Human Rights Officer
Organizational Context
This position is within the Intergovernmental Affairs, Communication and Outreach Section of the New York Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The role reports to the Chief of the Section and contributes to OHCHR's engagement with intergovernmental bodies and UN principal organs.
Job Purpose
The Human Rights Officer supports OHCHR's engagement with New York-based intergovernmental bodies and UN principal organs, particularly the Security Council and General Assembly, to integrate human rights into their work. This involves providing substantive inputs, advice, and timely information to Member States, UN entities, and civil society. The role coordinates advocacy, outreach, and public information activities on key thematic or country-specific issues, fostering partnerships and disseminating analysis. The incumbent also supports the Assistant Secretary-General and contributes to the planning and reporting processes of the OHCHR New York Office, potentially supervising junior officers.
Responsibilities
The Human Rights Officer supports OHCHR's engagement with intergovernmental bodies by providing substantive inputs, advice, and documentation, and by monitoring and analyzing deliberations. The role involves representing OHCHR to integrate human rights perspectives into policy formulation. Additionally, the officer engages strategically with UN principal organs, focusing on peace and security issues related to the Security Council and General Assembly. This includes coordinating advocacy, outreach, and public information, providing guidance on human rights matters, and developing/disseminating analytical materials. The role also contributes to the OHCHR New York Office's operations, supporting senior officials, planning processes, and potentially supervising junior staff.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, or law is required. This includes at least five years of international experience in human rights, two years working on peace and security within a multilateral intergovernmental institution, and two years of direct engagement with intergovernmental bodies in human rights processes.
Skills
Professionalism, communication, teamwork, planning and organizing, knowledge of human rights issues, ability to analyze and integrate information, training skills, gender equality awareness, effective listening and responding, collaborative work, goal setting, time management, and risk assessment.