ORG. SETTING AND REPORTING
This position is financed by the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) assessed funding. This position is located in Mogadishu. Mogadishu is classified as an E hardship duty station and a non-family duty station. The incumbent has a dual reporting line to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Established on 2 May 2013 by the UN Security Council, UNSOM was launched on 3 June 2013. UNSOM’s core role is to act as an enabler, helping to create and galvanize the political and strategic environment in which stabilisation and peace-building can proceed, including by leveraging other parts of the UN system and international partners. UNSOM supports the Federal Government of Somalia’s agenda of peace, security and nation-building and will help the country move towards free and fair elections. It exercises its mandate guided by the principles of Somali ownership, flexibility, collaboration and partnerships. Learn more about the mission’s mandate athttp://unsom.unmissions.org/
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), through the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General – Rule of Law, and with a reporting line to the High Commissioner for Human Rights, whose office provides the substantive support and general policy guidance, and in line with relevant Security Council resolutions the Principal Human Rights Officer will be the Chief of the UNSOM Human Rights and Protection Group (HRPG) and will be responsible for the following duties:
Advisory and representative roles
1.Acts as the Principal Adviser to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia on all human rights promotion and protection activities in the mission area, including the protection of civilians, transitional justice, the fight against impunity, sexual violence, the protection of women and children in armed conflict, human rights aspects of peace and reconciliation, and report on issues related to human rights and the work of the Human Rights component;
2.Acts as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country, and reports to the High Commissioner (HC) in Geneva in this capacity;
3.Ensures that the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC) and Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) is systematically informed of strategic developments, progress and challenges related to their respective mandates;
4.Represents the UNSOM Human Rights and Protection Group (HRPG) and OHCHR at inter-agency meetings in the country and, in his/her capacity as the HC’s representative, advises the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) to ensure that human rights issues are fully integrated into political, humanitarian and development efforts and programmes including with respect to the United Nations Development Assistance and Integrated Strategic Frameworks (UNDAF and ISF) as well as the Consolidated Humanitarian Appeal (CHAP) processes;
5.Advises the SRSG/DSRSG and oversees the implementation by the Senior Child Protection Adviser and Senior Women Protection Adviser of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) and Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC) mandates, including the ongoing work of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) and the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) ;
6.Leads as necessary, the Mission’s efforts on Protection of Civilians, including through the development and implementation of the UN system-wide strategy on PoC and close collaboration with the UNCT and the Protection Cluster; Ensures the integration of human rights into the mission's efforts to improve protection of civilians, including through participating in the planning and carrying of mission's response or in establishing coordination mechanisms as necessary, and ensures coordination with AMISOM on Protection of Civilians response, namely in translating human rights early warning information into operational response and in responding to gross human rights violations;
7.Advises the Government of Somalia, including the Executive, uniformed services and others, with respect to specific human rights concerns, bringing to their attention actual and potential violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and suggesting appropriate actions;
8.Advises the Government of Somalia on strategies, policies and actions necessary to ratify and report on key international human rights instruments and on its obligations under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), on cooperating with Special Procedures Mandate-Holders and on ensuring respect and implementation of international human rights law and standards;
9.Represents UNSOM 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;
10.Participates in the mission's internal policy and decision-making fora, namely all senior mission leadership fora, and advises on strategic, policy and operational decisions that may have human rights implications and on measures necessary for the Mission to protect and promote human rights in the mission area, mainstreams human rights and implements a human rights-based approach, with special attention to national peacebuilding priorities;
2.Acts as the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country, and reports to the High Commissioner (HC) in Geneva in this capacity;
3.Ensures that the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC) and Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) is systematically informed of strategic developments, progress and challenges related to their respective mandates;
4.Represents the UNSOM Human Rights and Protection Group (HRPG) and OHCHR at inter-agency meetings in the country and, in his/her capacity as the HC’s representative, advises the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) to ensure that human rights issues are fully integrated into political, humanitarian and development efforts and programmes including with respect to the United Nations Development Assistance and Integrated Strategic Frameworks (UNDAF and ISF) as well as the Consolidated Humanitarian Appeal (CHAP) processes;
5.Advises the SRSG/DSRSG and oversees the implementation by the Senior Child Protection Adviser and Senior Women Protection Adviser of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) and Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC) mandates, including the ongoing work of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) and the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) ;
6.Leads as necessary, the Mission’s efforts on Protection of Civilians, including through the development and implementation of the UN system-wide strategy on PoC and close collaboration with the UNCT and the Protection Cluster; Ensures the integration of human rights into the mission's efforts to improve protection of civilians, including through participating in the planning and carrying of mission's response or in establishing coordination mechanisms as necessary, and ensures coordination with AMISOM on Protection of Civilians response, namely in translating human rights early warning information into operational response and in responding to gross human rights violations;
7.Advises the Government of Somalia, including the Executive, uniformed services and others, with respect to specific human rights concerns, bringing to their attention actual and potential violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and suggesting appropriate actions;
8.Advises the Government of Somalia on strategies, policies and actions necessary to ratify and report on key international human rights instruments and on its obligations under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), on cooperating with Special Procedures Mandate-Holders and on ensuring respect and implementation of international human rights law and standards;
9.Represents UNSOM 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;
10.Participates in the mission's internal policy and decision-making fora, namely all senior mission leadership fora, and advises on strategic, policy and operational decisions that may have human rights implications and on measures necessary for the Mission to protect and promote human rights in the mission area, mainstreams human rights and implements a human rights-based approach, with special attention to national peacebuilding priorities;
Substantive coordination
11.Ensures coordination of all human rights activities in the mission area; ensures timely and effective flow of information within UNSOM and with OHCHR and the channelling of human rights analysis and concerns for inclusion in crisis management and response;
12.Develops a human rights monitoring strategy; Ensures investigations of human rights violations are conducted and recommendations of conclusive reports are followed up with the Government;
13.Ensures the timely and regular issuance of public reports in consultation with the SRSG and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with current policy directives and guidance on public reporting by peace missions;
14.Oversees the timely submission of all MRM outputs (quarterly reports, SG country reports on CAAC, contributions to the SG annual report on CAAC) to the co-chairs of the MRM Country Task Force and the chair of Working Group on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence; Oversees the timely submission of biannual MARA reports and contributions to the SG annual report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, as well as other information for Security Council briefings, as required;
15.Oversees the Senior CPA and Senior WPA’s provision of guidance to Child Protection and Women Protection Advisers, and the strategic design and implementation of work plans to implement the CAAC and the CRSV mandates, respectively, including their establishment, engagement and dialogue with parties to the conflict, and timely monitoring, reporting on grave violations against children and conflict-related sexual violence, respectively;
16.In close coordination with United Nations agencies, funds and programs, UNSOM components, and other international actors, supports Somali authorities and civil society at all levels to promote compliance with obligations related to the protection of civilians and to protect the human rights of those most vulnerable, including women and children, as well as human rights defenders, victims and witnesses; ensures that activities in furtherance of the CAAC and CRSV mandates are undertaken through relevant task forces and working groups;
17.Promotes and oversees initiatives linked to supporting and strengthening the national human rights promotion and protection system in the country, including through, inter alia, the establishment or reinforcing of a national human rights institution, building civil society and state capacities and in setting protection programs to support victims and witnesses in the context of the fight against impunity in close coordination with national authorities and civil society;
18.Ensures, as OHCHR Representative, that human rights considerations are reflected and integrated into humanitarian activities, including in emergency planning, preparedness and response, and through participating and/or playing a lead role in the Protection Cluster, as appropriate;
19.Counsels the Government and advocates for compliance with international human rights standards in the drafting of legislation, including of the Constitution as relevant, and to this effect, collaborate with the Government, UN, and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of rule of law and security sector reforms and provide strategic advice to improve compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law with a view to combat impunity;
20.Maintains close liaison with UN counterparts in the country, including neighbouring countries and regional presences, with regard to developments that could affect the observance of the human rights in the mission area;
21.Oversees the UN’s implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) in Somalia, ensuring coherence in its application across UN entities and effective communication and coordination with UNSOS and AMISOM, and advises the SRSG on strategic issues related to HRDDP implementation as necessary.
22.Maintains close liaison with OHCHR for timely communication on the human rights situation, to support the UN human rights mechanisms and to maximize the impact of common and joint strategies between OHCHR and UNSOM; Ensures the provision of support to the Government, civil society and the UNCT on the UPR, as relevant, and on the implementation of its recommendations;
23.Ensures coordination, cooperation and support to Special Procedures mandates of the Human Rights Council, including the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia;
24.Ensures gender considerations are included and reflected in all human rights activities and outputs and ensures compliance with the UN commitment to promote gender equality and mainstreaming in Mission activities, in cooperation with the UNSOM Gender Adviser.
12.Develops a human rights monitoring strategy; Ensures investigations of human rights violations are conducted and recommendations of conclusive reports are followed up with the Government;
13.Ensures the timely and regular issuance of public reports in consultation with the SRSG and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in accordance with current policy directives and guidance on public reporting by peace missions;
14.Oversees the timely submission of all MRM outputs (quarterly reports, SG country reports on CAAC, contributions to the SG annual report on CAAC) to the co-chairs of the MRM Country Task Force and the chair of Working Group on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence; Oversees the timely submission of biannual MARA reports and contributions to the SG annual report on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, as well as other information for Security Council briefings, as required;
15.Oversees the Senior CPA and Senior WPA’s provision of guidance to Child Protection and Women Protection Advisers, and the strategic design and implementation of work plans to implement the CAAC and the CRSV mandates, respectively, including their establishment, engagement and dialogue with parties to the conflict, and timely monitoring, reporting on grave violations against children and conflict-related sexual violence, respectively;
16.In close coordination with United Nations agencies, funds and programs, UNSOM components, and other international actors, supports Somali authorities and civil society at all levels to promote compliance with obligations related to the protection of civilians and to protect the human rights of those most vulnerable, including women and children, as well as human rights defenders, victims and witnesses; ensures that activities in furtherance of the CAAC and CRSV mandates are undertaken through relevant task forces and working groups;
17.Promotes and oversees initiatives linked to supporting and strengthening the national human rights promotion and protection system in the country, including through, inter alia, the establishment or reinforcing of a national human rights institution, building civil society and state capacities and in setting protection programs to support victims and witnesses in the context of the fight against impunity in close coordination with national authorities and civil society;
18.Ensures, as OHCHR Representative, that human rights considerations are reflected and integrated into humanitarian activities, including in emergency planning, preparedness and response, and through participating and/or playing a lead role in the Protection Cluster, as appropriate;
19.Counsels the Government and advocates for compliance with international human rights standards in the drafting of legislation, including of the Constitution as relevant, and to this effect, collaborate with the Government, UN, and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of rule of law and security sector reforms and provide strategic advice to improve compliance with human rights and international humanitarian law with a view to combat impunity;
20.Maintains close liaison with UN counterparts in the country, including neighbouring countries and regional presences, with regard to developments that could affect the observance of the human rights in the mission area;
21.Oversees the UN’s implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) in Somalia, ensuring coherence in its application across UN entities and effective communication and coordination with UNSOS and AMISOM, and advises the SRSG on strategic issues related to HRDDP implementation as necessary.
22.Maintains close liaison with OHCHR for timely communication on the human rights situation, to support the UN human rights mechanisms and to maximize the impact of common and joint strategies between OHCHR and UNSOM; Ensures the provision of support to the Government, civil society and the UNCT on the UPR, as relevant, and on the implementation of its recommendations;
23.Ensures coordination, cooperation and support to Special Procedures mandates of the Human Rights Council, including the Independent Expert on the human rights situation in Somalia;
24.Ensures gender considerations are included and reflected in all human rights activities and outputs and ensures compliance with the UN commitment to promote gender equality and mainstreaming in Mission activities, in cooperation with the UNSOM Gender Adviser.
Managerial responsibilities
- Manages and provides substantive guidance to the Human Rights component and OHCHR technical cooperation programmes and the provision of substantive leadership through, inter alia, formulating a human rights and protection strategy, including requirements for delivering on the CAAC and CRSV agendas in Somalia, and the substantive work programme of the office, allocating resources, preparing and reporting on budget and programme performance, evaluating staff performance and ensuring appropriate staffing of the component; through the Head of Mission, maintains overall accountability for delivering on the Security Council mandates for CAAC and CRSV
- Ensures that the Human Rights component collects, consolidates and analyses information on human rights developments received from staff/offices from across the mission area in line with established methodology, including through the utilisation of a human rights database, the establishment of quality control mechanisms and the timely and quality entry of data into the database;
- Performs other duties as required by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
EDUCATION
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in human rights, international relations, political science, law, or other related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of fifteen 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 in the field of human rights is required. Such experience must include the monitoring and investigating of human rights violations.
A minimum of seven years in management and leadership capacities is required, including the supervision of large teams, is required. Professional experience in an international or non-governmental organization, donor and/or governmental representation advocating for the promotion of and respect for human rights in a conflict or post-conflict environment is required. Human rights experience in assigned geographic conflict or post-conflict locations is required. A proven record of advisory experience to senior governmental representatives in the human rights area is required. Experience overseeing the implementation of the HRDDP, including the establishment and oversight of coordination mechanisms, is desirable.
A minimum of seven years in management and leadership capacities is required, including the supervision of large teams, is required. Professional experience in an international or non-governmental organization, donor and/or governmental representation advocating for the promotion of and respect for human rights in a conflict or post-conflict environment is required. Human rights experience in assigned geographic conflict or post-conflict locations is required. A proven record of advisory experience to senior governmental representatives in the human rights area is required. Experience overseeing the implementation of the HRDDP, including the establishment and oversight of coordination mechanisms, is desirable.
LANGUAGES
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.
HOW TO APPLY:
For complete job opening information and to apply, please visit the United Nations Careers Portal:https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=59002.
