Human Rights Officer, Kampala

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 02 Aug 2009
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
DUTY STATION: Kampala
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 09-HRI-OHCHR-421162-R-KAMPALA
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.External candidates, if selected, will be granted appointments limited to service to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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


United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities
This post is to be found in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kampala, under the direct supervision of the Chief of Office. The Officer's main tasks and responsibilities will be to:Assist in the liaison, coordination and follow-up of all human rights activities of OHCHR Uganda with the concerned Government authorities, national institutions, donors, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and programmes Organize training seminars and workshops for relevant partners, including Government authorities, UN agencies and programmes and NGOs relating to Uganda’s international human rights treaty obligations and follow-up to treaty body recommendations, human rights reporting and advocacy.Act as OHCHR Uganda’s focal point on Gender equality and women’s rights and ensure the integration of gender perspectives and attention to specific women/girl's rights issues within all human rights activitiesAct as a liaison officer to the Uganda Police Force and Uganda People Defence Force supporting the Office’s capacity building strategy. Represent OHCHR Uganda in working level meetings with authorities, UN agencies and NGOsSupport national level structures for the promotion and protection of human rightsParticipate, as appropriate, on behalf of OHCHR Uganda, in various meetings, consultations and negotiations with all relevant partners and support human rights promotion/mainstreaming activities carried out by other UN agencies, national and international NGOsAssist in the coordination of and provide timely submissions of OHCHR’s monthly and other relevant reports to OHCHR Geneva and inter-governmental organizations, in accordance with OHCHR Uganda’s mandateUndertake travel within the country, as requiredCarry out administrative and logistical tasks as requested by the Head of OfficeAssist the Head of Office in other assignments, as required.

Competencies
Professionalism: Good knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive problems. Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights. Ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender, social, economic, etc, causing civil unrest in a country or geographic area; good analytical and research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in assigned region/country. Sound knowledge and understanding of UN human rights instruments and procedures essential.Communication: Good communication (spoken, written and presentational) skills, including the ability to produce a variety of written reports in a clear, concise style to external audiences, to build/maintain effective partnerships. Planning and Organizing: Ability to establish priorities and to plan work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines, preparing expenditure requests and monitoring expenditure against budget allocation. Teamwork: Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Accountability: Monitoring progress and reporting to the Unit Coordinator taking action to minimize delays, identifying and drawing to management attention potential cost overruns and underspends.Technology awareness: Good computer skills, including proficiency in word processing.
QUALIFICATIONS

Education
Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in law, political science, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights.

Work Experience
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in field and/or headquarters locations at national and international levels in the human rights and/or international law field. Experience of building the capacity of NGOs and other civil society actors and of working with donor agencies is desirable.

Languages
Fluency in English, with excellent communication skills and drafting ability. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset.

Other Skills


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 reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.

E-mail: hrms@unog.ch,

Fax: 41-22-917- 0074