HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER/SGBV INVESTIGATOR (Temporary Job Opening)

Organizational Context

This position is within the Group of independent experts on the situation of human rights in Belarus, operating under the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Vienna, Austria. The role reports to the Investigation Team Leader and the Coordinator of the Secretariat, contributing to the mandate established by the Human Rights Council.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer/SGBV Investigator is responsible for leading investigations into sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as mandated by the Human Rights Council. This involves researching, collecting, and analyzing information and documentation related to SGBV, and developing information gathering plans. The role conducts investigations through interviews with victims and witnesses to corroborate allegations of violations of international human rights and criminal law. It also involves monitoring trends, employing mapping and multi-source tools for geolocation and authenticity assessment, identifying perpetrators, and participating in fact-finding missions. A key aspect is ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses, particularly women and girls, adhering to the 'do no harm' principle and utilizing referral pathways. The incumbent will draft analytical reports, including gender analysis, and ensure a gender-sensitive approach throughout all investigative and reporting stages.

Responsibilities

The Human Rights Officer/SGBV Investigator leads research, collection, and analysis of information and documentation concerning sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Responsibilities include advising on information gathering plans, proposing investigation methods, and conducting investigations through interviews to corroborate alleged violations of international human rights and criminal law. The role involves timely monitoring of violation trends and patterns, utilizing monitoring and mapping tools, including open-source materials and satellite imagery, for geolocation and authenticity assessment. The incumbent identifies alleged perpetrators, participates in and organizes missions to violation sites, and develops analytical reports following fact-finding missions. Crucially, the role ensures the protection of victims and witnesses, especially women and girls, applying the 'do no harm' principle and referral pathways for SGBV survivors. Information and documentation must be protected, stored, and preserved safely. Preliminary analysis and drafting of analytical documents, including gender analysis, are required. The role provides inputs for the Group of independent experts on Belarus and ensures gender perspectives are integrated into all stages of investigation, analysis, and reporting.

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 conducting human rights investigations. Experience in investigating sexual and gender-based violence is desirable.

Skills

Knowledge of international human rights, humanitarian, and criminal law; research and analytical skills; ability to identify and resolve human rights issues; data collection and analysis; report drafting; evaluating and integrating information from multiple sources; understanding of institutional mandates, policies, and procedures; professionalism; teamwork; planning and organizing; gender perspective integration.

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