Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the West Africa Regional Office (WARO) in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Dakar. The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative and the Chief of the Women’s Human Rights and Gender Section (WHRGS).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer (Regional Gender Advisor) will be responsible for the following duties: • Provide expert advice with a view to implementing OHCHR’s policy on promoting and protecting women’s rights and gender equality, including supporting the implementation of the recommendations of human rights mechanisms. • Conduct research, develop programmes and provide analytical and expert advice and input into the plans and activities of the Office with regards to women’s rights and gender – in particular, in connection with the integration of a human rights perspective into activities designed to increase women’s participation in decision-making and on women’s rights and development. • Provide guidance and expertise in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects, training programmes, organizational instruments and tools including for advisory services and technical cooperation programmes and in general provide guidance in supporting integration of women’s rights and gender in human rights activities at the country level. • Provide guidance on the integration of women’s rights and a gender perspective in human rights activities at the country and regional level, and with the UNCTs in the Middle East and North Africa region. • Contribute to and prepare reports for the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Human Rights Council, relating to issues of women’s rights and gender in the West African region. • Coordinate and establish working relationships with counterparts of the UN system, other international organizations and national organisations including national human rights institutions, civil society organisations and governments on women and gender issues. • Brief the representatives of the above-mentioned entities and provide, as appropriate, suggestions and recommendations). • Deliver capacity building including training on gender and women’s rights and relevant international human rights mechanisms to stakeholders. • Contribute to the production of monthly reports to WARO and the WHRGS. • Participate in WARO’s activities and perform other related tasks as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: In-depth knowledge of a broad range of international human rights issues, including knowledge of gender and women’s rights. Ability to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex problems. Knowledge of international human rights instruments and knowledge of women’s human rights instruments; demonstrated ability to analyse accurately proposed norms and policies for compliance with international human rights standards; ability to relate human rights issues and perspectives to gender and women’s issues, and to relate political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in the West African region. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: 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. 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, human rights, political science or international relations, or other related disciplines. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience in gender and women’s human rights is required. Experience working on human rights issues in the West African region is required. Experience conducting research, developing programmes and providing analytical advice and inputs in human rights reports is desirable. Experience in gender equality issues in the context of development planning, poverty reduction and access to justice is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in both English and French is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) MONTHS, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION – SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. • If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as « retirement. » Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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.
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.
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