HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER / LEGAL ADVISER (Temporary Job Opening)

Organizational Context

This position is within the Independent International Fact Finding Mission for the Sudan, established by the Human Rights Council. The role reports to the Mission's Coordinator and the Chief of Investigations Support Section within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The mission investigates the human rights situation in Sudan.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer/Legal Adviser will provide critical legal expertise to the Independent International Fact Finding Mission for the Sudan. This involves advising the team on the applicable legal framework and standards for human rights investigations, conducting legal research, and contributing to the investigation plan. The role is responsible for analyzing gathered information, advising on proof standards, identifying responsible parties, and drafting legal opinions and briefing documents. A key function is ensuring the legal accuracy of all mission documents, including reports and submissions, and integrating a gender perspective into legal analysis and findings. The incumbent will also advise on legal findings and accountability recommendations, contributing significantly to the mission's mandate fulfillment.

Responsibilities

Advise the investigation team on the applicable legal framework and standards for human rights situations. Conduct legal analysis and research, contributing to the development of the investigation plan. Qualify gathered information legally, advise on proof standards, and identify responsible parties. Draft legal opinions, memoranda, and briefing documents for mission members and staff. Ensure the legal accuracy of all mission documents, including reports, submissions, and press releases. Identify trends and patterns of human rights violations, international criminal law, and humanitarian law breaches. Draft the legal framework and analysis for mission reports, ensuring consistency with the mandate and gathered information. Conduct information gathering, including interviews and analysis of open-source material. Integrate gender perspectives into legal analysis and findings, reflecting gendered impacts. Advise on legal findings and recommend accountability measures. Perform other related duties as required.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in human rights, international humanitarian law, or international criminal law is required. At least two years of experience providing legal analysis to human rights investigative bodies or tribunals is also necessary. Experience working in or on the region is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Teamwork, Planning and Organizing, knowledge of human rights issues, legal analysis, research, drafting legal documents, gender perspective integration, information gathering, and communication.

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