Exciting Opportunity: Human Rights Officer Role Available

03/05/2024

6 minutes read

Introduction

The pursuit of human rights stands as one of the fundamental pillars of global governance and social justice. Rooted in the belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, human rights serve as a beacon of hope in an often tumultuous world. Within this realm, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) plays a central role in promoting, protecting, and advancing human rights worldwide. Situated within the Central Africa Regional Office based in Cameroon, the Human Rights Officer serves as a vital agent of change, working tirelessly to address complex human rights challenges and foster a culture of respect, equality, and justice for all.

Table of Contents

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Understanding the Position of a Human Rights Officer

At the heart of the OHCHR’s mission lies the commitment to uphold the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. The Human Rights Officer, as a key member of the OHCHR team, is entrusted with a diverse array of responsibilities aimed at furthering this mission. Reporting to the Regional Representative and operating under the overall supervision of the Africa Branch, the Human Rights Officer occupies a pivotal position within the organizational structure.

Exploring Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a Human Rights Officer encompass a wide spectrum of functions, each essential to the effective promotion and protection of human rights. These include:

Exciting Opportunity: Human Rights Officer Role Available

Program Management: Assisting the Representative in the management of programs and operations, including donor-funded projects, to ensure the effective implementation of human rights initiatives.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating activities related to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations from treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.
Advocacy and Reporting: Supporting the work of treaty-established bodies, extra-conventional mechanisms, and special procedures, and preparing relevant human rights reports for the General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
Project Oversight: Overseeing OHCHR projects and collaborating with UN staff and national officials to plan and review project activities, ensuring alignment with human rights principles and objectives.
Integration and Capacity Building: Working with UN and non-governmental programs to integrate human rights, including gender dimensions, into their programs, and providing training and capacity building support as needed.
Information Dissemination and Coordination: Maintaining up-to-date information on substantive human rights matters, liaising with other sectors of the UN, international organizations, and governments on coordination and policy matters.
Team Leadership and Administrative Functions: Serving as a team leader, overseeing work coordination, administrative functions, staff training, and budget management in consultation with the Head of Office.
Enhancing access to life saving support to women and youth through protection and economic empowerment. Strengthening the humanitarian – development – peace nexus efforts in Yemen. Supporting women and youth advocates participate and lead in multi-track peacebuilding processes and governance structures. UN Women has also been working in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator and the broader UN system to provide coordination, normative and programme support that strengthens gender equality and women’s empowerment efforts. UN Women has been implementing a variety of projects related to supporting women’s rights actors working for peace and strategically, it has outlined three priority areas:

Essential Competencies for Success

To excel in the role of a Human Rights Officer, individuals must demonstrate a range of competencies that reflect professionalism, accountability, and organizational skills. These include:

Professionalism: A sound understanding of human rights issues, approaches, and mechanisms, coupled with the ability to assess complex human rights situations and advocate for meaningful change.
Planning and Organizing: The capacity to develop clear goals, prioritize activities, allocate resources efficiently, and adapt plans as necessary to achieve desired outcomes.
Accountability: A commitment to taking ownership of responsibilities, delivering results within prescribed standards, and operating in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

Education and Experience Requirements

Candidates for the position of Human Rights Officer are expected to meet specific education and experience criteria, including:

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or a related field.
Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, or law, with experience in monitoring human rights and implementing programs being desirable.

Language Skills

Fluency in French (both oral and written) is required for this role, while knowledge of English is considered desirable.

Assessment and Special Notice

The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise followed by a competency-based interview. It’s important to note that this position is temporary for three months, with the possibility of extension, subject to the availability of funds. While this temporary assignment offers an opportunity for new work experience, it does not guarantee future incumbency.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations is committed to recruiting staff on the basis of merit, with due regard to geographic diversity and gender balance. The organization promotes a diverse and inclusive environment, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds and identities.we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. We uphold a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure alignment with UN Women’s policies and standards of conduct.

UN Women is dedicated to realizing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. Grounded in the principles of the United Nations Charter, UN Women works tirelessly to eliminate discrimination and ensure that women’s rights are upheld in all aspects of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security initiatives. Through its strategic efforts, UN Women aims to lead and coordinate United Nations system-wide actions to translate global commitments on gender equality into tangible outcomes.

Announcements for positions within his/her office for review by supervisor to help attract ideal candidates. Takes minutes of meetings, ensuring accuracy, attention to detail and coherence. Events/Logistics Supports capacity development activities and conferences by making the logistical arrangements through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts. Arranges times through liaising with participants over availability. Liaises with budget focal points and section over costs and needs.

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Prepares background materials for participants and uploads cleared materials on the intranet. Prepares and maintains agendas on meetings and events related to the work group commitments. Travel Provides travel assistance to staff members in section for travel arrangements and entitlements based on the organization’s rules and policies. Liaises with relevant travel focal points to ensure that the organization obtains the best service and price for all travel. Briefs/de-briefs staff members on issues relating to related administrative matters such as visas, security clearance, and documentation procedures.

Internships Programme is open in January and July each year. Candidates shall apply to the vacancy that matches their personal expertise and domain. Candidates who successfully applied to the vacancy will stay in the intern talent pool and will be further assessed and selected by relevant hiring managers. The candidature will be valid for 6 months. Candidates who have been selected will be contacted directly by the relevant hiring manager. Those who were not selected for an internship in the current cycle will need to reapply to the internship programme when the new internship vacancies are released.

Extracts, inputs, maintains, and verifies correctness of travel records in the organization’s travel system to ensure accurate transactions related to travel costs and staff travel. Assists in the preparation of budgets on travel costs and maintain travel plan and budgetary control records. Monitors travel certification and report back to the team. Invoice Processing

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of a Human Rights Officer at OHCHR is both challenging and rewarding, offering an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of human rights and social justice in Central Africa. By embodying the principles of professionalism, accountability, and integrity, Human Rights Officers play a crucial role in promoting a culture of respect, equality, and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

Join us in championing human rights and making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable populations in the region. Apply now to be part of this noble endeavor.

Under the supervision of the Representative, the Programme Management Specialist is responsible for managing the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programmes for the Yemen Country Office, including providing technical support to the implementation of the Yemen Country Office programme, managing the monitoring and reporting for the Yemen Country Office, overseeing and guiding people and budget management for the programme team, building partnerships and providing support in developing resource mobilization strategies, and managing knowledge building efforts.

Keywords: Human Rights Officer, OHCHR, United Nations, Central Africa, Cameroon, Program Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Advocacy, Coordination, Professionalism, Accountability, Diversity, Inclusion.