Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) based in Kyiv, Ukraine. The incumbent reports to the Senior Human Rights Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Head of Mission and direct supervision of the Senior Human Rights Officer, the incumbent will focus on human rights in the protection of civilians, specifically covering civilian casualties recording, documenting conflict-related harm and analyzing trends and patterns, as well as providing early warning analyses, working closely with HRMMUs field offices. The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Leads teams and develops programmes on the protection of civilians, including civilian casualties documentation and monitoring of damage and destruction of civilian infrastructure.
• Reviews, monitors, and evaluates activities relating to compliance with international human rights instruments and humanitarian law, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council and patterns and trends of violations.
• Supports the work of treaty-established bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures.
• Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc. notes on the status of ratification.
• Meets regularly with other stakeholders including UN staff, national officials as well as military and police officers.
• Works with UN and non-governmental programmes, national authorities, and other relevant stakeholders in the country/region to integrate human rights internal and public reports, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps design and implements the human rights program, trend analysis, situation updates, monthly protection of civilians reports, and thematic briefs on protection of civilians.
• Ensures up-to-date information regarding emerging patterns of harm and makes recommendations on actions to take.
• Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations.
• Assists national stakeholders to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Serves as head of unit with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Deputy Head of Mission, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
• Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
• Collects and analyses data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures accurate and timely reporting, in accordance with OHCHR methodology and standards.
• Advocates for the protection of civilians and raises identified human rights concerns with relevant interlocutors, including government authorities and other actors.
• Performs other related duties as required. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights. Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems. Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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. 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. 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. Education Advanced University Degree (Master`s or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first level university degree in the abovementioned fields in combination with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job – Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience in a conflict or post-conflict setting working on human rights monitoring is required. Experience developing programmes on human rights in the protection of civilians is desirable. Managerial experience as a Team Leader in human rights Field Presence is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either Ukrainian or Russian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Desirable Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking Ukrainian UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Russian 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 THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR SIX (6) MONTHS, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinators office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term…