Director United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, D-1
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 29 Sep 2011
DATE OF ISSUANCE: 14 Sep 2011
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo
DUTY STATION: Kinshasa
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 11-HRI-MONUC-425424-R-KINSHASA
This is a re-advertisement of vacancy announcement 425130. Previous applicants to that vacancy announcement do not need to reapply.
Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities Under the overall authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and direct supervision of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Rule of Law), and with the substantive support and general policy guidance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Director of the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) which is composed of the Human Rights component of MONUSCO and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the DRC, will be responsible for the following main functions: Advisory and representative roles: Act as the Principal Adviser to the SRSG and report through the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Rule of Law) on issues related to human rights, including investigation of human rights violations, transitional justice , the fight against impunity, sexual violence, protection of civilians, conditionality policy and other activities related to the work of the UNJHRO; Act as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and report to the High Commissioner (HC) in Geneva in his/her capacity as Representative of the HC; Represent the Human Rights component and OHCHR at interagency meetings at country level and advise UN Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team to ensure human rights and a human rights based approach are fully integrated into political, humanitarian and development efforts, including with respect to the United Nations Development Assistance and Integrated Strategic Frameworks (UNDAF and ISF) as well as the Consolidated (Humanitarian) Appeal (CAP/CHAP) processes; Represent the mission and OHCHR in human rights matters during contacts with national and international organisations working in the field of human rights, diplomatic missions, donors, and other international actors; Participate in the Senior Management Group (SMG) and the SMG on protection and advise on policy decisions that may have direct of indirect human rights implications; Participate in the Senior Management Team (SMT) and provide the SMT with information on the UNJHRO's activities and advise on any measures necessary or desirable for other sections of the mission to better protect and promote human rights in the mission area. Substantive coordination: Ensure quality and standards with regard to human rights monitoring and reporting are met, including that regular and timely public reports are issued in consultation with the SRSG and HC/OHCHR; Establish and maintain liaison with Congolese authorities and ensure they are provided with regular updates on the human rights, justice and transitional justice situation. Collaborate with Government, UN, and other stakeholders in pursuing justice sector reform and support, and improving the compliance of Congolese security institutions with international human rights and humanitarian law, with a view to enhanced protection of civilians; Oversee the provision of technical assistance and advocacy efforts in ensuring the enactment of relevant legislation in the National Assembly; Ensure follow-up of the 'Mapping Exercise of serious human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 1993 and 2003' and further assist the DRC Government and stakeholders in developing a transitional justice strategy for the country with a means to identify mechanisms to combat impunity and to address the legacy of lack of accountability for serious human rights violations; Provide support to the Government to ensure compliance with its obligations related to the protection of civilians as well as to protect human rights defenders, victims and witnesses and, in close coordination with United Nations agencies, the Mission, and other international actors strengthen civil society capacity in this regard; Participate in efforts and closely work with relevant mission components, government authorities, civil society organisations and UN agencies and donors, to further fight against sexual violence and enhance accountability for violations of human rights related to sexual violence; Ensure appropriate monitoring of DRC Government and MONUSCO compliance with the conditionality policy regarding UN support to the FARDC and provision of support for the creation of a mechanism to assess implementation thereof; In close coordination with other mission components, UN agencies, national institutions, civil society and donors, work at improving the accountability of national and local institutions to address human rights violations, their causes and consequences, including through, inter alia, ensuring provision of technical advice,training and education to build the capacity of institutions and civil society; Ensure, as OHCHR representative, that human rights considerations are reflected and integrated in humanitarian activities, including in emergency planning, preparedness and response, and through participating in and/or playing a lead role in the work of the Protection Cluster as appropriate; Contribute to ensuring compliance with the UN commitment to mainstream human rights and integrate gender perspectives and specific women/girls' rights issues in all the activities of the mission, in cooperation with the Gender Advisor. Managerial responsibilities: Responsible for the overall management of the UNJHRO and the provision of substantive leadership, through, inter-alia, formulating a human rights strategy and the substantive program of work of the office; allocating resources; reporting on budget/programme performance; evaluating staff performance and ensuring appropriate staffing of the UNJHRO; Ensure the UNJHRO collects, consolidates and analyses information received from staff/offices from across the mission area, including through coordinating the effective set-up and functioning of a human rights database; the set-up of quality control mechanisms; and the timely and quality entry of data into the database; Responsible for the planning, management and implementation of OHCHR-funded projects in the DRC, in accordance with approved OHCHR biennial plans; Ensure provision of substantive support to the various United Nations human rights mechanisms; Maintain close liaison with OHCHR-HQ, including with geographical desk officers; ensure timely communications on the human rights situation, and ensure liaison with the human rights treaty monitoring bodies and special procedures; Perform other duties as required by the SRSG and the HC.
Competencies Professionalism - Excellent knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights and justice, including transitional justice issues, gender and related sexual violence issues, the rules governing their protection and the mechanisms available in case of violations. Familiarity with the realities of crisis and post-crisis countries and of the Great-Lakes region. Knowledge and understanding of gender concepts and methodologies and on women/girl’s rights issues. Proven negotiating and managerial skills; strong ability to take initiatives and to demonstrate autonomy, excellent leadership skills and ability to motivate a multicultural and mixed men/women team; Ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and stressful difficult environment, with a minimum of comfort and in precarious security conditions; Sound political judgement, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion; Ability to relate human rights issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations. Leadership - Proven ability to provide effective leadership and transfer advice and knowledge to external partners, stakeholders, senior officials and staff at all levels; Proven ability to plan and organise the work of large Units or Offices and provide advice and guidance to others; Proven record of building and managing large teams and creating an enabling environment, including ability to effectively motivate and develop staff. Vision – Ability to identify strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clear communication of links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organisational direction and to inspire others to pursue that same direction. Ability to convey enthusiasm about future possibilities. Communication - Excellent interpersonal, representational and communication skills. Ability to present and defend difficult positions to external partners, stakeholders, senior officials, and to present information in a concise, persuasive and accurate manner. Teamwork - Ability to establish and maintain trust and effective working relations with people of different cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity. Managerial Performance – Ability to delegate the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Ensuring that roles and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Monitoring of progress against work plan and deadlines. Accurately judges the time and resources needed to accomplish tasks and matching task to skills. Planning and Organising – Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identification of priority activities and adjusting them as required. Ability to foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning, including in the allocation of resources.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in law, political sciences, social sciences or international relations. A relevant combination of university degree, professional training and experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience at national and international levels in the fields of human rights, humanitarian action and transitional justice, including on the causes and resolution of human rights conflicts in accordance with international standards, with at least 5 years of supervisory, management and leadership experience. Professional experience with United Nations Country Teams, donors and governmental representatives, including advocating for the promotion and respect of human rights is required. Proven experience in public speaking and representation at high level.
Languages Fluency in French and English is required.
Other Skills Previous UN field experience is required.
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). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
How to apply
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark.
Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary.
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After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications.
In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed.
UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.
E-mail: staffing@un.org ,
Fax: 1-212-963-2800
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.
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