Assistant Human Rights Officer
Organizational Context
This position is within the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Assistant Human Rights Officer will be based in regional offices in Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif, or at headquarters in Kabul. The role operates under the supervision of Human Rights Officers/Team Leaders and guidance from Senior Human Rights Officers.
Job Purpose
The Assistant Human Rights Officer supports the UNAMA human rights mandate by contributing to the planning, coordination, and implementation of activities. This includes monitoring protection of civilians, fundamental freedoms, and economic, social, and cultural rights, with a focus on gender perspectives and vulnerable groups. The role involves researching, verifying, and analyzing human rights information, liaising with stakeholders, and assisting in fact-finding for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. The officer will contribute to database management, reporting, developing recommendations, and mainstreaming human rights across UN activities. Field missions, translation, and interpretation are also key functions.
Responsibilities
Assist in planning, coordinating, and implementing UNAMA's human rights mandate, focusing on civilian protection, fundamental freedoms, and economic, social, and cultural rights, integrating gender perspectives. Research, collect, verify, and analyze human rights information from various sources. Apply UN methodologies for human rights monitoring, reporting, and investigations. Liaise with local authorities, civil society, and UN agencies to monitor human rights developments. Support initiatives to address human rights violations and assist in fact-finding for international law breaches. Ensure timely data entry into human rights databases and conduct detention monitoring visits. Analyze data for situational awareness and prepare reports using data visualization. Draft human rights reports and communications, formulate recommendations, and participate in mainstreaming human rights across UN operations. Engage in dialogue with stakeholders, support awareness-raising programs, and participate in field missions. Perform translation and interpretation duties as required.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, social work, or legal affairs is required. Experience with international human rights standards, monitoring, reporting, and capacity-building is essential. Experience in database management, data analytics, and project management is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, strong research and analytical skills, knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law, ability to monitor and report on human rights issues, data analysis, communication (written and verbal), teamwork, and gender mainstreaming.