Senior Human Rights Adviser, P5 at United Nations

Job Opening Number: 21-Human Rights Affairs-OHCHR-165506-R-Abuja (X)
Department / Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Staffing Exercise: N/A

Organization Setting and Reporting

• This position is located in the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinators (UNRC) in Nigeria (Abuja).
• The incumbent reports to the UN Resident Coordinator and to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights through the Chief of the Africa Branch, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in close cooperation with the OHCHR Regional Representatives for West Africa in Dakar.

Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), and the functional support and guidance of the OHCHR, the Senior Human Rights Adviser (HRA) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supports the UNRC and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in integrating human rights into their programmes and activities, in particular the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and other key strategic planning tools, including by building UNCT capacities to apply a human rights-based approach to their programmes and activities, conducting situational assessments and a mapping of UNCT capacities and needs, facilitating country level coordination and acting as a resource person in programme activities implemented by the UNCT;
• Advises the UNRC and the UNCT in developing strategies and programmes to build and strengthen national capacities and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, based on assessment of national context, capacities and priorities and facilitate access to specific human rights expertise, including by drawing from human rights resources and tools available;
• Supports the UNRC and the UNCT in promoting human rights as a common UN value and upholding international norms and standards through advocacy and awareness-raising;
• Where applicable, advises on integrating human rights in the humanitarian response and post-crisis recovery under the direction of the RC/Humanitarian Coordinator, should a humanitarian emergency be declared in the country of assignment and provision of support and advice to the Protection Cluster as requested;
• Supports the UNRC and UNCT and national partners in their engagement with international human rights mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, as well as those under relevant international instruments of specialized agencies, including by supporting the dissemination and sharing of information, Coordinating or facilitating the UNCT's contributions and programmatic follow up to the recommendations of these bodies, and helping the UNCT to provide timely and effective support to relevant country missions of Special Procedures mandate holders and other UN mechanisms;
• Upon request, and under the direct supervision and guidance of the UNRC, provides advice, training and technical assistance to the Government and other national stakeholders with a view to further catalyzing coordinated UN responses in order to strengthen national capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights, including follow up to recommendations from the human rights mechanisms;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in Law, Political Science, International Relations or related field is required. A first-level University Degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience at the national and international levels in the field of human rights, with development and/or humanitarian experience, is required.
• Experience working in the African region is desirable.
• Experience on economic, social and cultural rights, including in programming, is desirable.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• 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.

Leadership:

• Serves as a role model that other people want to follow.
• Empowers others to translate vision into results.
• Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support.
• Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions.
• Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo.
• Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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.

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.

Judgement / Decision Making:

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly.
• Gathers relevant information before making a decision.
• Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them.
• Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization.
• Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information.
• Checks assumptions against facts.
• Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision.
• Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment:

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

Special Notice

• Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds.
• Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
• 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.