Human Rights Officer (Protection of Civilians Specialist)
Organizational Context
This position is within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Amman, Jordan. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Occupied Palestinian Territory Office or their designate. The role focuses on integrating human rights into protection of civilians planning and response within assigned areas.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this role is to lead coordination between various entities, including human rights components, mission protection bodies, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society, to effectively integrate human rights into protection of civilians (PoC) planning and response. The incumbent will develop and implement PoC strategies and action plans in consultation with affected communities. Key contributions include chairing Protection Working Groups, facilitating information sharing, analyzing threats to civilians, providing legal and policy advice on international law relevant to PoC, and contributing to the formulation of PoC policies and guidance. The role also involves advising on victim-centred, gender- and age-sensitive protection approaches and managing a team to ensure operational effectiveness and compliance with UN policies.
Responsibilities
Lead coordination efforts among human rights components, mission protection bodies, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society to integrate human rights into protection of civilians (PoC) planning and response. Develop and implement mission-wide and local PoC strategies and action plans, in consultation with affected communities. Chair Protection Working Groups to ensure human rights mainstreaming in protection coordination. Facilitate information sharing with UN stakeholders to enhance response planning and integrate findings into mission databases and reporting mechanisms. Lead the identification and analysis of harm drivers, risk factors, and emerging threats to civilians, feeding insights into early warning systems and leadership decision-making. Provide legal and policy advice on international human rights, humanitarian, and criminal law concerning PoC, developing analytical products and recommendations focused on accountability and remedies. Coordinate and contribute to the formulation of mission and UN system PoC policies, guidance, and programmes. Advise on best practices for victim-centred, gender- and age-sensitive protection policies and programmes. Ensure compliance with UN protection policies and coordinate continuous improvement initiatives. Manage and coordinate team activities, including hiring, training, task assignment, performance evaluation, and deadline management.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of experience in human rights or related fields is required. This includes at least 5 years of demonstrated knowledge of protection of civilians frameworks and at least 5 years of demonstrated knowledge of applying human rights in humanitarian contexts. Experience with development or humanitarian frameworks is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Communication, Planning and Organizing, Knowledge of protection of civilians frameworks, Knowledge of human rights in humanitarian contexts, Knowledge of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and child protection frameworks, Skills in survivor-centred approaches.