Human Rights Officer, P-4 - United Nations - Ashkabad, Turkmenistan

Deadline for Applications: 25 Oct 2012

Date of Issuance: 25 Sep 2012

Organizational Unit: The United Nations Regional Centre For Preventive Diplomacy For Central Asia

Duty Station: Ashkabad

Vacancy Announcement Number: 12-Hri-Unrcca-425845-R-Ashkabad

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities Reporting to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG)/Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) and to the Chief of the Europe and Central Asia Section within the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, the Human Rights Officer: Plans, implements, reviews, monitors, and evaluates human rights aspects of the activities of the Regional Centre; In consultation with the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), bearing in mind the mandate of the Regional Centre, and under the substantive guidance of OHCHR, is responsible for developing the program of activities and work plan of the Centre in the area of human rights related to preventive diplomacy; Where appropriate and with a view to UNRCCA’s mandate, works with relevant national authorities, the private sector and civil society to build national capacity to effectively implement international human rights obligations and recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council and promote respect for human rights in Central Asia; Liaises with Human Rights Officers in UN Country Teams in Central Asia to ensure, where possible, complementariness of HR efforts of the Regional Centre, including on gender-related issues; Where appropriate, participates in fact-finding and other missions to countries within the assigned area of responsibility; Provides up-to-date information to the SRSG and to OHCHR regarding human rights matters relevant to the Centre’s preventive diplomacy mandate and recommends appropriate actions; Reports regularly to the SRSG and OHCHR on human rights developments relevant to the Centre’s mandate, and provides ad hoc reports as appropriate; Where appropriate and in liaison with in-country Human Rights Officers, assists in the organisation of visits by Human Rights Council Special Procedures and other international human rights mechanisms; Maintains contact with other sectors of the UN, regional organisations, and governments on coordination and policy matters; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM - Knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex problems in political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic environments; knowledge of preventive diplomacy as a tool in international relations; ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region of assignment, including the political environment as they pertain to human rights. 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. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human rights, law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area. Knowledge of and working experience in Central Asia is highly desirable. Proven track record in establishing working relations with governments in Central Asia is highly desirable. Sound knowledge of UN rules and procedures is also desirable. United Nations experience, in particular field experience with a United Nations peacekeeping or special political mission.

Languages Fluency in English and Russian (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional language of Central Asia or another official UN language is an advantage.

Other Skills Must be mobile and able to undertake frequent travel in the mission area and beyond. A valid driver’s license is required.

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).   English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.  The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: staffing@un.org, Fax: 1-212-963-2800 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.