This position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (OASG) of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS). The incumbent will be based in multiple duty stations (Beledweyne, Jowhar and Kismayo), Somalia, and report to the Programme Management Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer at this level will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Researches, collects, verifies, analyzes and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights, including from open sources; 2. Reaches out to various UN actors to collect and analyze information of relevance to human rights; 3. Advocates with relevant authorities and other influential actors to stop or prevent human rights violations; Seeks remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future; 4. Liaises with appropriate national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to monitor developments in the human rights situation and, if needed, supports the creation of baseline data; 5. Monitors the legal systems and their compliance with international human rights instruments and, where appropriate, advises relevant authorities, including on the implementation of recommendations by UN human rights bodies; 6. Develops and, where appropriate, coordinates initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses, including in relation to conflict-related sexual violence; 7. Conducts, and where necessary supervises, investigations of human rights and international humanitarian law violations; 8. Drafts, reviews as appropriate, and ensures timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other types of communications in compliance with established standards; 9. Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area; 10. Contributes to the mainstreaming of human rights in the formulation and implementation of projects and programmes of the UN peace mission and UN agencies at country and local level; 11. Represents the UN human rights programme at working-level meetings; 12. Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating or coordinating emergency preparedness and response activities, including in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate; 13. Works directly with other UN peace operation components/sections, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs and operations; 14. Supports and coordinates human rights capacity building efforts for civil society and state authorities, including military and police, to promote the protection of human rights, including through providing technical assistance; 15. Supports national authorities in their implementation and coordination of activities relating to the recommendations by UN Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and other mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council; 16. Designs, as appropriate, delivers and evaluates human rights training programmes for national officials/ civil society representatives, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national stakeholders; 17. Contributes to the establishment of transitional justice dialogues or processes and advises national counterparts on accountability and compensation mechanisms/ as appropriate; 18. Provides technical assistance to national authorities on the establishment of vetting mechanisms, as mandated; 19. Ensures, and where relevant supervises, the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database in compliance with established standards; 20. Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls' rights issues in all activities and for the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; 21. Integrates UN developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting and investigation activities; 22. Ensures cooperation and appropriate communication with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the establishment of policies and sharing of best practices; 23. Represents the human rights component in decision-making fora at the working level; 24. Maintains effective working relationships with other UN and non-UN actors, national authorities, donors and other stakeholders for effective policy coordination; 25. Defines the work plan for an assigned geographic area in accordance with established terms of reference; 26. Manages or supports the management of technical cooperation projects; 27. Supports more senior staff and/or team leaders in staffing, planning and budgeting as required; 28. Provides guidance and coaching to new or more junior staff; 29. Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights principles and practices, expertise in a rights-based approach in a humanitarian context/ post conflict environment, research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues, ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment. 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. 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. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences, or in a 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.

Job - Specific QualificationNot available.Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field or closely related areas, of which at least half should be in human rights is required. A minimum of one (1) year of human rights monitoring, reporting is required. Experience in the conducting of human rights investigations is desirable. Experience in capacity building activities for the protection and promotion of human rights is desirable. Experience providing services in the field of Human Rights to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Somali is 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).

All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.