Request from

United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

for an Associate Expert

Job description

RLA-171-09-P050-01-V

General Information

Title (Associate Expert in): Associate Human Rights Expert

Duration: One year

Date required: ASAP

Duty Station (location, sector): OHCHR Office in Guatemala

Supervision

Supervision by: OHCHR Representative in Guatemala

Content and methodology of the supervision:

All tasks will be carried out under the supervision of the OHCHR Representative.

Duties, responsibilities and output expectations

  • Contribute to the promotion and dissemination of international human rights standards and principles.
  • Contribute in the elaboration of thematic and other analytical documents for the Office
  • Assist in the preparation of weekly and monthly reports.
  • Assist in the preparation of workshops, seminars and courses carried out by OHCHR in Guatemala.
  • Support other activities as requested by the OHCHR Representative in Guatemala.

Qualifications and experience

Qualifications

  • University degree in law, political science or international relations, preferably with a Masters or specialization in human rights or international humanitarian law.
  • A minimum experience of two years working with human rights organisations or institutions. Previous experiences with UN agencies or other international organisations are an asset.
  • Ability for technical and legal analysis, as well for drafting documents and reports.
  • Capacity to work in a team and to work under stressful conditions.
  • Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English.

UN Competencies

Knowledge and understanding of UN human rights instruments and procedures.

Work experience

A minimum of two years of professional experience, preferably in the area of protection of human rights.

Knowledge of and experience in Latin American context is an asset.

Learning elements

After his/her assignment the Associate Expert will be able to:

Elaborate thematic and analytical human rights reports.

Classify violations of human rights and breaches of international humanitarian law.

Draft weekly, monthly (situation) and other reports as necessary.

Background information

The Agreement to establish an OHCHR office in Guatemalawas signed by the Government of Guatemala and the High Commissioner in 10 January 2005. This agreement was ratified by Congress on 31 May 2005, signed by President Oscar Berger on 23 June and entered into force on 20 September 2005, following the receipt by OHCHR of the formal notification of the ratification from the Government.

The Agreement provides the OHCHR Guatemala country office with a combined mandate to monitor the human rights situation as well as to present recommendations to strengthen national human rights protection systems. As stated in the Agreement, the Office has the objective “to promote and protect life, liberty, security, well-being, economic and social development, and other fundamental human rights in the context of fulfilling the commitments undertaken in the international human rights treaties signed and ratified by Guatemala”.

Through the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office reports to the Human Rights Council on the activities undertaken in the implementation of the mandate of the Office.