated to the Office according to the project document, in conformity with the objectives set out by OHCHR, and in accordance with the UN's administrative rules;
accordance with strategies, priorities, work plans and cost plans established in line with the policies, procedures and budgets applied by OHCHR;
q) Assist the Regional Representative with the administration of the Office, including acquisitions, contracting of services, recruitment of national staff, expenditures, and in elaborating/adjusting the Office budget and contribute to the elaboration of the Strategic Management Plan in close cooperation with Headquarters; and,
r) Perform other related duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM
Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues in Africa, including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex problems;
very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights;
very good knowledge of the sub-region of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights;
demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems; good political judgment and advocacy skills and the ability to understand and respond to sensitive and complex political and social events;
ability to relate human rights issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas in the region.
LEADERSHIP:
Ability to supervise the work of junior staff; planning and organizing own work and that of others;
Ability to undertake responsibilities as officer-in-charge of the Regional Office, as and when required.
COMMUNICATION:
Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and other communications and to articulate concepts, messages and ideas in a clear, concise manner.
TEAMWORK:
Ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relations both as a team member and team leader, with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Ability to work efficiently under pressure.
Education
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in human rights, public or international law, political science, international relations or other related field. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience at national and international levels in the human rights field, including in human rights mainstreaming, project management, training, and working with United Nations Country Teams.
Languages
Fluency in English and working knowledge of French
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Assessment Method
The applications will be assessed on the basis of the work experience and experience of the field work, Professionalism, Leadership, Communication and Teamwork. The knowledge of the East Africa Region would be an asset.
Special Notice
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.
No Fee
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.
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