Chief, Human Rights Division, D-1

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	10 Jul 2011
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	10 Jun 2011
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	United Nations Operation in Cote dIvoire
DUTY STATION:	Abidjan
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	11-HRI-UNOCI-425299-R-ABIDJAN

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 supervision of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and direct supervision of the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (PDSRSG), and with the substantive support and guidance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the incumbent will perform the following main functions as Head of the Human Rights Division: Advisory and Representative role: Act as the Principal Adviser to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and report through the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (PDSRSG) on issues related to human rights, including investigation of human rights violations, the fight against impunity, violence committed against children and women, protection of civilians, and other activities related to the work of the human rights component; Act as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Côte d'Ivoire, and report to the High Commissioner in Geneva on issues related to human rights; Represent the Human Rights component and OHCHR at interagency meetings at country level and advise UN Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), as appropriate, 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), the Consolidated (Humanitarian) Appeal (CAP/CHAP) processes, as well as the national Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP); Represent the mission and OHCHR on 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 mission's internal policy and decision-making processes including the Senior Management Group (SMG) and advice on policy, strategic and operational decisions that may have human rights implications; Participate in the senior management meetings and inform its participants on the activities of the Human Rights component and recommend measures necessary or desirable for other components of the mission to better protect and promote human rights in Côte d'Ivoire and implement a human rights based approach. Participate in the Senior Management Team (SMT) and provide the SMT with information on the HRD's activities and advise on any measures necessary or desirable for other sections of the mission to better protect and promote human rights and protect civilians in the mission area. substantive coordination: Ensure the regular and timely issuance of public reports in consultation with the SRSG and HC/OHCHR; Monitor and investigate human rights violations with a view to ending impunity, and to keep the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1572 (2004) regularly informed of developments in this regard; Participate in efforts and closely work with relevant mission components, government authorities, civil society organisations and UN agencies and donors, to address violence committed against children and women; ensure the quality, standards and confidentiality of data collected; Provide support to the Government to ensure compliance with its obligations related to the protection of civilians including 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; Maintain liaison with the Côte d'Ivoire authorities and ensure they are provided with regular updates on the human rights; Assist the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, in close coordination with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes and other components of the Mission, in its efforts to promote and protect human rights, with special attention to violence committed against children and women. 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 Human Rights component, through inter-alia, formulating the substantive work program of the office and the achievement of the objectives contained therein, allocating resources, preparation and reporting on budget and other programme planning and performance exercises; evaluating staff's performance and ensuring correct staffing of the component; Ensure and demonstrate commitment to build the component's staff competencies, particularly of national staff, to facilitate future transition of responsibilities; Support forward planning by the UN system and national counterparts to meet medium and longer-term human rights needs in Côte d'Ivoire; Ensure the component collects and analyses information from across the Mission, maintains an updated and functioning human rights database and information management system; 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 Côte d'Ivoire, 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 Special Representative of the Secretary-General and by the HC/OHCHR.

Competencies Professionalism - Excellent knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights and justice, including gender issues, the rules governing their protection and the mechanisms available in case of their violations; Familiarity with the realities of crisis and post-crisis countries; Capacity to relate to and integrate human rights issues and perspectives into other fields -humanitarian action, development, rule of law, legislation reforms and vice versa; Knowledge and understanding of gender concepts and methodologies to integrate women/girl’s rights issues in programmes and activities; Ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and stressful environment, with a minimum of comfort and in precarious security conditions; Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion. 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 stakeholders and staff at all levels, Ability to translate the mandate into strategic operational goals. Managing Performance - Ability to plan the work of large units or offices; Proven record of building and managing large teams by creating an enabling environments, effectively motivating and developing to staff. Empowering others - Encourages others to set challenging goals; Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings; Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise; Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and efforts; Involves others when making decisions that affect them. 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. Building Trust - Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion. Manages in a deliberate and predictable way. Operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to others. Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in law, political sciences, international relations, social sciences or other discipline, preferably with specialisation in human rights. 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 experience acquired at national and international levels in the field of human rights, justice and the rule of law, including in a crisis or post-conflict environment and in the development and implementation of capacity building programmes, with at least 5 years of supervisory, management and leadership experience. Proven experience in public speaking and working with senior governmental officials. Knowledge and understanding of gender concept and methodologies and on women/girl’s rights issues. Experience in United Nations Peacekeeping mission is an asset. Experience working in Africa in crisis context is an asset.

Languages Fluency in oral and written French and English is required.

Other Skills

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. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. 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.