Org. Setting and Reporting These positions are found in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) East Africa Regional Office (EARO), within the Ethiopia Country Programme, with duty stations in Semera, Bahir Dar, Mekelle, and Shire in Ethiopia. The incumbents report to the Regional Director, or his/her designee, and are under the supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, with functional guidance from the Monitoring, Reporting and Advocacy (MRA) Unit workstream lead. *IMPORTANT NOTE: In the motivation letter of your application, please indicate the duty station you would be interested in. If you are interested in more than one, please rank them in order of preference – with *1 being the preferred position. Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Plans and coordinates activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, including from a gender perspective. • Maintains an overview of political, security, and humanitarian developments, monitors the situation for potential human rights implications, and feeds information back to the leadership for their action and/or attention, as necessary. • Prepares talking points, meeting notes, notes to file, statements, and drafts a variety of reports on various thematic issues, human rights situation, and other routine reports, special procedures, etc. • Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in the assigned region or country. • Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in the country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators. • Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions, and other bodies; follows up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies. • Ensures human rights issues, 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. • Assists the country's military and police in developing and implementing a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy, and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives. • Supervises field verification work through periodic visits; follows up on different cases and situations verified by the regional offices. • Represents the UN human rights programme at working-level meetings. • Directs capacity-building efforts on human rights in the region/country of assignment. • Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies. • May provide guidance to new/junior staff. • Performs other related duties as required Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. 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. 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 AND 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. Education An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in 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. Job - Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience working in conflict or post-conflict setting is required. Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is required. Experience in capacity building and implementing technical cooperation projects is desirable. Experience working on human rights issues related to the African region or similar field contexts is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking
English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II
Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice THESE POSITIONS ARE TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR THREE MONTHS - EXTENSIONS ARE SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE FUNDS. • A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent, or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. • However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. • A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. • 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. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process, including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • 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, religion, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, or disabilities. United Nations Considerations According 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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira