Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Human Rights Officer - Jobs in South Africa
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Regional Office for Southern Africa of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights located in Pretoria, South Africa (ROSA). The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative, and to the Chief of the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section (ARDS).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Plans and coordinates activities related to racial discrimination and racial justice and provides advice to States and national level stakeholders on racial discrimination and human rights, including from a gender perspective.
• Conducts substantive research and analysis of racial discrimination and human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in the region.
• Provides monitoring support and analyzes manifestations racism, racial discrimination and issues of racial justice and assesses their relationship and impact on the human rights situation in the region or countries in the region.
• Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions and other bodies; follows-up on implementation of decisions rendered by human rights mechanisms and policy-making bodies.
• Ensures human rights issues concerning racial discrimination, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programmes.
• Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Undertakes relevant field visits; follows up on different cases and situations racial discrimination in the region.
• In collaboration with the country focal points, works with States, UNCTs, national human rights institutions and other national stakeholders on addressing issues of systemic racism and structural inequalities, economic, social and cultural rights, and implementing the relevant goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Provides technical and expert support to relevant regional organisations, in particular the SADC Regional Economic Commission etc.
• Represents UN human rights programme at working level meetings.
• Directs capacity-building, awareness-raising and training efforts on racial discrimination and human rights in region of assignment.
• Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies.
• Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of international human rights issues, including knowledge of anti-racial discrimination and non-discrimination and issues of xenophobia and related intolerance. Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their racial, ethnic, gender, political and socio-economic dimensions, including knowledge of issues of racism and racial discrimination.
Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. 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

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