United Nations Human Rights Officer - Jobs in Kenya

United Nations Human Rights Officer - Jobs in Kenya

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office for the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes in Nairobi, Kenya. Nairobi is classified as a “B” hardship duty station and a family duty station. The Human Rights Officer reports to the Director of Political Affairs.

Nairobi is classified as a "B" hardship duty station and a family duty station.

The Human Rights Officer reports to the Director of Political Affairs.

In February 2013, 11 nations signed the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, in a renewed drive to end the recurring cycles of devastating conflict in eastern DRC which impacts stability and development in the Great Lakes area of Africa. On 31 January 2014, two more countries,Kenya and Sudan became signatories of the PSC Framework.

The framework aims to help
"address the root causes of conflict and put an end to recurring cycles of violence" in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region. In its Resolution 2098 (2013), the Security Council welcomed the signing of the PSC Framework. It called on the Special Envoy, in coordination with the Special Representative for the DRC to "lead, coordinate and assess the implementation of national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework, including through the establishment of benchmarks and appropriate follow-up measures".

The Security Council further encouraged the Special Envoy to "lead a comprehensive political process that includes all relevant stakeholders to address the underlying root causes of the conflict".

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

• Reviews, supports, facilitates and evaluates activities relating to the implementation of international
human rights instruments and judicial cooperation mechanisms, including the 2019 Nairobi Declaration on Justice and Good Governance, the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, the 2006 Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, in line with the UN Great Lakes Regional Strategy.
• Supports the work of the Great Lakes Judicial Cooperation Network and other relevant regional mechanisms.
• Prepares relevant human rights parts of reports for the Security Council, etc. notes on the status of implementation of human rights and judicial cooperation instruments, etc.
• Meets regularly with the UN staff, national and regional-level officials as well as Military and Police officers to plan projects and review project activities.
• Works with UN and non-governmental programmes in the country/region to integrate human rights, including their gender dimensions in their programs; helps design and implements the human rights program and designs the organization and focus of the evaluation.
• Ensures up-to- date information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights and makes
recommendations on actions to take by the Special Envoy in the context of his mandate.
• Makes contact with other sectors of the UN, other international organizations and governments on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provides, as appropriate suggestions and recommendations on ways to enhance the fight against impunity in the Great Lakes region.
• Assists regional stakeholders to develop and implement training programs in the field of human rights, transitional justice, judicial cooperation, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
• Collaborates with the political team and contributes to, in consultation with the Director Political Affairs, work coordination and administrative functions relating to the staff, planning and budget.
• Trains and supervises new/junior staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
Core 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.

Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the region or country of assignment, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights. Ability to complete in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems in specific societies and systems.

Demonstrated skills in training civil authorities and members of advocacy groups to recognize warning signs of civil unrest and take preventive action to avert hostilities. Ability to relate to human rights issues and perspectives, including their gender equality dimensions, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas. 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 the 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.

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 human rights, political
affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion providing specific examples.

Extensive experience in human rights monitoring and reporting experience is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion providing specific examples.

Experience in supporting regional intergovernmental mechanisms on promoting human rights and judicial cooperation is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion providing specific examples.

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United Nations Human Rights Officer - Jobs in Kenya

Scholarship 2026/27

Scholarship 2026/27