Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC), in Apia, Samoa. The incumbent reports to the UN Resident Coordinator in the country of assignment and to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights through the Regional Representative for the Pacific based in Suva, Fiji at the Pacific Regional Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Responsibilities

The Human Rights Adviser (HRA) will be responsible for the following duties: – Support the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) and the UN Country Team (UNCT) in integrating human rights into their programmes and activities, in particular the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework; – (UNSDCF) and other key strategic planning tools, including by building UNCT capacities to apply a human rights-based approach to their programmes and activities, conducting situational assessments and a mapping of UNCT capacities and needs, facilitating country-level coordination and acting as a resource person in programme activities implemented by the UNCT; – Advise the UNRC and the UNCT in developing strategies to build and strengthen national capacities and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, based on based on assessment of national context, capacities and priorities and facilitate access to specific human rights expertise, including by drawing from human rights resources and tools available; – Support the UNRC and UNCT in promoting human rights as a UN common value and upholding international norms and standards through advocacy and awareness-raising – Where applicable, in coordination with the Pacific Regional Offices Emergency Responses Team advises on integrating human rights in the humanitarian response and post-crisis recovery under the direction of the RC/Humanitarian Coordinator, should a humanitarian emergency be declared in the country of assignment; provides support and advice to the Protection Cluster as requested. – Report and regularly liaise with the Regional Office; seek support from different areas of expertise present in the Regional Office and offer good practices and lessons learned from Samoa; participate in weekly team meetings of the OHCHR Pacific Office; participate in the annual retreat and annual planning and reporting process of the Regional Office; – Support the UNRC and the UNCT and national partners in their engagement with international human rights mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review (.UPR), Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, as well as those under relevant international instruments of specialized agencies, including by supporting the dissemination and sharing of information, coordinating or facilitating the UNCT’s contributions and programmatic follow-up to the recommendations of these bodies, and helping the UNCT to provide timely and effective support to relevant country missions of Special Procedures mandate holders and other UN mechanisms; – Upon request, and under the direct supervision and guidance of the OHCHR Regional Representative and UNRC, provide advice, capacity building and technical assistance to the Government and other national stakeholders, in particular the Ombudsman Office/ National Human Rights Institution with a view to further catalysing coordinated UN responses in order to strengthen national capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights, including follow up to recommendations from the human rights mechanisms; – Perform other related duties as required, including supervision of staff/UNVs

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM : Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. 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. LEADERSHIP : Serves as a role model that other people want to follow ; Empowers others to translate vision into results ; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives ; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support ; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions ; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo ; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. JUDGMENT / DECISION-MAKING : Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly ; Gathers relevant information before making a decision ; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them ; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization ; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information ; Checks assumptions against facts ; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision ; Makes tough decisions when necessary

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in law, political science, international relations or related field. A first-level university degree 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 (7) years of progressively responsible experience at the national and international levels in the field of human rights is required. Experience in development and/or humanitarian contexts is required. Experience working on human rights issues in a field office is desirable. Experience supporting inter agency coordination; or designing/implementing capacity building initiatives is desirable. Experience working with international human rights mechanisms or treaty bodies 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

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

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 the availability of the funds. 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…