This position is open to Sri Lankan Nationals Only.

BACKGROUND

The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator (UN RC) – the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. The position is in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Sri Lanka and reports to the Senior Human Rights Adviser (SHRA).

The UN RCO leads the coordination of UN programming in Sri Lanka including through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). It ensures the alignment of the UN assistance with national development priorities, plans and capacity building in the context of a human rights-based approach and SDGs. It also works to position the UN system at the centre of development efforts and international cooperation in the country. The UNSDCF guides the UN and the Government’s engagement in enhancing the economic and social development of the people in Sri Lanka.

Under the overall guidance of the UN RC in Sri Lanka and under the direct supervision of the SHRA and in collaboration with programme staff, the incumbent will support the integration of a human rights-based approach (HRBA) into UN programmes and activities, in particular the UNSDCF; support the strengthening of national institutions and capacities and strengthen the engagement with mechanisms through liaising and engaging with stakeholders including government, civil society, National Human Rights Commission and other national institutions including the Inter-Ministerial Committee as well as through providing trainings and capacity building.

This comprehensive framework outlines the responsibilities of the Human Rights Officer in advancing UN RCO’s SDG agenda and integration of a HRBA, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies and goals.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of interconnected nature of development risks & crises that the world is facing and that call for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated & systemic response.

Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. The Human Rights Officer will play a crucial role in supporting a portfolio approach for all HRBA initiatives, driving comprehensive HRBA transformation within the UN RCO and UN programmes. In the evolving Sri Lanka context, advancing a human rights economy, particularly through monitoring budgetary policy and realisation of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs) is critical.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

Contribute to strengthening the National Human Rights Commission and other national institutions including the Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee.

• Organize training workshops and capacity building activities.

Support capacity building of civil society including NGOs, journalists, community leaders, CBOs, religious leaders and academia.

• Participate in human rights training programmes and activities with representatives of civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Contribute to the integration of a HRBA and gender dimension in UN programmes and activities.

• Review draft UN project proposals to promote and synthesize HRBA.
• Analyze the human rights situation to identify opportunities for engagement on HRBA.
• Participate and where appropriate actively support as focal point programme and thematic coordination groups under the UNSDCF, e.g. relevant Outcome Results Groups, gender and youth thematic groups, etc.

Contribute to the development and implementation of joint UN programmes, projects and other activities.

• Develop draft joint UN proposals and joint initiatives with other partners.
• Provide technical advice for the implementation of joint projects and initiatives.
• Provide relevant inputs for RCO and UNCT communications and reporting products.
• Support outreach activities.

Strengthen partnerships and engagement on a human rights economy to advance the promotion of ESCRs.

• Liaise with stakeholders including civil society, academia, think tanks, women’s and youth networks and key international actors (including IFIs, development partners and regional organizations) to identify entry points and foster dialogue to promote and advance the realization of ESCRs and related SDGs of the 2030 Agenda.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Business Management 

• Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Direction and Strategy                

• Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Business Development 

• Integration within the UN: Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work. Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

2030 Agenda: Peace 

• Rule of Law, Security & Human Rights: Human Rights Mainstreaming; Human Rights Institutions; UNDPs Engagement with Human Rights Mechanisms

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related area OR
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• A minimum of two (2) years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
• Experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders including UN agencies, government partners, donors, businesses and civil society is an asset.
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team environment, such as development agencies, international organizations, international private businesses is an asset.
• Experience in developing and implementing UN projects and/or project management is desirable.
• Experience in providing capacity building to diverse stakeholders including national institutions is desirable.
• Experience in identifying opportunities for technical cooperation is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Tamil or Sinhala is required.

Applicant information about OHCHR rosters

OHCHR reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with OHCHR at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

OHCHR has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

OHCHR is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

Gender

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. Qualified women are encouraged to apply. 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 United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements