Associate Human Rights Officer

Organizational Context

This position is based in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Syria Country Office in Damascus. The Associate Human Rights Officer reports to the Representative of the OHCHR Syria Country Office or their designee, contributing to the office's mandate within the UN Secretariat.

Job Purpose

The Associate Human Rights Officer's primary purpose is to monitor and analyze the implementation of international human rights and humanitarian law in Syria. This involves collecting and documenting evidence-based information on civil, cultural, economic, social, and political rights, and supporting follow-up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms. The role contributes to in-depth analysis, early warning, accountability, and informed decision-making by drafting reports, providing technical research, and supporting advisory processes with national counterparts. The position also plays a key role in capacity-building activities and promoting the integration of human rights standards into national policies and transitional justice processes, ensuring a gender-responsive and inclusive approach.

Responsibilities

The Associate Human Rights Officer is responsible for monitoring the implementation of international human rights and humanitarian law, and following up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms to enhance compliance and accountability. This includes collecting, documenting, and analyzing evidence-based information on various rights, ensuring data is discoverable and shared appropriately with a focus on gender and inclusivity. The role involves drafting human rights reports, briefings, and policy analyses, and preparing analytical papers to inform strategies and decision-making. The officer will verify and analyze multi-source information on human rights situations, provide technical research and support for advisory processes with national counterparts, and assist in strengthening national human rights systems. Additionally, the position contributes to designing and delivering capacity-building activities and supporting the integration of human rights standards into development policies and transitional justice processes, while maintaining confidentiality and data integrity.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or related fields is required. This includes experience in human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis, research, and reporting methodologies, as well as planning and conducting field missions. Experience in political affairs, international relations, law, development, or humanitarian affairs is relevant. Desirable experience includes communicating complex technical matters and integrating a human rights-based approach, gender equality, and empowerment into work.

Skills

Proficiency in human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis, research, and reporting methodologies. Ability to plan, coordinate, and conduct field missions. Strong communication skills for conveying complex technical matters to diverse audiences. Capacity to integrate a human rights-based approach, gender equality, and leave-no-one-behind principles into work. Professionalism, conscientiousness, and efficiency in meeting commitments. Ability to analyze and interpret data. Effective teamwork and collaboration skills.

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