Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Human Rights and Gender Section of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Human Rights and Gender Section, the incumbent will report to the Human Rights Officer (P4) in New York, with an additional reporting line to the UNOCT Regional Programme Coordinator in Bangkok. The incumbent will work closely with the Joint Programme’s Coordinator in Manila, and the other participating United Nations organizations (OHCHR, UNODC and UNESCO).

The focus of this position is to support the implementation of the “UN Joint Programme on Technical cooperation and capacity-building for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines (2021 – 2024)”. The Joint Programme is aimed at implementing Human Rights Council resolution 45/33 by providing cohesive approaches that address the main human rights challenges facing the country. The Programme is implemented under the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, and in partnership with OHCHR, UNODC, UNESCO, UNOCT, as well as national authorities and civil society organizations. The Programme is built around six areas of engagement, namely: 1) strengthening domestic investigative and accountability mechanisms; 2) improved data gathering on alleged police violations; 3) civic space and engagement with civil society and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines; 4) strengthening the national mechanism for reporting and follow-up; 5) human rights-based approach to drug control; 6) human rights-based approach to counter-terrorism. The primary focus of this position will be to support the implementation of the component on human rights-based approach to counter-terrorism.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

Responsibilities

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

• Supports UNOCT’s role in the implementation of the UN Joint Programme on Technical cooperation and capacity-building for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines (2021 – 2024), with particular emphasis on the workstream focused on Human Rights-Based Approach to counter-terrorism, implemented by UNOCT, UNODC and OHCHR.
• Plans and coordinates activities related to incorporating human rights in counter terrorism, including from a gender perspective.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation.
• Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators including gender-specific data and indicators.
• Ensures human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into the UN Joint Programme on Technical cooperation and capacity-building for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines.
• Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Represents UN Joint Programme on Technical cooperation and capacity-building for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines at working level meetings. Establishes and maintains a regular channel of communication with the Joint Programme’s partners, including the participating United Nations organizations, government officials, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines and civil society organizations. Assists with the organization of Technical Working Group Meetings, Project Steering Committee Meetings, briefings to donors and other development partners, and other meetings as necessary
• Contributes to capacity-building efforts on human rights in region/country of assignment.
• Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
• May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Knowledge of UN efforts to ensure respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as a fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism. Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyze information and draft human rights reports. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the Philippines. 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.

• Planning& 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.

Education

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

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.

Experience working with government officials and civil society organizations on human rights issues is required.

Experience delivering human rights-related technical assistance is required.

Experience in counter-terrorism and/or conflict-prevention/peacebuilding matters is desirable.

Experience working in Asia and knowledge of the regional and local dynamics, including relevant international or regional organizations, national authorities and their institutional mandates is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required . Fluency in Tagalog (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2023, with the possibility of extension, subject to funding availability.

• The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.