Human Rights Officer
Organizational Context
The United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in New York, part of the UN Secretariat, oversees the Resident Coordinator System. Following a recalibration in 2026, UNDCO supports the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda and UN 2.0 initiatives. This Human Rights Officer role is within the Leave No One Behind Unit, reporting to the Chief of the Development Programme Cycle Section, and collaborates with various UN entities.
Job Purpose
The Human Rights Officer provides strategic human rights policy advice to the UN Secretariat's Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO), Resident Coordinators, and UN Country Teams. This role focuses on mainstreaming human rights into country analyses and cooperation frameworks, fostering system-wide coordination and partnerships with entities like OHCHR and UNSDG, and offering normative analysis and guidance. The position supports UN 2.0 approaches, including data, digital innovation, and behavioral science, to advance sustainable development and ensure human rights are integrated into UN operations at the country level. The officer will also coordinate support for engaging with international human rights mechanisms and provide data-driven insights for planning and decision-making.
Responsibilities
The Human Rights Officer will advise on human rights policy and the normative agenda for Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams, managing information to track human rights trends and compliance. Key duties include providing technical guidance to integrate human rights, gender equality, and 'leave-no-one-behind' principles into UN country analysis and cooperation frameworks. The role involves championing UN 2.0 approaches like foresight and digitalization, and leading partnership development. The officer will coordinate system-wide policy support, conduct research and analysis on human rights in economic policy and sustainable development, and ensure up-to-date information for recommendations. Responsibilities also include data analysis and visualization for planning, and designing capacity-building initiatives on human rights-based approaches for UN Country Teams.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, or law is required. Demonstrated experience with the sustainable development programme cycle and human rights-based approaches to sustainable development (minimum five years) is also mandatory. Field experience with the UN or a similar international organization, and at least two years of experience in data analytics, are desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, communication, and teamwork are essential. Specific competencies include knowledge of human rights issues, institutional mandates, policy analysis, and data interpretation. Strong communication skills for effective speaking and writing, and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues are required. Experience in integrating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation is also noted.