Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Human Rights, Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Service of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The position is located in Tripoli, Libya. Tripoli is classified as a Hardship “E” duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of the Principal Human Rights Officer.

On 28 October 2022, the Security Council, by its resolution 2656 (2022) extended the mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 31 October 2023, as set out in resolution 2542 (2020) and paragraph 16 of resolution 2570 (2021). The Security Council, in resolution 2542 (2020), tasked UNSMIL, as an integrated special political mission, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and through its good offices to: (i) further an inclusive political process and security and economic dialogue; (ii) further the continued implementation of the Libya Political Agreement; (iii) help consolidate the governance, security and economic arrangements of the Government of Libya, including support for economic reform in collaboration with international financial institutions; (iv) help to achieve a ceasefire and, provide appropriate support to its implementation; (v) support subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process, including the constitutional process and the organisation of elections; (vi) coordinate and engage closely with international actors including neighboring countries and regional organisations; (vii) provide support to key Libyan institutions; (viii) support, on request, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with humanitarian principles; (ix) monitor and report abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence in conflict, notably through the effective deployment of women and child protection advisers; (x) provide support in securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (xi) co-ordinate international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to Government-led efforts to stabilise post-conflict zones, including those liberated from Da’esh. The Security Council, through resolution 2570 (2021), tasked UNSMIL to provide support to the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism including through the facilitation of confidence-building measures and the scalable and incremental deployment of UNSMIL ceasefire monitors.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

– Plans and coordinates activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, including from a gender perspective.
– Conducts field monitoring and verification work through regular visits; follows up on different cases and situations in region of assignment.
– Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country; works with a variety of human rights actors, including civil society organizations, national institutions governments and UN agencies in advancing human rights in the country.
– Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
– Establishes or strengthens national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up (NMRF), and on the National Human Rights Index (NHRI) and the National Recommendations and Tracking Database (NRTD); coordinates and supervises the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database; conducts quality control as required.
– Researches, collects and analyses information and documentation pertaining to human rights, international humanitarian as required by the mandate.
– Contributes to the integration of human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, into political, humanitarian, and economic efforts and programmes.
– Works with other components of the UN peace operation, including the police and military, to integrate human rights considerations into the planning and review of their programs and operations, including through developing procedures and policies, as appropriate.
– Contributes to a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
– Contributes to the integration of human rights in humanitarian action, through participating in emergency preparedness and response activities as appropriate. Designs, delivers, coordinates, and evaluates human rights training programmes for national officials, armed groups, civil society representatives, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national stakeholders;
– Assists in the coordination and implementation of the human rights work plan; evaluates or assists in the evaluation of its progress and suggests adjustments as needed;
– Represents the office at working level meetings. May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
– Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism:
Ability to gather, evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and devising the types of interventions needed to address human rights concerns. Knowledge of relevant human rights standards and exposure to a range of human rights issues including approaches and techniques to address sensitive and complex human rights problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to train authorities and civil society organizations in investigating, reporting and advocacy. Ability to relate human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes. 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.

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.

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.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in law, human rights, political science, international relations, social sciences or 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights field or closely related areas is required, of which at least half should be in human rights.

A minimum of two (2) years of human rights monitoring, reporting is required.

Experience in human rights protection, including through engaging with military and police for the protection of civilians, child protection and or sexual gender-based violence is required.

Relevant experience in the Middle East or North-Africa region is required.

Experience in capacity building activities for the protection and promotion of human rights is desirable.

A minimum of two (2) years of 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.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency/proficiency in Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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.

• 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.

United Nations Considerations

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

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.