Director, Human Rights

at United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS)
Location Khartoum, Sudan
Date Posted March 8, 2021
Category Administration
Job Type Full-time
Currency SDG

Description

Posting Title: DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS, D2

Job Code Title: DIRECTOR, HUMAN RIGHTS

Department/Office: United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan

Duty Station: KHARTOUM

Posting Period: 02 March 2021 - 31 March 2021

Job Opening Number: 21-Human Rights Affairs-UNITAMS-151124-D-Khartoum (M)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS which is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the Two Areas) and Darfur; and support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

The position is based in Khartoum and is located in the Office of Support to Civilian Protection (OSCP). The incumbent will report to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), through the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC), with a dual reporting line to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose office provides substantive support and general policy guidance. The incumbent will also liaise closely with the Assistant Secretary-General of the Office of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI).

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for performing the following duties: Advisory and representative roles:

  • Act as the Principal Advisor to the Mission's senior leadership on all activities related to protection of civilians (PoC), including through the promotion of human rights and rule of law, in the Mission's work related to transitional justice, accountability, sexual violence, women, peace and security issues, protection of women and of children, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and grave violations against children as mandated by the Security Council, as well as rule of law and human rights aspects of peace and reconciliation; Report to Mission senior leadership on PoC issues, including rule of law, human rights, international humanitarian law, as well as the work of the OSCP;
  • Ensure close coordination between the OSCP and other components of UNITAMS to promote a whole-of-mission approach to PoC, in close coordination with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Sudan, cognizant that the political and PoC strategies and activities of the Mission should be aligned and mutually reinforcing;
  • Serve as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sudan; Represent the OSCP at relevant inter-agency meetings in the country; Advise the UNCT and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) to ensure that PoC issues are fully integrated into political, humanitarian, peacebuilding and development efforts and programmes, including with respect to strategic frameworks and humanitarian appeal processes;
  • Advise the Mission's senior leadership on strategic, policy, and operational PoC-related decisions, including human rights and the rule of law, and lead the Mission's efforts in support of the National Plan for Civilian Protection, ensuring integrated and coordinated support across all mission capacities, in close collaboration with the UNCT and the Protection Cluster;
  • Assist, advise and support the transitional Government and state authorities at senior levels on strategies, policies, and actions necessary to establish a protective environment, inter alia by strengthening accountability, rule of law and security institutions, and promoting and protecting human rights, including related to CRSV and children and armed conflict (CAAC), bringing to their attention actual and potential violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and suggesting appropriate actions;
  • Counsel the transitional Government on and advocate for compliance with international human rights standards in the drafting of the Constitution, elections law and other relevant legislation and, to this effect, collaborate with the transitional Government, the UNCT, and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of rule of law and security sector reforms;
  • Represent UNITAMS on PoC and relevant human rights and rule of law matters during contacts with national and international organizations, diplomatic missions, donors, and other international actors;
  • Participate in the Mission's internal advisory, policy and decision-making fora, namely all senior mission leadership fora, and advise on strategic, policy and operational decisions that may have PoC, human rights and relevant rule of law implications; advise on measures necessary for the Mission to support PoC activities and promote human rights in the mission area, strengthen rule of law and security sector institutions, mainstream human rights and implement a human rights-based approach.

Substantive Coordination:

  • Ensure coordination of all PoC, human rights, and relevant rule of law activities in the mission area, including on CRSV and CAAC; ensure timely and effective flow of information within UNITAMS and with OHCHR and OROLSI and the channelling of PoC analysis and concerns, including human rights and rule of law principles, for inclusion in crisis management and response;
  • Working closely with the OHCHR Office in Sudan, develop a PoC and human rights monitoring strategy; ensure that timely and regular public reports are issued in consultation with the Mission leadership and OHCHR, and coordinate closely with the OHCHR Office to ensure that recommendations of reports are followed up with the transitional Government and other relevant interlocutors;
  • Ensure the timely submission of quarterly, biannual, and annual reports and Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council on CAAC and on CRSV;
  • Support initiatives by the OHCHR Office linked to supporting and strengthening the national human rights promotion and protection system in the country, including through, inter alia, the establishment or reinforcement of national rule of law and human rights institutions, including a human rights commission, building civil society and state capacities and building up protection programs to support victims and witnesses-centred justice and accountability processes in the context of the fight against impunity;
  • Ensure, in close coordination with the OHCHR Office, that PoC and human rights considerations are reflected and integrated in humanitarian activities, including in emergency planning, preparedness and response, and through participating in and/or playing a lead role in the work of the Protection Cluster;
  • Support the UN's implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) on support provided by the UN to non-UN forces, ensuring coherence in its application across UN entities and effective communication and coordination, and advise mission leadership on strategic issues related to HRDDP implementation as necessary;
  • Ensure coordination and cooperation with the special envoys, independent experts or commissions of inquiry, as relevant, in incorporating recommendations into the human rights strategy of the mission;
  • In close coordination with the Senior Gender Advisor, ensure gender considerations are included and reflected in all PoC-related work, including human rights and relevant rule of law activities and outputs, and ensure compliance with the UN commitment to promote gender equality and mainstreaming in Mission activities.

Managerial responsibilities:

  • Responsible for the overall management of the OSCP and substantive leadership, through, inter alia, formulating a PoC strategy as well as the substantive work program of the office, allocating resources, preparing and reporting on budget and programme performance, evaluating staff performance and ensuring appropriate staffing of the component;
  • Maintain close relationship with OHCHR and OROLSI, including the geographic desk officers, ensuring timely communications on the human rights situation and communication with the human rights treaty monitoring bodies and special procedures;
  • Perform other duties as required by the SRSG, DSRSG/RC/HC and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Competencies

Professionalism: Comprehensive knowledge of PoC, including human rights principles, international mechanisms, transitional justice, humanitarian action, DDR, legislative and rule of law reforms, CRSV, and child protection; Sound political judgement, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion; Capacity to relate to and integrate PoC, human rights and rule of law issues and perspectives into other substantive fields; Understanding of the relevance of information collected by various UN actors for PoC and human rights analysis; Knowledge and understanding of gender concepts and methodologies and women's/girls' rights issues; Ability to provide seasoned effective authoritative advice in a broad range of PoC concerns, including human rights and rule of law issues, CRSV and child protection, to the Head of Mission, DSRSG/RC/HC, Headquarters and senior mission staff; ability to identify and analyse the underlying causes of conflict and instability and to provide advice to senior officials in developing and implementing political strategies to address them; sound knowledge of the institutional mandates, policies, guidelines and methodologies related to PoC, including human rights and rule of law, in UN field missions and the work of the UN system; strong negotiation, consensus-building and conflict-resolution skills; shows pride in work and 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; Does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Judgement/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in human rights, international relations, political science, law or another related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional experience at national and international levels in the field of human rights, humanitarian action, political or social affairs, of which at least ten (10) years in the field of human rights, is required.

A minimum of seven (7) years of field experience in a conflict or post-conflict environment implementing PoC-related strategies, including by supporting accountability processes for human rights and humanitarian law violations and abuses, is required.

A minimum of seven (7) years in management and leadership capacities, including the supervision of large team, is required.

Experience advising senior governmental representatives on PoC, including advocating for the promotion of and respect for human rights and rule of law reforms, in a conflict or post-conflict environment, is required.

Experience in the field of rule of law and accountability in post-conflict or conflict situations, including on strengthening judicial, legal and security sector systems, is required.

Experience working in the UN system or in a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.

Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidates may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.

Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. 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. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on "Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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