Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Assessment & Technical Assistance Office, Human
Rights/Countering Violent Extremism Cluster, CTED. The incumbent reports directly to the Senior Human Rights Officer

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
– Assists the Senior Human Rights Officer in providing expert advice to the CTED Executive Director and CTED staff on international human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law in relation to counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism.
– Prepares background briefing notes on the legal aspects/analysis of human rights for discussion with Member States as appropriate.
– Assists the Executive Director and the Senior Human Rights Officer in liaising with the various international and regional organizations specialized in international human rights law, humanitarian law and refugee law issues, as well as with civil society including nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions.
– Assists in the analysis of the status of implementation of UN resolutions 1373 (2001), 1624
(2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017) and other Security Council resolutions relevant to counter-terrorism, with particular reference to human rights aspects of those resolutions.
– Participates as appropriate in CTC visits to Member States to report on their compliance with relevant resolutions and to make recommendations on subsequent follow-up actions to be taken, with particular reference to relevant human rights issues.
– Assists in organizing CTED-led global and regional workshops to bring together practitioners to share good practices on implementing various aspects of resolution 1373 (2001), 1624 (2005), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017) and other relevant resolutions.

Competencies

Professionalism:
– Authoritative knowledge of and wide exposure to the full range of human rights issues relevant to counter-terrorism, to include approaches and techniques to address highly sensitive/complex problems
– Excellent knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights
– Original thinking, independent judgment and discretion in advising on and handling major issues and problems
– Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Communication:
-Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
-Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
-Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
-Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience
-Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed
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 decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.

Experience with counterterrorism matters is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.