Posting Title: HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER, P4
Job Code Title: HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER
Department/Office: United Nations Mission in Kosovo
Duty Station: MITROVICA (KOSOVO)
Posting Period: 02 May 2023 – 15 May 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Human Rights Affairs-UNMIK-208151-F-Mitrovica (Kosovo) (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in Mitrovica. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Human Rights Office, who is based in Pristina.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
- Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area;
- Works directly with other components of the UN peace operation to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs and operations, including through developing procedures and policies, as appropriate;
- Plans, designs, implements and evaluates strategies for the mainstreaming of human rights in the activities of the UN peace mission and the UN Kosovo Team and advocates for the integration of human rights in these programmes;
- Establishes and maintains contact with local authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advises on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights in the mission area;
- Contributes, under the guidance of the head of the Human Rights component, to the design, implementation and monitoring of human rights-related programmatic activities in the mission area;
- Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls’ rights issues in all activities, programmes and strategies;
- Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora as appropriate;
- Promotes coordination among all human rights-related mandates present in the mission area;
- Analyses and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights, including from open sources;
- Assists in the development, coordination and implementation of the human rights work plan; Evaluates or assists in the evaluation of its progress and suggests adjustments as needed;
- In consultation with the Head of the Human Rights component, coordinates the team work and administrative functions relating to the staffing, planning and budgeting in mission area;
- Trains, coaches and supervises new and junior staff, manages their performance, and assists in training needs assessments; and
- Performs other related duties as required. Human Rights Monitoring, Reporting and Field Coordination:
- Coordinates, supervises and conducts human rights monitoring activities in compliance with United Nations (UN) methodology and relevant to the observance of international human rights and humanitarian law in the mission area; Establishes as needed, baseline data for the appropriate monitoring of the human rights situation in the mission area;
- Coordinates the monitoring of and evaluates the legal system and its compliance with international human rights instruments and advises where appropriate, relevant authorities including on the implementation of UN recommendations;
- Develops and coordinates initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses, including with respect to sexual violence in conflict;
- Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other type of communications in compliance with established standards, including with regard to public human rights reports;
- Ensures the integration of UN-developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting, protection and investigation activities.
CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive problems. Knowledge of issues related to human rights work in post-conflict contexts. Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights. Ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender, social, economic, etc., causing civil unrest in a country or geographic area; Analytical and research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in assigned region/State. 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.
EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or 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 ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or closely related field, of which at least half in human rights, are required; A minimum of three years of experience in project management, including result-based management is desirable; A minimum of three years of experience working in the field, including in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable; A minimum of two years of experience in supervising a team is required; A minimum of two years of human rights monitoring and reporting is required.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
AssessmentPreviously rostered candidates are not subject to any further formal assessment. Short-listed candidates may be invited for informal conversation.
Special NoticeThis “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. At 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.
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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.