ASSISTANT HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Assistant Human Rights Officer will be based in the UNAMA Regional Office in Mazar-e-Sharif, under the guidance and supervision of the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Assistant Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Assists and contributes to the planning, coordination and implementation of activities related to the UNAMA human rights mandate, including from a gender perspective, inter alia, protection of civilians, right to life, liberty and integrity; fundamental freedoms; issues related to the rights of women, children, persons deprived of their liberty, civic space, human rights defenders, media workers and other vulnerable groups; and monitoring of the economic, social and cultural rights situation of the Mission area; Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls' rights issues in all activities and to the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; Assists in researching, collecting, verifying, analyzing and synthesizing significant amounts of information, including from open sources, of relevance to human rights in the Mission area; Integrates UN-developed methodology in the human rights monitoring, reporting and investigation activities; Assists in liaising with appropriate local de facto authorities, civil society, UN agencies, funds and programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant stakeholders, to monitor developments in the human rights situation; Assists in the development of initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses; Assists in the fact-finding process of international human rights, and international humanitarian, law violations; Verifies and ensures the timely entry of human rights violations cases into existing databases, in compliance with established standards; Where feasible, plans, coordinates, and carries out detention monitoring visits to detention centres including but not limited to de facto Police and Intelligence facilities, Provincial Prisons, and the Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres (JRC); Assists with the collection and analysis of data based on human rights monitoring, as well as the preparation of data presentations and reports using data visualisation methods, for situational awareness, information-sharing, responding to queries, knowledge-management, planning, and decision-making; Drafts and provides inputs to variety of products – including reports, briefings and other types of communications on human rights matters – in compliance with established standards; Participates in the formulation of meaningful recommendations and strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the Mission area; Participates in the mainstreaming of human rights in the formulation and implementation of the UN peace mission and UN agencies, funds and programmes activities at country or local levels; Interacts with other UN peace operation components/sections, including Political Affairs and Public Information, to integrate human rights considerations in their respective activities; Interacts with UN agencies, funds and programmes operating in the Mission area for information-sharing and to integrate human rights considerations in their respective activities; Assists in supporting human rights discussions and dialogue with de facto authorities, civil society and other stakeholders on relevant international human rights norms and standards; Assists in the design, delivery and evaluation of human rights awareness-raising seminars / programmes for de facto authorities, civil society and other stakeholders; Organises and participates in field missions, aimed at implementing the UN peace operation’s human rights mandate. Translates documents and interprets at meetings. Performs other related duties, as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of international human rights law standards and international humanitarian law. Good research and analytical skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources, assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment, and identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, analyse information and draft human rights reports. 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.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. Listen 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. 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. EducationAn advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, humanities, or similar fields is required. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceOne to two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, social work, legal affairs or a closely related field is required. Experience working with national and/or international human rights standards, instruments and/or mechanisms is required. Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting, and in raising awareness and building capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights, is required. Previous experience in project management is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Dari and Pashto are desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).