HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER/INVESTIGATOR, (Temporary Job Opening)

Organizational Context

This position is within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), specifically the Human Rights Inquiries Branch, Investigation Support Section, for the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua. Located in Panama City, the role reports to the Investigations Team Leader and operates under the overall supervision of the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Group of Experts.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer/Investigator is responsible for researching, collecting, and analyzing information related to human rights, international humanitarian, and criminal law to support the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua. This involves conducting investigations, including interviews with victims and witnesses, to corroborate allegations of violations. The role also entails monitoring trends, employing various investigative tools, identifying alleged perpetrators, and participating in missions. A key aspect is ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses, maintaining the security of investigation data, and integrating gender perspectives throughout the process. The incumbent will draft analytical documents and contribute to the Group's reports, performing other related duties as required.

Responsibilities

The Human Rights Officer/Investigator will research, collect, and analyze information on human rights, international humanitarian, and criminal law, proposing investigative methods. Responsibilities include conducting investigations through interviews to corroborate alleged violations, monitoring trends, and using tools like open-source material and satellite imagery for geolocation and authenticity assessment. The role involves identifying alleged perpetrators, participating in and organizing missions to sites of violations, and ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses according to the 'do no harm' principle. Maintaining the secure storage and preservation of investigation data is crucial. The incumbent will perform preliminary analysis, draft analytical documents with a gender analysis, and contribute to the Group of Experts' reports, ensuring gender-sensitive approaches are integrated throughout all stages.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights is required. This includes at least two years of experience in human rights monitoring or investigations of violations of international human rights, humanitarian, or criminal law. Experience interviewing victims and witnesses of human rights violations and working in or on the Latin America region are desirable.

Skills

Proficiency in international human rights law, strong analytical and research skills, legal writing abilities, understanding of international relations and the UN system, communication skills (written and verbal), and teamwork are essential. Experience with gender perspectives and gender-sensitive approaches is also required.

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