This position is located in the Human Rights Council and Treaties Mechanisms Division (HRCTMD) of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva. The Director of HRCTMD reports to the High Commissioner for Human Rights and is under the direct guidance of the Deputy High Commissioner. HRCTMD comprises three branches respectively responsible for relations with and organization of the work of the Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB), the Human Rights Treaties Branch (HRTB) and organization of the Universal Periodic Review processes (UPRB).
ResponsibilitiesUnder the general supervision of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and direct guidance by the Deputy High Commissioner, the incumbent is responsible for directing and managing the work of the Human Rights Council and Special Procedures Division. S/he will be responsible for the following duties:
- Directs and manages the Human Rights Council and Treaties Mechanisms Division. Formulates, implements, leads and supervises the substantive work programme of the Division determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
- Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division and ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinates the work of the Division and the Office, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, Member States, donors and agencies as appropriate.
- Provides leadership to the development of innovative and change management programmes and develops strategies to improve the delivery of service by the Division.
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards, that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Division meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
- Oversees the managerial tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including participation in OHCHR planning and evaluation processes, preparation of strategic plans/budgets. reporting on programme/budget performance, overseeing staff selection processes and evaluation of staff performance (PAS). Provides guidance, support, supervision and performance evaluation to senior staff of the Division.
- Ensures coordination between the three Branches to reinforce complementarity and ensures coordination and linkages with the work or other Divisions.
- Contributes to the formulation of the Office’s overall strategies and policies by participating in the various committees, including the Senior Management Team and the Programme Budget Review Board, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting as the principal advisor to the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner on issue relating to the work of the Division, especially with regard to the Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review and treaty bodies, contributes to the overall management of the Office's activities and operations.
- Provides authoritative advice and guidance to senior management and staff of OHCHR on issues dealt with by the Division.
- Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to Intergovernmental bodies such as the Human Rights Council, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate, and represents the Division at meetings of treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council and other relevant meetings.
- Reports to intergovernmental bodies on programme performance or on programmatic / substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in the biannual and or annual reports.
- Represents the High Commissioner or Deputy High Commissioner, carries out activities upon their request.
- Chairs meetings, seminars, etc., on substantive-related issues, and holds programmatic / substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other Institutions, as well as liaison with Member States; participates, on behalf of OHCHR, In task forces of the Secretariat and other in house coordination mechanisms, especially on the Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, treaty bodies, thematic issues and country engagement.
- Performs other related duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM: Good knowledge of the promotion and protection of human rights; capacity to conceptualize, prioritize and translate organizational vision into action; ability to guide the development of normative work and the production of reports and papers on human rights issues; ability to review and edit the work of others. Proven knowledge of management techniques and experience in their applications. Proven track record of excellent management and technical leadership skills. 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.
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.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: 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.
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.
BUILDING TRUST: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.
Advanced university degree (Master`s degree or equivalent degree) in law, human rights, political science, international relations or related area 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 ExperienceOver fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, or closely related field is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience at the senior level in an international or regional organization is required.
Demonstrated successful experience in managing and leading teams in large multicultural institutions/organisations is required.
Proven experience in managing strategic programme planning processes in an international or regional organization is required.
Experience in providing policy advice to high-level officials, preferably in the field of human rights, is highly desirable.
Field experience is also desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is highly desirable. Knowledge of an additional UN official language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeStaff 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.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2019, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.
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.
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.