Senior Human Rights Officer – Belarus (Temporary)

Organization: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Duty Station: UN-designated location
Contract Duration: Until 31 March 2026, subject to mandate extension and/or funding
Languages: English (required), French (working), Russian (desirable), other UN languages an asset

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is within the Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus, established under Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/58/19. The officer reports directly to the Chief of the Investigations Support Unit, Human Rights Inquiries Branch (HRIB), under the overall supervision of the Chief of HRIB.

Main Responsibilities

• Investigations & Methodology: Supervise the development of investigation plans, methodologies, and tools for data collection and processing.

• Operational Support: Advise and support the Group of Independent Experts on substantive, operational, and administrative procedures.

• Secretariat Management: Coordinate Secretariat activities, ensure workflow efficiency, information sharing, accountability, and performance management.

• Communication & Liaison: Act as main interlocutor with duty bearers, UN agencies, media, member states, and other stakeholders.

• Strategic Oversight: Ensure investigations adhere to agreed objectives, standard fact-finding methodology, and integration of gender perspectives.

• Victim & Witness Protection: Oversee measures to safeguard victims and witnesses, ensuring effective referral pathways.

• Field Missions: Accompany Experts on field missions and ensure operational readiness.

• Reporting & Documentation: Take ultimate responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of reports; manage budget, finances, and reporting to OHCHR and other UN entities.

• Security Coordination: Liaise with UNDSS for security requirements affecting Experts and staff.

• Other Duties: Perform additional responsibilities as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Expertise in human rights, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law; ability to evaluate complex political, legal, and socio-economic contexts; deliver high-quality analysis and recommendations.

• Teamwork: Collaborative approach, values input from others, supports team decisions, shares credit for accomplishments.

• Planning & Organizing: Sets priorities, allocates time and resources efficiently, anticipates risks, and adjusts plans as necessary.

• Leadership: Empowers team members, drives change, anticipates and resolves conflicts, promotes gender balance and inclusion.

• Judgement/Decision-Making: Gathers relevant information, evaluates impacts, makes informed decisions, and provides actionable recommendations.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, International Relations, or a related human rights discipline. First-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

• Experience:

  • Minimum 10 years progressively responsible work in human rights or combined experience in human rights and international humanitarian or criminal law.

  • At least 5 years of team management experience.

  • 2 years of investigative experience in human rights or international criminal law desirable.

  • Relevant regional experience is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English required (oral and written)

• Knowledge of Russian desirable

• Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage

Assessment

Evaluation may include assessment exercises followed by competency-based interviews.

Special Considerations

• Temporary assignment may be limited to internal candidates.

• Applicants must meet UN ethical standards and demonstrate integrity; violations of human rights law, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment disqualify candidates.

• Reasonable accommodations provided for applicants with disabilities.

• Recruitment follows UN policies, ensuring efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Application Instructions

• Apply via the UN Careers Portal (Inspira)

• Ensure accurate and complete information in your application; no amendments after submission.

• Deadline: Job openings are removed at 11:59 PM (New York time) on the specified deadline.

• No fees are required at any stage of the UN recruitment process.