UN Jobs – Human Rights Officer/Transitional Justice Adviser (Accountability) – Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Job Title: Human Rights Officer/Transitional Justice Adviser (Accountability)

Organisation: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda

Grade: P4

Job Opening Number: 22-Human Rights Affairs-OHCHR-195197-J-Entebbe (R)

 

About US:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) represents the world’s commitment to universal ideals of human dignity. We have a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect all human rights. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations. The High Commissioner heads OHCHR and spearheads the United Nations’ human rights efforts. We offer leadership, work objectively, educate and take action to empower individuals and assist States in upholding human rights.

 

Job Summary: This position is located within the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (IHREE) (the Commission) pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/51/L.19. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Commission.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the Transitional Justice Adviser will be responsible for the following duties:

• Coordinates the tasks of the Commission relating to the provision of advice and guidance on transitional justice and accountability processes, including gender-sensitive approach in truth-seeking initiatives, reparations, justice and institutional reforms and assists the Commission in reporting on the factual basis for transitional justice and reconciliation in Ethiopia.
• Assists the Commission in making recommendations to the Government of Ethiopia on technical assistance and capacity building as appropriate, to promote truth-seeking initiatives, accountability and reparations for human rights violations, as well as institutional reforms, among other guarantees of non-recurrence, and liaises with relevant national, regional and international mechanisms such as the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, as well as the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence.
• Advises the team on matters related to the applicable legal framework and the legal standards applicable to the transitional justice issues the human rights situation under investigation;
• Conducts analysis and research on various legal matters pertaining to the transitional justice, and contributes to drafting the investigation plan; formulates recommendations for evidence collection and options for accountability measures aiming at combating impunity.
• Suggests legal qualifications of gathered information, advises on the standard of proof and determines responsibilities and, where possible, identifies those responsible;
• Provides advice on different legal issues and assists in drafting legal opinions, memoranda and other briefing documents for Members and Secretariat staff;
• Ensures legal accuracy of all documents, including reports, submissions, press releases etc., prepared by the Secretariat;
• Identifies trends and patterns of human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international criminal law and international humanitarian law;
• Drafts the legal framework and analysis of the Commission’s reports and ensures consistency of findings, conclusions and recommendations with the mandate, applicable law and information gathered;
• Conducts information gathering activities under the guidance of the Investigation Team Leader, including interviews and the collection and analysis of open sources material and satellite imagery;
• Ensures the legal analysis and legal qualification of the findings integrate gender perspectives, reflecting the gender dimensions and gendered impact of the violations, with regard to transitional justice and accountability;
• Advises the Coordinator and the team on the legal findings related to transitional justice and accountability and discusses the possible recommendations.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate must hold an Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, or another discipline related to human rights is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law is required.
• Out of the seven years, at least two (2) years of experience in providing legal analysis on international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law or related legal areas is required.
• At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the human rights field working with international accountability mechanisms, UN fact-finding missions/commissions of inquiry or in UN field presences is desirable.
• Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English, (both oral and written) is required.

 

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights. Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems. Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

 

How to Apply:

All interested candidates who wish to join the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to click on the link below and follow the application instructions after reviewing the job details.

 

Click Here

 

Deadline: 29^th November 2022