Associate Human Rights Officer

Organizational Context

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, monitors the human rights situation and supports national authorities and stakeholders to promote and protect human rights. The office also integrates human rights into the UN Country Team's work. This role focuses on implementing anti-discrimination activities under the Deputy Head of Office's supervision.

Job Purpose

The Associate Human Rights Officer will implement anti-discrimination activities within the OHCHR office in Sarajevo. This involves monitoring international human rights and humanitarian law, analyzing developments, and supporting follow-up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms. The role requires collecting and analyzing evidence-based human rights information, conducting field missions, and drafting analytical reports. Key contributions include supporting national counterparts in strengthening human rights systems, designing and delivering capacity-building activities, and integrating human rights norms into various frameworks. The position also supports policy development, advocacy, and effective communication to advance human rights protection and accountability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Responsibilities

Monitor and support the implementation of international human rights and humanitarian law, and follow up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability. Collect, document, and analyze evidence-based information on civil, cultural, economic, social, and political rights, ensuring data is shared appropriately and considers gender and leave-no-one-behind perspectives. Conduct human rights monitoring and field verification missions, drafting analytical reports with findings and recommendations. Contribute to human rights reports, briefings, legal and policy analyses, and prepare analytical papers to inform strategies and decision-making. Provide technical research and support to national counterparts, including reviewing legislation and policies for alignment with human rights standards. Support the strengthening of national and regional human rights systems, institutions, and frameworks. Design and deliver human rights capacity-building activities for various stakeholders. Integrate human rights norms into political, peace, security, humanitarian, development, and economic frameworks. Engage with UN entities and development actors to mainstream human rights. Support treaty bodies, special procedures, and commissions of inquiry. Provide policy advisory support on human rights related to economic policy and sustainable development. Engage with youth networks for advocacy and support communication efforts.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights or related fields is required. Experience in political affairs, public affairs, international relations, law, social sciences, economics, development, or humanitarian affairs is relevant. Knowledge of international human rights law, norms, standards, and regional/international human rights mechanisms is essential.

Skills

Professionalism, analytical thinking, ability to mobilize support, capacity-building and training design/delivery/evaluation, knowledge of sustainable development and human rights intersection, knowledge of economic, social, and cultural rights, human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis, research, and reporting methodologies. Planning and organizing, effective communication, and gender mainstreaming.

Explore related opportunities