Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located within the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). Pursuant to Security Council resolution 2793 (2025), UNSOH has been mandated to provide support; primarily to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the Haitian National Police (HNP), and the Haitian Armed Forces in the context of any joint operations with the GSF. Additionally, UNSOH is tasked with delivering technical assistance to the Organization of American States (OAS).
This position is located within the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDDP) Unit in the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH). The Human Rights Officer will be based in Port-au-Prince and reports to the head of the HRDDP Unit. The Human Rights Officer will act as the deputy team leader within the HRDDP Unit.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: General: Lead and coordinate the monitoring of the implementation of human rights and international humanitarian law and ensure appropriate follow-up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms, including treaty bodies, the UPR, special procedures and investigative findings, to support compliance with human rights and advance accountability.
Coordinate and manage the collection, documentation, and quality control of evidence-based information on civil, cultural, economic, social and/or political rights, including the right to development, to support early warning, accountability and informed decision-making, identifying gaps and ensuring the proper handling and sharing of human rights data, including from gender and leave no one behind perspectives.
Formulates recommendations and suggests strategies to better promote and protect human rights in the mission area relevant to the context of UNSOH support to non-United Nations security forces Provide support to the work with BINUH and other non-United Nation entities, including through developing procedures and policies and the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, as appropriate
Plans, designs, implements and evaluates strategies for the mainstreaming of human rights in the activities of the advocates for the integration of human rights in these programs, including within the framework of the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy
Contributes to advocacy strategies, advocates and advises relevant authorities, including State officials, the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), UN and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) senior management, on strategies to better protect and promote human rights in line with UNSOH mandate
Establishes and maintains contact with national authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, Funds, and Programmes with complementary mandates, and other relevant partners to inform on the human rights situation in the mission area and advise on strategic and policy issues to better protect and promote human rights in line with UNSOH mandate Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls' rights issues in all activities, programmes and strategies
Facilitates cooperation and appropriate communication with OHCHR in the establishment of policies and sharing of best practices Represents HRDDP Unit in decision making fora as appropriate Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other UN and non-UN actors, state authorities, donors and other stakeholders for effective policy coordination Contributes to promote coordination among all human rights related mandates present in the mission area Analyses and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights, including from open sources
Reaches out to various UN actors to collect and analyse information of relevance to human rights in the context of UNSOH mandate Assists in the development, coordination and implementation of the HRDDP Unit work plan Evaluates or assists in the evaluation of its progress and suggests adjustments as needed Provides support to the team leader in carrying out, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staffing, planning and budgeting Trains, coaches and supervises new and junior staff, manages their performance, and assists in training needs assessments.
Human Rights Monitoring, Reporting and Field Coordination: Contributes to the coordination and conducts human rights monitoring activities in compliance with United Nations methodology and practice under the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy and relevant to the observance of international human rights and humanitarian in the mission area able to monitor and support compliance with the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy
Establishes, as needed, baseline data for the appropriate monitoring of the human rights situation in the mission area in the context of UNSOH mandate Supports the coordination, monitoring of and evaluates the legal system and its compliance with international human rights instruments and advises, where appropriate, relevant authorities including on the implementation of UN recommendations
Supports the planning, coordination and leads multidisciplinary teams in the conduct of investigations into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in compliance with UN standards Develops and coordinates initiatives to strengthen the response to systematic and/or emerging patterns of human rights violations and abuses, including with respect to sexual violence in conflict relevant in the context of UNSOH mandate
Drafts, reviews and coordinates the timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings and other type of communications in compliance with established standards Ensures the integration of UN-developed methodology into human rights monitoring, reporting, protection and investigation activities.
Capacity Building and Technical Cooperation: Supports the design, coordination and evaluation of capacity-building efforts, including those supporting institution-building and institutional reforms, for alignment with international human rights norms and to meet international human rights law obligations and to support the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy
Designs, delivers, coordinates and evaluates human rights training programmes for national officials, civil society representatives, human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs), National Human Rights Institutions and other national stakeholders as relevant in the implementation of HRDDP mitigation measures
Coordinates with other UN mission components, UN actors and other regional and international organizations to create opportunities to integrate human rights into their training and cooperation programmes, including those aiming at legislative, rule of law and security sector reforms as relevant in the implementation of HRDDP mitigation measures 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 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. 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. 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.
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. MANAGING 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in the human rights or related field is required. A minimum of five years of experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is required. Experience in human rights advocacy and/or in the design and management of, capacity building programmes and/or conducting human rights investigations is required. A minimum of three years of experience in a field operation of the United Nations Common System working directly with the United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, is required. A minimum of three years 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 or non-governmental organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III
French | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III
Assessment
Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.
Special Notice
Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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.
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. 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. This job opening is being advertised for advance planning purposes pending formal approval of the relevant funding and staffing structures.
An appointment may be terminated, or post level adjusted in accordance with the Staff Rules for such reasons as abolition of post or reduction of staff or committee funding approvals, for example in the event that the funding for the post is not approved or the mandate of the mission is not extended. 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 need period are not eligible to apply.
(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. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2):
(1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and
(2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
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.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.