Vacancies at United Nations, Switzerland

Position: Associate Human Rights Officer at the Office of the High Commission of Human Rights

Key responsibilities

The Associate Human Rights Officer will perform the following duties

• Services the meetings of human rights expert bodies.
• Researches and collects information pertaining to human rights matters, including their gender dimensions from a variety of data sources (e.g. communications, publications, the press) to keep abreast of issues/events and provide up-to-date information; also, assists in the analysis of information, to include the impact on the countries and thematic mandates on the human rights situation in assigned area.
• Drafts documents, reports, background notes and correspondence relating to human rights matters. Similarly, drafts, as required, documentation to be examined by human rights expert bodies as well as follow-up thereto.
• Participates in meetings and consultations; prepares summaries of the outcome.
• Maintains awareness of current human rights issues, to include relevant political and legal developments in the countries concerned.
• Participates in human rights training programs for national law enforcement officials, representatives of the civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Review human rights issues, including their gender dimensions, and participates in discussions with other Human Rights Officers (HROs) on the integration of these issues into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programs.
• Participates with other HROs in discussions with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations. Also, seeks other remedial actions by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future whenever necessary.
• Liaises with government, NGOs, Civil Society organizations, UN agencies, and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups.
• Furthermore, performs other related duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced University degree in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. However, bachelor degree holders with an additional two years of qualifying work experience are also eligible for the post.
• In addition to that, at least two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights.
• Previous experience with International Human Rights Mechanisms is desirable.
• Fluent knowledge of English or French (oral as well as written) is necessary for the post. In addition, knowledge of any other UN official language would be an advantage.