National Human Rights Officer at the Office of the High Commissioner For Human Rights (OHCHR) - Abuja

Office of the High Commissioner For Human Rights (OHCHR) - As the principal United Nations office mandated to promote and protect human rights for all, OHCHR leads global human rights efforts speaks out objectively in the face of human rights violations worldwide. We provide a forum for identifying, highlighting and developing responses to today's human rights challenges, and act as the principal focal point of human rights research, education, public information, and advocacy activities in the United Nations system.
 
Since Governments have the primary responsibility to protect human rights, the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provides assistance to Governments, such as expertise and technical trainings in the areas of administration of justice, legislative reform, and electoral process, to help implement international human rights standards on the ground. We also assist other entities with responsibility to protect human rights to fulfil their obligations and individuals to realize their rights.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: National Human Rights Officer

Job ID: 12723
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Practice Area - Job Family: Management
Grade: SB5
Vacancy Type: Service Contract (SC)
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Management   
Contract Duration: Initial duration of one year

Duties and Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, under the supersion of the Senior Human Rights Advsier and in close coordination with the Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator, the National Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Researches, collects, verifies, analyses information relevant to the observance of international human rights and humanitarian law in the mission area;
• Advises UNCT/HCT and relevant national authorities on compliance with human rights standards and principles including on the implementation of human rights recommendations by the UN;
• Liaises with other UN actors present in the mission area for the collection and verification of information on the human rights situation and informs on human rights considerations that should be taken into account by other actors, including those delivering humanitarian response or coordinating emergency preparedness and response activities, as well as by the UN mission in respect of future operations;
• Advocates with relevant authorities and other influential actors to stop or prevent human rights violations, seeks remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future;
• Advises the UNCT/HCT team on the coordination of initiatives to strengthen the protection response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses as per the monitoring activities undertaken;
• Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls’ rights issues in all activities;
• Conducts investigations of human rights and international humanitarian law abuses and violations;
• Ensures, and where relevant supervises, the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases in an established database in compliance with established standards;
• Integrates UN-developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting and investigation activities and supports the operational aspects of planning and/or monitoring and investigation activities;
• Writes, reviews, coordinates, if needed, and ensures the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other types of communications in compliance with established standards and in particular with respect to reporting on human rights situation ;
• Ensures cooperation and appropriate communication with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the sharing of human rights information and with respect to the project implementation;
• Supports the Senior Human Rights Adviser in staffing, planning and budgeting as required;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Proven sensitivity to the political and social environment and ability to adjust behaviours accordingly;
• In-depth knowledge of human rights principles, international mechanisms and related concepts, including protection of civilians, transitional justice, humanitarian action, DDR, legislative and rule of law reforms, gender mainstreaming and conflict-related sexual violence; Good knowledge of institutional mandates, organizational policies, and methodologies relating to human rights;
• Capacity to monitor and coordinate human rights-related matters with other UN, NGO, state and/or government stakeholders and to advocate for the respect and integration of human rights in various fora;
• Good analytical and research skills, including the ability to gather, validate, evaluate and integrate relevant human rights information from a variety of sources, to assess their impact and to provide recommendations to redress situations;
• Commitment to seek new and improved methods of work for accomplishing the work of the human rights component;
• Ability to relate to and integrate human rights issues and perspectives into other fields, including humanitarian action, development, rule of law, legislation reforms and election support, to human rights issues and activities and vice versa;
• Good knowledge of planning, implementation, coordination and evaluation of human rights capacity development initiatives for multiple stakeholders;
• Capacity to serve as internal resource person, share knowledge and to deliver training for colleagues and external stakeholders alike;
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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

Communication:

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Technological Awareness:

• Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office;
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

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

Required Skills and Experience
Experience:

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in assigned geographic locations in conflict situations in the area of human rights and humanitarian response, including in the cause and resolution of human rights conflicts in accordance with international standards.
• Previous experience in humanitarian interventions, human rights monitoring, investigations and reporting as well as programme management is required.

Education:

• An advanced university Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences or in a related area.

Language:

• Fluency in English (both oral and written), is required. Knowledge of local language is required.

Application Closing Date
6th November, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online