View Vacancy - Human Rights Officer (CHEG773)
The United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations in Geneva represents the interests and policies of the UK at the UN and is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Human Rights Officer for the Political and Human Rights Team.
Geneva is a hub of multilateral diplomacy, home to leading international agencies, think-tanks and non-governmental organisations, offering substantive opportunities to engage, influence and shape foreign policy. This is an exciting opportunity to work as a part of the UK delegation, at the heart of the UK’s work at the UN.
Main Duties / Responsibilities
- Human Rights Portfolio: To lead in the Political and Human Rights Team on a portfolio of geographic and thematic human rights issues.
- UN Human Rights Council (HRC): Attend and report sessions of the HRC and its subsidiary bodies as a member of the UK delegation; to lead on and negotiate resolutions in a multilateral setting; to outreach and influence external contacts; and attend HRC plenary sessions and other human rights events at the UN.
- Universal Periodic Review (UPR): Prepare UK statements for, attend and report sessions of the UPR Working Group.
- UN treaty bodies, UN working groups: Attend and report key meetings of UN human rights treaty bodies and UN working groups.
- Communication and organisation: Coordinate correspondence with UN human rights bodies and other diplomatic missions; report information from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); and provide support in planning HRC sessions and human rights side events.
- Visits (20%): to help with cross-Mission activities, in particularly visits by VIPs and other senior officials.
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential and will be tested at interview;
- Professional experience of the UN/multilateral system, including experience in negotiations;
- University degree in international law, political science, international relations or other discipline related to human rights;
- Knowledge of, and a keen interest in, the UN human rights system;
- Strong spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to produce written reports in a timely manner and in a clear and concise style.
- Excellent interpersonal and team-working skills. Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with respect for diversity;
- Proven strong skills in planning, organisation and administration towards the achievement of team objectives: ability to work flexibly to manage competing priorities and work under pressure to tight deadlines;
- Applicants must be willing to undergo a mandatory process of security clearance.
- Working knowledge of French is desirable (i.e. the ability to understand French spoken in EU/UN meetings and to read French- language texts/emails);
- A master’s degree is advantageous;
- Familiarity with social media;
- Good IT skills (MS Office);
- Full driving licence.
This is a full-time one year fixed-term contract, for 5 working days (40 hours) per week, at A2 level.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 6 months probation period.
Staff recruited locally by the UK Mission for the United Nations in Geneva are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Swiss employment law.
We kindly advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application before the deadline.
Only applications submitted until 15 of June 2016 at 23:55 (local time) will be considered.
This opportunity is closed to applications.