REPRESENTATIVE, HUMAN RIGHTS (Regional Representative) (Temp…

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This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Regional Office in South Africa, Pretoria. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division and the Chief of Africa Branch, and in coordination with the Chief of Africa Section I, the incumbent will represent the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Representative, Human Rights (Regional Representative) will be responsible for the following duties: • Follows human rights developments in the region, with a view to providing the High Commissioner with advice on human rights situations in countries of the region, and alerts the High Commissioner through the Africa Branch to any early-warning signs of serious human rights crises in the region in order for him/her to take appropriate action within his mandate. • In line with human rights mainstreaming mechanisms established under the UNDG, develops strategic relationships with the UN Country Teams of the region, advising and lending support as required, especially within the framework of the human rights based approach and human rights based planning and programming, coordination mechanisms and inter-agency cooperation. • As a member of the UN Country Team, develops, widens and enhances OHCHR’s network of partners and contacts in the region to provide human rights advice and support the Resident Coordinator and UN partner agencies, as required. • Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan, and supervises the timely delivery of outputs specified in the work-plans of country desk officers and teams, and administrative matters, including the best use of human and financial resources in accordance with priorities and workload. • Advises on strategic interventions, including country visits by special procedures mandate holders in the region, as appropriate and generally follows up on the recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights for the countries of the region, in close cooperation with UNCTs, in countries that do not have an OHCHR field presence. • Manages the Regional Office of the OHCHR, including supervision, development and training of international and national staff; sets performance objectives and undertakes regular review of performance. • Represents OHCHR on human rights matters in meetings at national, regional and international levels. • Designs, develops and implements significant policies and programs to address regional human rights issues and to assist governments in identifying and specifying their needs for advisory services and technical cooperation, including through the preparation and conduct of assessment missions. • Promotes the ratification and implementation of international human rights mechanisms and support activities of these, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes. • Engages with regional intergovernmental organizations, civil society, national human rights institutions and media for the promotion of the respect and protection of human rights. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and exposure to the full range of human rights issues, in particular with regard to national protection systems, and human rights mainstreaming; Knowledge of institutional mandates and international standards pertaining to human rights; Knowledge of the region, including its human rights and political situation; Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion in advising on and handling major issues and problems; Knowledge of mainstreaming human rights in development and humanitarian assistance; Knowledge of the programming and planning tools and frameworks, such as the Common Country Assessment/United Nations Development Assistance Framework and Consolidated Appeal Process/Common Humanitarian Action Plan; Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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; and 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 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. 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. VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, or relevant related disciplines 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

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field at national and international levels is required. Experience in developing, implementing and coordinating strategies related to human rights is required. Experience working in the region of deployment is required. Field experience in an OHCHR field presence or human rights component of a UN operation, or similar experience in the field of human rights is desirable. Experience in managing teams is also desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

THE 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, 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.

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.

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