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Job Opening
Posting Title:
Director, Human Rights, D2
Job Code Title:
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS
Department/ Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Duty Station:
GENEVA
Posting Period:
1 September 2015-1 October 2015
Job Opening number: 15-HRI-OHCHR-47619-D-GENEVA (R)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
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Special Notice
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.
An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
All staff at the D2 level and above are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon
appointment and annually thereafter.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Human Rights Council Mechanisms Division (HRCMD) of the Office of the
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Director of HRCMD reports to the High
Commissioner for Human Rights and is under the direct guidance of the Deputy High Commissioner.
HRCMD comprises three branches respectively responsible for relations with and organization of the
work of the Human Rights Council (HRCB), support and facilitation of the work of Special Procedures of
the HRC (SPB) and organization of the Universal Periodic Review processes (UPRB).
Responsibilities
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Under 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 is responsible for the following duties:
- Formulate, implement, lead and supervise the substantive work programme of the Division determining
priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
- Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Division and ensure that programmed
activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinate the work in the Branches of the Division and
the Office at large, and with the HRC Bureau, other UN Departments, Organizations of the United
Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
- Provide leadership to the development of innovative and change management programmes and
develop strategies to improve the delivery of service by the Division.
- Ensure that the outputs produced and activities carried out by the Division maintain high quality
standards, that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensure that all outputs
produced by the Division meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the
relevant mandates and requests of the High Commissioner.
– Oversee the managerial tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of
strategic plans, budgets, reporting on programme/budget performance, evaluation of staff performance
(e-performance), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of
inputs for results-based budgeting. Provide guidance, support, supervision and performance evaluation
to senior staff of the Branches and ensure provision of same to other support staff.
- Ensure coordination between the Branches to reinforce complementarity and ensure coordination and
linkages with the work of other Divisions.
- Contribute to the formulation of the Office's overall strategies and policies by participating in the various
committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting as the principal advisor to the High
Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner on issues relating to the work of the Division, contribute
to the overall management of the Office's activities and operations.
- Provide authoritative advice and guidance to senior management and staff of OHCHR on issues dealt
with by the Division.
- Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such
as the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
- Report to intergovernmental bodies on programme performance or on programmatic / substantive
issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in the biannual and /or annual reports.
- Chair meetings, seminars, etc., on thematic human-rights issues, and hold programmatic/substantive
and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions as well as liaison with Member
States.
- Represent the High Commissioner at various international conferences and talks at academic
institutions.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Competencies
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PROFESSIONALISM: Good knowledge of and experience in 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.
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 ORGANISING: 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master`s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science,
international relations or related area. 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
Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, humanitarian action or
related area, of which at least five is at the senior level. Experience in interactions with the Member
States and/or UN governance or expert bodies, and experience in managing and leading teams in large
multicultural institutions/organisations are required. Field experience is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post
advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another
official UN language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by
competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
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Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well
as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of
efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for
international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these
standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed
criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United
Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). 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 At-a-Glance on "The Application
Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking
on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening
on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job
opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications,
including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that
submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration
for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the
information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under
serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the
information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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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