Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Venezuela Team. The position is temporarily based in Panama City until conditions allow for a return to Venezuela. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Americas Section and is under the functional supervision of the Chief of the Americas, Europe and Central Asia Branch and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Coordinates the activities of OHCHR in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including technical assistance, and monitors the human rights situation. – Reviews, monitors and evaluates activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, 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 human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc, as well as reports of activities of OHCHR Venezuela’s presence. – Meets regularly with UN staff, national officials as well as civil society partners to plan projects and review project activities. – Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate 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. – Develops programmes and strategies to strengthen the capacity of NGOs and other civil society organizations working for human rights. – 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, donors, 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 to carry out, in consultation with the Chief of Section, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget. – Oversees the drafting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects. – Trains and supervises new/junior staff. – 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. 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. 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. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s 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 (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience working with an international organization is desirable. Experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Experience in human rights monitoring and drafting public reports is desirable. At least two years of experience managing teams is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English

and

Spanish 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 III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Spanish

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

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 UNTIL 30 SEPTEMBER 2026.

• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade.
• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common…