Human Rights Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: ACAFUNAMA/1002/202472

Human Rights Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: ACAFUNAMA/1002/202472

Kabul (Afghanistan)

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position is located in the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Human Rights Officer will be based in Kabul, an “E” hardship and a non-family duty station, and will serve as Human Rights Officer/Team Leader under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Human Rights Officer and overall direction of the Chief, Human Rights Service.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Leads the management and implementation of the human rights work in the assigned area, in accordance with the UNAMA Human Rights Service workplan, and management of Team members.

Plans, coordinates and leads activities related to the UNAMA’s human rights mandate, including from a gender perspective, inter alia protection of civilians, right to life, liberty and integrity; issues related to the rights of women, children, persons deprived of their liberty; human rights defenders, media workers and other vulnerable groups; and monitoring of the economic, social and cultural rights situation in the mission area. Devises advocacy strategies, advocates and advises relevant de facto authorities, civil society, the UN Country Team (UNCT) on strategies to better protect and promote human rights, and mechanisms to stop impunity and redress human rights violations in the mission area.

Establishes and maintains contact with de facto authorities, armed groups, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with complementary mandates and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advise on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights. Supports a human-rights based approach in the design and implementation of UNAMA’s preventive diplomacy, good offices, national dialogue, mediation initiatives, and other matters, as appropriate.

Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other types of communication and products in compliance with established standards, including with regard to public human rights reports. Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating or coordinating emergency preparedness and response activities including in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate.

Works directly with other components of the UN peace operation to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programmes and operations, including through developing procedures and policies, as appropriate. Designs, delivers, coordinates and evaluates human rights awareness-raising initiatives for national and subnational stakeholders. Ensures, coordinates and supervises the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database; conducts quality control; and delivers statistics and trend reports, as required.

Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women’s/girls’ rights issues in all activities, programmes and strategies. Assists in the coordination and implementation of the Human Rights Service work plan, evaluates or assists in the evaluation of its progress, and suggests adjustments as needed. Represents the UNAMA Human Rights Service at meetings and thematic events related to the UNAMA human rights mandate in the region of assignment. Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism: Good knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions in a humanitarian and conflict setting. Good knowledge of international human rights law standards and international humanitarian law.

Good knowledge of the human rights-based approach to human rights field work. Good knowledge of operational methods of work on: protection of civilians; right to life, liberty and physical integrity; protection of women and children, victims of torture and ill-treatment, and human rights defenders; and monitoring of economic, social and cultural rights.

Good research and analytical skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources to assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment. Ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyze information, and draft human rights reports and other communication products.

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 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. 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. Judgement/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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, social sciences, humanities or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights issues and relevant professional experience is required, particularly on issues of protection of civilians, right to life, liberty and integrity, gender, violence against women, child protection, prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, human rights defenders, and on economic, social and cultural rights. Experience in leading and conducting human rights investigations or fact-finding missions in a UN peace operation, UN human rights presence or equivalent international organisation – outside the country of origin – is required.

Experience in leading, managing and supervising a multicultural team is required. Experience in human rights case/data management and analytics, human rights analysis and public reporting, and legal drafting, is desirable. Experience working in Afghanistan is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.
Knowledge of Pashto and Dari is an advantage.

Assessment
Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Please click on the button below to Apply.