National Consultant: Human Rights Officer
Organizational Context
UNFPA is the UN agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to fulfill every young person's potential. This role sits within the UNFPA Country Office in Ghana, reporting to the Head of the Gender and Human Rights Unit. The consultant will contribute to the Gender and Human Rights programme, focusing on reducing gender-based violence and advancing the ICPD agenda and SDG 5.
Job Purpose
The Human Rights Officer provides critical input and ensures coherence with national and international planning frameworks, including the UNFPA Strategic Plan and the UN Sustainable Cooperation Framework. The role involves guiding collaborative relationships with government, multilateral agencies, and civil society to address emerging issues and facilitate programme delivery. A key purpose is to influence counterparts and engage networks, including civil society, to advance the ICPD agenda through partnerships, national capacity strengthening, and South-South cooperation, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind.
Responsibilities
The consultant will manage a scale-up project, contributing to UNFPA's Gender and Human Rights programme to reduce gender-based violence and advance the ICPD agenda and SDG 5. Key duties include planning and coordinating human rights activities with a political lens, conducting research and analysis on accountability and human rights for key and marginalized populations, and providing specialized advice to government, civil society, and faith-based organizations. The role involves following up on policy-making body decisions, integrating human rights and gender equality into programmes, and contributing to training programmes for government and CSO partners. The officer will represent UNFPA at relevant meetings, assist in capacity-building and knowledge sharing, and write various reports and communications.
Work Experience
A minimum of 3 years of experience in sexual and reproductive health, national/international human rights law, international humanitarian law, or international criminal law is required. At least 3 years of professional experience in programme/project management is also necessary. Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and donor institutions is desirable, as is familiarity with UN country programmes and UNFPA policies.
Skills
Core competencies include integrity, commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, embracing cultural diversity, accountability, and developing professional expertise. Functional skills involve analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, data management, job knowledge, planning, organizing, multitasking, and providing financial/budget support.