Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) based in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Human Rights Officer reports to the Deputy Head of Mission.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be focused on human rights in the administration of justice, specifically detention and trial monitoring and working closely with HRMMUs field offices, and responsible for the following duties:

• Leads teams and develops programmes on human rights in the administration of justice, specifically detention and trial monitoring.
• 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 Mission, General Assembly, HRC, etc. notes on the status of ratification of human rights instruments, etc.
• Meets regularly with other stakeholders including UN staff, national officials as well as military and police officers.
• 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.
• 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.
• Assists national stakeholders to develop and implement a training program in the field of human rights, administration of justice, 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.
• 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. 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. 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 the abovementioned fields 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 in a conflict or post-conflict setting working on human rights monitoring is desirable. Experience developing programmes on human rights in the administration of justice 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, 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…