HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Organizational Context

The United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) provides support to the Gang Suppression Force, the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, the Haitian National Police, and the Haitian Armed Forces. It also offers technical assistance to the Organization of American States. This Human Rights Officer position is within the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDDP) Unit in Port-au-Prince, reporting to the head of the unit and serving as deputy team leader.

Job Purpose

The Human Rights Officer is responsible for leading and coordinating the monitoring of human rights and international humanitarian law implementation, ensuring follow-up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms to advance accountability. This role involves managing the collection and documentation of evidence-based human rights information, identifying gaps, and ensuring proper data handling. The officer will formulate recommendations and strategies to promote and protect human rights, support work with other UN entities, and mainstream human rights into program activities. Key functions include advising authorities, maintaining contact with national and international partners, integrating gender perspectives, and representing the HRDDP Unit. The role also involves analyzing information, coordinating work plans, and supervising junior staff, contributing to the overall mandate of UNSOH in Haiti.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate the monitoring of human rights and international humanitarian law, ensuring follow-up on recommendations and advancing accountability. Manage the collection, documentation, and quality control of evidence-based human rights information, including from gender and 'leave no one behind' perspectives, to support early warning and decision-making. Formulate recommendations and strategies to promote and protect human rights, particularly in the context of UNSOH support to non-UN security forces. Provide support to BINUH and other entities, developing policies and procedures, including the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy. Plan, design, implement, and evaluate strategies for mainstreaming human rights. Advocate and advise relevant authorities, UN Country Team, Humanitarian Country Team, and OHCHR senior management on human rights protection strategies. Establish and maintain contacts with national authorities, civil society, UN agencies, and other partners. Integrate gender perspectives into all activities and facilitate cooperation with OHCHR. Represent the HRDDP Unit in decision-making forums and coordinate with other human rights mandates. Analyze and synthesize human rights information, coordinate work plans, and support team leader functions. Train, coach, and supervise junior staff. Conduct human rights monitoring activities, support legal system evaluation, and lead investigations into alleged violations. Develop initiatives to address human rights violations, including sexual violence in conflict. Draft and coordinate reports and communications. Support capacity-building efforts and deliver human rights training programs for national officials and stakeholders.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or a related field is required. This includes at least five years in human rights monitoring and reporting, and experience in advocacy, capacity building program management, or investigations. Three years of experience in a UN field operation, directly working with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, is also required. Experience providing human rights services within a UN field operation or comparable international organization is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, Managing Performance, Human Rights Monitoring and Reporting, Human Rights Advocacy, Capacity Building, Investigations, UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, Gender Mainstreaming, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Training and Supervision.

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