SENIOR HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Organizational Context

This position is based in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Nassau, the Bahamas. The role serves as the Regional Representative, acting on behalf of the OHCHR. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Americas Region, Global Operations Division, in coordination with the Chief of the Regional Liaison Team for the Americas.

Job Purpose

The Senior Human Rights Officer will lead and coordinate the CARICOM Regional Office's mandate, focusing on monitoring, advisory services, technical cooperation, and the promotion and protection of human rights. This includes formulating human rights strategies, developing a clear vision for the office's work, and advising governments and UN Country Teams on strengthening national capacities and institutions. The role involves daily management of the office, including oversight of resources, representing the High Commissioner, and building relationships with regional authorities, UN agencies, and NGOs. The officer will also design and implement policy changes, manage the office's program of work and budget, promote fundraising, prepare reports, and advise high-level government officials on human rights issues and policies, while overseeing research initiatives and managing staff.

Responsibilities

The Senior Human Rights Officer is responsible for leading and coordinating the CARICOM Regional Office's activities, including monitoring, advisory services, technical cooperation, and human rights promotion and protection. This involves formulating human rights strategies, developing office vision, and advising governments and UN Country Teams on capacity building. The role includes daily management of office operations, resource oversight, and representing the High Commissioner. Key duties involve building relationships with regional authorities, UN agencies, and NGOs, proposing policy directives, and designing/implementing significant policy and program changes. The officer will also manage the office's work program, budget, and fundraising efforts, prepare human rights reports, advise high-level government officials, oversee research, and manage and develop international and national staff.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, or law is required. Essential experience includes designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives, high-level policy engagement with senior officials, and integrating human rights into strategic planning and programming. Experience in humanitarian response and disaster recovery is also required. Desirable experience includes managing a large team and providing advisory services in field settings.

Skills

Professionalism, communication, teamwork, leadership, and judgment/decision-making are core competencies. Specific skills include knowledge of human rights issues, institutional mandates, policy analysis, strategic planning, program development, stakeholder engagement, resource management, and staff supervision. The ability to advise governments and UN teams on human rights matters, integrate gender perspectives, and manage complex situations is crucial.

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