Human Rights Officer

Organizational Context

This role is within the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Hub for East and Southern Africa, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Human Rights Officer reports to a workstream lead and supports the Regional Director. The position involves a broad range of human rights tasks, contributing to the OHCHR's mandate in the region.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer's purpose is to monitor and investigate compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law, analyze data for early warning and policy development, and draft evidence-based reports. The role involves integrating human rights perspectives into peace, humanitarian, and development planning, advising UN leadership and national authorities on protection of civilians, rule of law, and transitional justice. Additionally, the officer will foster partnerships, build capacity, and conduct advocacy initiatives to advance equality and ensure no one is left behind, contributing to the OHCHR's mission of promoting and protecting human rights.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include conducting substantive monitoring of human rights and international humanitarian law implementation, and following up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms. The role involves collecting, documenting, and analyzing evidence-based information on various rights to inform early warning, response, and decision-making, ensuring data is discoverable and shared appropriately. Drafting, reviewing, and disseminating human rights reports, briefings, and analytical papers are crucial. The officer will provide advisory and substantive support to national counterparts to strengthen their human rights systems, design and deliver capacity-building programs, and contribute to human rights mainstreaming in political, peace, humanitarian, development, and economic frameworks. Technical assistance on justice and security sectors, engagement with UN leadership on human rights integration, and research on economic policy and sustainable development are also key duties, alongside advocacy and data analysis for reporting.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or related fields is required. Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building programs and drafting human rights reports and policy documents is essential. Experience with human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis, research, and reporting methodologies is desirable, as is knowledge of regional and international human rights mechanisms and the ability to build partnerships.

Skills

Proficiency in international human rights law, norms, and standards. Expertise in human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis, research, and reporting. Skills in drafting human rights reports and policy documents. Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building programs. Ability to build and maintain partnerships. Critical thinking. Professionalism, teamwork, planning, and organizing.

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