HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Organizational Context

This position is within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Central America, located in Panama City. The role reports to the Head of the Central America Regional Office/Hub, contributing to the OHCHR's mandate in the region.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer is responsible for leading early warning and prevention efforts, developing analysis, and identifying preventative measures for human rights protection needs, potentially through remote monitoring or in-country missions. The role involves establishing partnerships with early warning systems and acting as a rapid response capacity for human rights and humanitarian emergencies. Duties include reviewing and evaluating the implementation of international human rights instruments, supporting treaty bodies and special procedures, preparing reports for UN bodies, and integrating human rights, including gender dimensions, into UN and non-governmental programs. The officer will also provide recommendations on human rights matters, coordinate with various stakeholders, assist in developing training programs, and potentially lead teams, supervise staff, and manage administrative functions related to planning and budget.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include leading early warning and prevention initiatives by developing analysis and identifying preventative measures for human rights protection, utilizing remote monitoring or in-country missions, and fostering partnerships with early warning systems. The role requires acting as a rapid response capacity for human rights and humanitarian emergencies. Duties involve reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of international human rights instruments and recommendations from treaty bodies and the Human Rights Council. The officer will support the work of treaty-established bodies and special procedures, and prepare human rights sections of reports for the General Assembly and Human Rights Council. Integration of human rights, including gender dimensions, into UN and non-governmental programs is crucial, involving program design and evaluation focus. The role requires staying updated on human rights matters, making recommendations, and coordinating with UN entities, international organizations, and governments. Assisting partners in developing and implementing training programs on human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy, and the rule of law, with a gender perspective, is also a key duty. Additionally, the officer may serve as a team leader, overseeing work coordination, administrative functions, staff supervision, planning, and budget.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or a related area is required. Field experience with the UN or similar international organizations in emergency or humanitarian settings is desirable, as is experience in risk analysis and prevention.

Skills

Professionalism, Planning & Organizing, Technological Awareness, knowledge of human rights issues and their dimensions, ability to analyze and integrate information, ability to conduct studies and reach conclusions, training skills, ability to integrate gender perspectives, ability to manage time and resources effectively, and willingness to learn new technology.

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