HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (Economist)

Organizational Context

This position is within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), specifically in the Sustainable Development Section of the Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Division in Geneva. The role reports to the Chief of the Sustainable Development Section, contributing to the organization's mandate on human rights within sustainable development initiatives.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer will conduct research and provide policy advice on human rights issues related to sustainable development, focusing on poverty, inequalities, and development financing. The role involves monitoring and evaluating the implementation of international human rights instruments, preparing reports for UN bodies, and collaborating with UN staff, national officials, and civil society to integrate human rights into development programs. This includes designing and implementing human rights initiatives, advising on gender perspectives, and contributing to data analysis for informed decision-making. The officer will also act as a team leader, coordinating work, managing staff, and overseeing planning and budgets, while also training junior staff and performing other related duties as required.

Responsibilities

Conduct substantive research and analysis on human rights in sustainable development, focusing on poverty, inequalities, and financing. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of international human rights instruments and recommendations from treaty bodies and the Human Rights Council. Prepare human rights sections for reports to the General Assembly and Human Rights Council, and status notes on instrument ratification. Collaborate with UN staff, national officials, development and economic officers, and civil society on project planning and review. Integrate human rights, including gender dimensions, into UN and non-governmental programs, and design human rights initiatives and evaluations. Maintain up-to-date information on human rights and sustainable development, providing recommendations. Liaise with UN sectors, international organizations, and governments on coordination and policy matters. Assist UN country teams in developing and implementing human rights and sustainable development training with a gender perspective. Serve as a team leader, coordinating work, staff, planning, and budgets. Train and supervise junior staff. Collect and analyze data to identify trends and provide insights for data-driven planning and reporting. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in human rights, economic affairs, development, or international relations is required. Two years of experience integrating human rights into sustainable development globally or nationally, and three years of experience working on poverty, inequalities, and development financing are also required. Experience as an economist on economic policy and human rights issues, and work within UN or similar international settings are desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, research and analysis, policy advice, monitoring and evaluation, report preparation, project collaboration, data analysis and visualization, training, supervision, coordination, communication, gender mainstreaming.

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