Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Central Africa (CARO) in Yaounde, Cameroon. The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative of the OHCHR Regional Office for Central Africa (CARO) and the Chief of the Business and Human Rights Section in Geneva.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, particularly the UN Guiding principles on Business and Human Rights, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.
• Supports the work of treaty-established bodies and extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures.
• Prepares relevant business and human rights parts of reports and notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.
• Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate business and human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps design and implements the human rights program and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation.
• Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights 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.
• Serves as team leader with responsibility for carrying out, in consultation with the Chief of the Section, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
• Represents the Office at relevant events, activates network of business and human rights practitioners and responds to external queries regarding business and human rights standards.
• Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
• Collects and analyzes 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.
• Performs other related duties as required. Competencies
• Professionalism: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of business and 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. Experience in working with business, states and other stakeholders on implementation of the UN Guiding principles on Business and Human Rights. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• 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.
• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience in working with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is required. Experience in engagement with the business sector is required. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. 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 II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II French UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or availability of funds. External candidate selected through this job opening will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited to the entity (FTA-limited) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on Administration of appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10 who are selected through this job opening will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. 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. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency…