SENIOR HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER/COORDINATOR (TEMPORARY JOB OPENING)

Organizational Context

This position is within the Commission of Inquiry on the situation in North and South Kivu provinces, DRC, based in Kinshasa. The role operates under the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), reporting to the Chief of the Human Rights Inquiries Branch and the Chief of the Investigation Support Section.

Job Purpose

The Senior Human Rights Officer/Coordinator will lead the development of investigation plans, methodologies, and tools for data collection and processing. This role supports Commission Members in substantive, operational, and administrative procedures, ensuring adherence to strategic objectives and fact-finding methodologies, including gender perspectives. The incumbent manages the Commission's Secretariat, oversees victim and witness protection plans, and acts as a key liaison with various stakeholders. A primary responsibility is ensuring the quality and timely delivery of the Commission's reports, while also managing the budget and finances.

Responsibilities

Supervise the development of investigation plans, methodology, and tools for data collection and processing. Support Commission Members with substantive, operational, and administrative procedures. Manage the Commission's Secretariat, ensuring effective workflows, information sharing, accountability, and performance management. Keep Commission Members informed of the budgetary situation and facilitate communication with OHCHR. Ensure tasks align with strategic objectives and standard fact-finding methodology, integrating gender perspectives. Coordinate investigation and reporting tasks. Oversee plans for victim and witness protection and survivor referrals. Arrange and accompany Commission Members on field missions. Serve as the primary interlocutor on operational and substantive matters with duty bearers, member states, UN agencies, and media. Ensure the integration of gender perspectives throughout investigations and reporting. Take ultimate responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of Commission reports. Liaise with security coordinators regarding security requirements. Manage the Commission's budget and finances, ensuring timely reporting.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in human rights, or a combination of human rights and international humanitarian/criminal law, is required. Five years of team management experience is also required. Two years of experience in human rights, international humanitarian law, or international criminal law investigations is desirable, as is experience in the region or similar contexts.

Skills

Professionalism, Teamwork, Planning and Organizing, Leadership, Judgement/Decision Making, knowledge of human rights issues, ability to evaluate and integrate information, ability to conduct in-depth studies, ability to advise on human rights issues, ability to manage teams, ability to conduct investigations, gender perspective integration.

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