Human Rights Officer

Organizational Context

This position is within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Southern Africa in Pretoria. The National Human Rights Officer reports to the Regional Representative for Southern Africa or designee and the Human Rights and Drug Policy Advisor (Project Lead). The role contributes to the UN's human rights mandate in the region.

Job Purpose

The National Human Rights Officer is responsible for planning and coordinating human rights activities, including thematic and country mandates with a gender perspective. This involves conducting substantive research and analysis of human rights issues, assessing their impact, and collecting/analyzing relevant data, including gender-specific indicators. The role supports sub-commissions and commissions, ensuring human rights and gender equality are integrated into political, humanitarian, and economic efforts. It also supports the office's project on a human rights-based approach to drug policy and contributes to strategies on non-discrimination, accountability, rule of law, peace, security, and development. The officer provides technical assistance to member states, civil society, and national human rights institutions, represents the UN human rights program, directs capacity-building efforts, and writes various reports and communications.

Responsibilities

The National Human Rights Officer plans and coordinates human rights activities, addressing thematic and country mandates with a gender perspective. Responsibilities include conducting in-depth research and analysis of human rights issues and their regional impact, and collecting/analyzing human rights data and indicators, including gender-specific ones. The role involves supporting human rights bodies and following up on their decisions. It ensures the integration of human rights and gender equality considerations into broader political, humanitarian, and economic initiatives. The officer defines work plans, supports projects on human rights-based drug policies and related strategies (non-discrimination, accountability, rule of law, peace, security, development), and provides technical assistance to stakeholders. Additionally, the role involves representing the UN human rights program, directing capacity-building initiatives, and producing various written outputs like reports and briefings. Guidance to junior staff and other related duties are also part of the responsibilities.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, or law is required. Essential experience includes formulating human rights analysis and integrating human rights into law and/or policy. Experience in delivering technical assistance and capacity-building programs on human rights is desirable, as is experience in human rights and drug policies, and working with an international organization.

Skills

Professionalism, teamwork, and accountability. Specific competencies include knowledge of human rights issues, research and analytical skills, ability to identify and resolve human rights problems, data collection and analysis, report writing, integrating gender perspectives, collaborative work, and taking responsibility for commitments and results.

Explore related opportunities