HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER/SECURITY SECTOR ADVISER (Temporary Job Opening)

Organizational Context

This position is based in Vienna, Austria, within the Group of independent experts on human rights situation in Belarus. The role operates under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Group of independent experts on Belarus, as part of the Human Rights Inquiries Branch within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer/Security Sector Advisor is responsible for researching, collecting, and analyzing information and documentation related to human rights and international criminal law. This includes mapping and analyzing state police structures, advising on police procedures, and conducting investigations through interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers. The role involves monitoring trends, employing various tools for geolocation and authenticity assessment, identifying alleged perpetrators, and participating in missions. A key aspect is ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses, safeguarding investigation documentation, and integrating gender perspectives throughout the process. The incumbent will also draft analytical documents and contribute to official reports.

Responsibilities

The role involves researching, collecting, and analyzing human rights and international criminal law matters, proposing investigative methods, and mapping state police structures. The incumbent will advise on police procedures, including ballistics, weapons, vehicles, and aircraft. Investigations will be conducted through interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement personnel to corroborate allegations. Responsibilities include monitoring violation trends, using multi-source tools for geolocation and authenticity verification, and identifying alleged perpetrators. The role also entails organizing and participating in missions, ensuring the protection of victims and witnesses according to the 'do no harm' principle, and safeguarding investigation documentation. Preliminary analysis and drafting of analytical documents, including gender analysis, are required, along with contributing to official reports and ensuring gender-sensitive approaches.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressive work experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, or law is required. Two years of experience investigating violations of international human rights or criminal law is also mandatory. Experience in information analysis, mapping law enforcement structures, advising on police procedures, and regional experience are desirable.

Skills

Proficiency in international human rights, humanitarian, and criminal law; strong research and analytical skills; ability to identify and resolve human rights issues; experience in data collection and report drafting; effective information integration and assessment; professionalism, teamwork, and accountability; gender sensitivity; fluency in English and Russian (oral and written).

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