Human Rights Officer, P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the oversight of the Chair of United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In 2026, DCO undertook a recalibration to ensure the RC system remains optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda and embodies the UN 2.0 shift- anchored in data, digital, innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission-driven organizational culture. The position is located in the Leave No One Behind Unit under the Development Programme Cycle Section in the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in New York and reports to the Chief, Development Programme Cycle Section. The Human Rights Officer works closely with the other sections under the Policy, Programme, and Data Division, as well as with OHCHR and other entities of the UN system as required. The proposed position would focus on four areas: 1. Strategic human rights policy advice to DCO, Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams. 2. Human rights mainstreaming in Common Country Analyses and Cooperation Frameworks. 3. System-wide coordination and partnerships with OHCHR, UNSDG entities and other stakeholders. 4. Normative analysis and guidance, including relevant international human rights mechanisms and recommendations.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Strategic human rights policy advice to DCO, Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams. • Advises the United Nations Sustainable Development Group's (UNSDG) efforts on policy development and guidance on human rights and the normative agenda for Resident Coordinators (RCs) and United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs), as the lead focal point for relevant human rights and normative agenda task forces and working groups. • Manage the collection and evaluation of multi-source information to identify human rights trends and measure implementation of international obligations and human rights mechanism recommendations. 2. Human rights mainstreaming in Common Country Analyses and Cooperation Frameworks. • Provide advice on policy and strategies, and technical guidance to integrate human rights—including gender equality and leave-no-one-behind—into UN country analysis, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, humanitarian planning and other preparedness, response and recovery tools. • Supports the Section's efforts to champion UN 2.0 approaches, including foresight, innovation, data, digitalisation (including harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI)), and behavioural science, and to advance the uptake at national level, via RCs and UNCTs, to identify potential pathways for systems transformations. 3. System-wide coordination and partnerships with OHCHR, UNSDG entities and other stakeholders. • Lead and coordinate the office's partnership building and creation of new partnerships. • Leads system-wide integrated policy support to RCs and UNCTs on coordination and policy matters on the Secretary-General's Call to Action on human rights and the normative agenda, ensuring an effective policy-practice feedback loop on sustainable development policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations. • Normative analysis and guidance, including relevant international human rights mechanisms and recommendations. • Coordinate and lead the support to UN Country Team /Humanitarian Country Team and national partners in engaging with and following up on UPR, treaty bodies, special procedures and regional mechanisms. • Lead and coordinate substantive research, analysis, guidance and policy advice on human rights issues in the context of economic policy and sustainable development, with a focus on poverty, inequalities and development financing, including as relevant to UN Common Country Analysis and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks. • Ensures up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes recommendations for RCs and UNCTs on actions to take. • Collect and analyse data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and report using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. • Design and coordinate the capacity building initiatives for the UN Country Team / Humanitarian Country Team to apply a human rights-based approach, including through theme groups and tailored training. • Performs other related duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Counterparts in OHCHR, EOSG, UNSSC Staff of specialized agencies, UNHCR, representatives of non-governmental organisations, regional intergovernmental organisations, etc. University professors, students and interested public Results Expected: Takes a lead role in identifying the underlying cause of human rights violations; negotiates with conflicting factions to identify causes of human rights violations and discusses possible bases for resolution. Serves as an effective spokesperson, and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties involved to engender support for and advance the institution's human rights agenda.

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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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 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 decision, 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, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Demonstrated experience with the sustainable development programme cycle is required. A minimum of five years experience with human rights based approaches to sustainable development is required. Field experience with the UN or a related international organisation is desirable. Two years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice Appointment against this post is open for an initial period of 364 days and may be subject to extension, subject to legislative body funding availability. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up-to-date. 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