View Vacancy - Senior Human Rights Officer (CHEG22.199)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political

The United Kingdom Mission to the UN & WTO in Geneva (UKMis) represents the interests and policies of the UK at many international organisations.

 

The Senior Human Rights Officer will lead for the human rights team on selected geographic and thematic issues at intergovernmental negotiations, especially the Human Rights Council and related working groups:

  • Geographic leads include Europe and Central Asia (Russia, Belarus, Georgia);
  • Thematic leads Child Rights, Child Early and Forced Marriage, Corruption and Human Rights; Rights of Persons with Disabilities; 

The Senior Human Rights Officer will also coordinate and supervise reporting on Human Rights Treaty Bodies (specialised UN expert committees) to desks and posts.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Human Rights Portfolio: Take lead in the Political and Human Rights Team on a portfolio of geographic and thematic human rights issues, including Russia; Georgia;  Belarus; Ukraine support; Central Asia; anti-corruption; child, early and forced marriage (CEFM); female genital mutilation (FGM); and child rights.
  • UN Human Rights Council (HRC): Attend and report sessions of the HRC and its subsidiary bodies as a member of the UK delegation; take lead on and negotiate resolutions in a multilateral setting; do outreach to 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, including the Human Rights Committee and the Committee against Torture and UN working groups. UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • 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, human rights side events and official visits. Help with cross-Mission activities (e.g. VIP visits).
  • Fluent written and spoken English (C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
  • Intermediate written and spoken French (B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
  • 3-5 years of professional experience of the UN/multilateral system, preferably on human rights including experience in multilateral negotiations; 
  • 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; 
  • Good IT skills; proficiency in word processing; 
  • Familiarity with social media; 
  • University degree in international law, political science, international relations or other discipline related to human rights.
  • Fluent French or another UN language.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
26 May 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Part-Time, Permanent
32
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Switzerland
UK Mission to the Office of the United Nations, Geneva
International Organisation Delegation
1
1 July 2022

This role is currently offered on a part time basis (32 hours/4 days per week), at Executive Officer (EO) level. However, a move to permanent full time work (40 hours/5 days per week) may be possible subject to agreement between the successful candidate, the line manager, and the Corporate Services Team.  Full-time working is required at certain points throughout the year, in particular when the Human Rights Council is in Session.

 

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 3 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.

 

Please note that you must have the right to work and reside in Switzerland without visa sponsorship. (For information: UK and EU nationals do not require visa sponsorship).

 

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Switzerland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

 Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the UK Mission will not be able to meet any cost during the Recruitment and Selection process, Security Check nor the costs connected with relocation.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.