Under the overall supervision of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and direct supervision of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Rule of Law (DSRSG), and with
the substantive support and guidance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the incumbent will perform the following main functions as Head of the Human Rights and Protection Section:
Advisory and Representative role:
• Act as the Principal Adviser to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and report on issues related to human rights, including investigation of human rights violations , the fight against impunity, violence committed against children and women, protection of civilians, the implementation of recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and other activities related to the work of the human rights component;
• Act as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Liberia, and report to the High Commissioner in Geneva on issues related to human rights, including in particular those identified above;
• Represent the human rights component and OHCHR at interagency meetings at country level and advise UN Country Team (UNCT) and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), as appropriate, to ensure human rights and a human rights based approach are fully integrated into political, humanitarian and development efforts, including with respect to the United Nations Development Assistance and Integrated Strategic Frameworks (UNDAF and ISF), the Consolidated (Humanitarian) Appeal (CAP/CHAP) processes, as well as the national Poverty Reduction Strategy Process (PRSP);
• Represent the mission and OHCHR on human rights matters during contacts with national and international organisations working in the field of human rights, diplomatic missions, donors and other international actors;
• Participate in the mission’s internal policy and decision-making processes including the Leadership Management Team (MLT) and advice on policy, strategic and operational decisions that may have human rights implications, including on the transition phase of UNMIL and peacebuilding priorities;
• Participate in the senior management meetings and inform its participants on the activities of the human rights component and recommend measures necessary or desirable for other components of the mission to better protect and promote human rights in Liberia and to implement a human rights based approach;
• Advise the mission in the development of a comprehensive strategy for the protection of civilians.
Substantive coordination:
• Ensure the regular and timely issuance of human rights public reports in consultation with OHCHR and the SRSG and of other relevant internal reports, including to OHCHR;
• Ensure quality and standards with regard to human rights monitoring , investigation, verification, and reporting are met and in compliance with established monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements, as relevant;
• Ensure appropriate liaison with Liberian authorities at national, state and local levels and ensure they are provided with regular updates on the human rights, justice and transitional justice situation;
• Oversee the provision of support to the Independent National Commission on Human Rights to fulfil its mandate, including its role in implementing recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission;
• Contribute to promoting transitional justice mechanisms and national reconciliation in compliance with international human rights standards and principals;
• Participate in the planning and carrying of mission’s response for the protection of civilians and, in this regard, provide support to the Government to ensure compliance with its obligations, including through, inter alia, taking into account relevant provisions of SC resolutions on conflict related-sexual violence in judicial, rule of law and security sector reforms, the strengthening of State institutions and the appropriate training of the judicial, rule of law and security forces on international human rights law and standards;
• Assist the Government of Liberia, in close coordination with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes and other components of the mission, in its efforts to promote and protect human rights, with special attention to sexual and gender-based violence committed against children and women, including by supporting the implementation of the national action plan for the implementation of the SC resolutions on women and peace and security and the provision of technical advice, training and education to build the capacity of institutions and civil society;
• Contribute to ensuring compliance with the UN commitment to mainstream human rights and integrate gender perspective s and specific women/girls’ rights issues in all the activities of the mission, in cooperation with the Gender Advisor;
• Maintain close liaison with UN counterparts in neighboring countries with regard to developments that can affect the observance of the human rights in the mission area;
• Ensure, as OHCHR Representative, that human rights considerations are reflected and integrated in humanitarian activities, including in emergency planning, preparedness and response, and through participating in and/or playing a lead role in the work of the Protection Cluster, as appropriate;
• Contribute to the fulfillment of UN Special Procedures mandate holders and ensure provision of substantive support to the various United Nations human rights mechanisms;
• Ensure the provision of support to the Government, civil society and the United Nations Country Team for the implementation of recommendations derived from the Universal Periodic Review process.
Managerial responsibilities:-
• Responsible for the overall management of the component and the provision of substantive leadership, through, inter-alia, formulating a human rights strategy and the substantive program of work of the office;allocating resources; reporting on budget/programme performance; evaluating staff performance and ensuring appropriate staffing of the component;
• Ensure and demonstrate commitment to build the component’s staff competencies, particularly of national staff, to facilitate future transition of responsibilities;
• Support forward planning by the UN system and national counterparts to meet medium and longer-term human rights needs in Liberia;
• Ensure the component collects and analyses information from across the Mission, maintains an updated and functioning human rights database and information management system; the set-up of quality control mechanisms; and the timely and quality entry of data into the database;
• Responsible for the planning, management and implementation of OHCHR-funded projects in Liberia, in accordance with approved OHCHR biennial plans;
• Maintain close liaison with OHCHR-HQ and New York liaison Office, timely communications on the human rights situation with geographical desk officers, and appropriate liaise with the human rights treaty monitoring bodies and special procedures;
• Perform other duties as required by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and by the HC/OHCHR.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism
• Excellent knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights and justice, including gender issues, the rules governing their protection and the mechanisms available in case of their violations;
• Familiarity with the realities of crisis and post-crisis countries;
• Capacity to relate to and integrate human rights issues and perspectives into other fields – humanitarian action, development, rule of law, legislation reforms and vice versa;
• Ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and stressful environment, with a minimum of comfort and in precarious security conditions;
• Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion;
• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations.
Leadership
• Proven ability to provide effective leadership and transfer advice and knowledge to stakeholders and staff at all levels;
• Ability to translate the mandate into strategic operational goals.
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.
Empowering others
• Encourages others to set challenging goals;
• Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;
• Genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise;
• Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and efforts; Involves others when making decisions that affect them.
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.
Managerial Performance
• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority;
• Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member;
• Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines;
• Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff;
• Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative;
• Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff;
• Appraises performance fairly.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in law, political sciences, international relations , social sciences or other discipline, preferably with specialisation in human rights.
• A relevant combination of university degree, professional training and experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience
• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience acquired at national and international levels in the field of human rights, justice and the rule of law, including in a crisis or post-conflict environment and in the development and implementation of capacity building programmes, with at least 5 years of management, leadership and supervisory experience, including of teams.
• Proven experience in public speaking and working with senior governmental officials.
• Knowledge and understanding of gender concept and methodologies and on women/girl’s rights issues. Previous experience working in the UN is required.
Languages
Fluency in oral and written English is required.
Other Skills
Experience in United Nations Peacekeeping mission is an asset. Experience working in Africa in crisis context is an asset.
How to apply:
The reference number of the vacancy announcement is 12-HRI-UNMIL-425687-R-MONROVIA. To apply, please submit your application through Galaxy website at: jobs.un.org
Closing Date: Thursday, 17 May 2012