Closing date: 14 Dec 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Guinea-Bissau
Bissau, Guinea Bissau (non-family duty station)
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Reference Number: 09/OHCHR/096/ Guinea Bissau
Deadline for Application: 14 December 2009
Post Title and Level: Chief Human Rights and Gender Section, P5
Duty Station: Bissau, Guinea Bissau (non-family duty station)
Duration: To be determined by the United Nations Department of Field Support
Organizational Unit: United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea Bissau (UNIOGBIS)
The Security Council (UNSC Res. 1876/2009) requested the Secretary-General to establish a United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) and underlined the importance of effective coordination of strategies and programmes between United Nations agencies, funds, and programmes, between the United Nations and international donors, and between UNIOGBIS, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other United Nations missions in the subregion. Among other key priorities UNIOGBIS is mandated to strengthen the capacities of national institutions in order to maintain constitutional order, public security and the full respect for the rule of law, and to undertake human rights promotion, protection and monitoring activities.
FUNCTIONS
Under the overall authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the substantive support and general policy guidance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Chief of the Human Rights and Gender Section will be responsible for the following main functions:
Advisory and representative roles
Act as the Senior Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and report on issues related to human rights and activities related to the work of the Human Rights component;
Act as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guinea Bissau, and report to the High Commissioner (HC) in Geneva in his/her capacity as Representative of the High Commissioner;
Represent OHCHR within the UN Country Team (UNCT) in the mission area and advise relevant UNCT theme groups and working groups on human rights issues;
Represent the mission and OHCHR on human rights matters during contacts with national and international organizations working in the field of human rights, diplomatic missions, donors, and other international actors;
Participate in the mission’s internal policy and decision-making processes and advise on policy, strategic and operational decisions that may have human rights implications;
Participate in Senior Management Team meetings, inform its participants on the activities of the human rights component and recommend measures necessary or desirable for other sections of the Mission to protect and promote human rights in the mission area;
Advise mission stakeholders and Governmental authorities with a view to ensuring the harmonization of legal frameworks with international legal and human rights instruments and the integration and implementation of treaties to which Guinea-Bissau is a signatory party into the national legislation;
Substantive coordination
In accordance with the mandate of UNIOGBIS, ensure cooperation with and assistance to international partners, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union and other regional and sub-regional organizations, governments, the civil society, the academic and the private sector on activities, strategies and work programmes to promote and protect human rights;
Ensure the monitoring of the human rights situation and functioning of key rule-of-law institutions and verify that quality standards are met with regard to the collected data;
Ensure the issuance of public reports in consultation with the SRSG and the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office in a timely and regular manner;
Maintain liaison with authorities and provide them with regular updates on human rights and the justice situation;
Assist the Government in strengthening national capacities for the protection and advancement of human rights including, inter alia, through building relevant capacities of the National Human Rights Institution; the provision of strategic and technical support with a view to ensuring the centrality of human rights in the security and justice sectors’ reforms; and the drafting of new legislation;
Assist the Government to ensure its efforts to address social inequalities, particularly in the areas of education, health, youth employment and support to minority groups, take into account respect for human rights;
Ensure that human rights considerations are reflected and integrated in humanitarian activities, including in emergency preparedness and response, and through participating in and/or leading the work of the Protection Cluster as appropriate;
Ensure mainstreaming of a gender perspective and specific women and girl's rights considerations in the peace consolidation efforts of the mission and the UNCT, in line with Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008);
Ensure the provision of advice on the creation of specific mechanisms or legislation with a view to protecting women and children’s rights, including through coordination of special support for victims, training and sensitization of staff in the justice and security systems;
Maintain close liaison with OHCHR-HQ, including with geographical desk officers, the treaty bodies and the special procedures mechanisms, and ensure timely communications on the human rights situation;
Managerial responsibilities
Responsible for the overall management of the Human Rights component and the provision of substantive leadership, through, inter-alia, formulating the substantive work program of the office, allocating resources, preparation and reporting on budget/programme performance; evaluating staff’s performance and ensuring correct staffing of the component;
Ensure the Human Rights Section collects, consolidates and analyses information received from staff/offices from across the mission area, including through coordinating the effective set-up and functioning of a human rights case database; the set-up of quality control mechanisms and the timely and quality entry of data in that system;
Responsible for the management and implementation of OHCHR-funded projects in Guinea Bissau, as applicable;
Perform other duties as required by the SRSG and the HC.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in law, political sciences, social sciences or international relations. A relevant combination of university degree, professional training and experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work experience
At least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience at national and international levels in the human rights field, including in post-conflict areas, and in the development and implementation of capacity-building programmes. Proven experience in gender mainstreaming, justice monitoring and legislative review. Previous experience working with National Human Rights Institutions, United Nations Country Teams and acquired through relevant engagement in humanitarian mechanisms and processes. At least three years of supervisory, management and leadership experience. Proven experience of working with senior governmental officials.
Languages
- Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is highly desirable.
Other skills
- Previous experience in UN field offices is required.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism – Excellent knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights and justice, including transitional justice issues, gender issues, the rules governing their protection and the mechanisms available in case of their violations. Proven negotiating and managerial skills; strong ability to take initiatives and to demonstrate autonomy, excellent leadership skills and ability to motivate a multicultural and mixed men/women team; Ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and psychologically difficult environment, with a minimum of comfort and in precarious security conditions; Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion; Ability to relate human rights issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, social, economic and humanitarian programmes in affected countries and areas; Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations.
Vision - An in-depth understanding of the Mission’s mandate and strategic direction and ability to transform it into a results-oriented work programme; ability to communicate links between the Mission’s strategy and the Office’s goals;
Managerial - Proven ability to provide effective leadership and transfer advice and knowledge to stakeholders and staff at all levels; Ability to translate the mandate into strategic operational goals and to plan the work of large Units or Offices; Proven record of building and managing large teams by creating an enabling environment, effectively motivating and developing staff
Communication – Excellent interpersonal, representational and communication skills. Ability to present and defend difficult positions to external partners, stakeholders, senior officials, and to present information in a concise, persuasive and accurate manner.
Teamwork – Ability to establish and maintain trust and effective working relations with people of different cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
Reference Code: RW_7Y4HE6-65
