Associate Human Rights Officer

Host entity: OHCHR

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Community development, Human rights, Legal affairs

Application deadline: 27/09/2026

Mission and objectives

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) supports Pacific Islands Countries and Territories to promote and protect the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and human rights treaties. UN Human Rights has a unique role in helping to empower people; providing technical cooperation and capacity building; and including a human rights perspective into UN programmes.

The UN Human Rights (OHCHR) Pacific Regional Office (PRO) based in Suva, Fiji, was established in 2005 and covers Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. As part of the regional team, the Human Rights Adviser in Multi-Country Office Samoa covers Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa and works closely with PRO while being based at the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Apia.

UN Human Rights considers climate and environmental action as a strategic direction of its global 2024-2027 Organisational Management Plan (OMP), and gender equality as a key area of engagement across the Pacific. This is reflected in current programming across the region and in OHCHR Pacific’s engagement with the UN Pacific and Samoa Teams and UN agencies in applying a human rights-based approach to programmes and policies to advance sustainable development, gender equality and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in the region. These actions are closely aligned with the Pacific UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2027.

Assignment context

The Human Rights Adviser in MCO Samoa in whose team the UNV will work, seeks to ensure the meaningful participation of women, children, persons with disabilities, networks of Human Rights Defenders and other civil society actors. S/he/works closely and constructively with partners in the Governments of Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue in support of their engagement with international human rights mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review, treaty bodies and special procedures. In doing so, s/he/they forge partnerships with local stakeholders, CROP regional organisations and UN agencies. There is a need to widen and deepen the space for engagement of/with other groups such as LGBTQIA+, indigenous people and local communities, including in relation to the right to environment and climate change. Women Human Rights Defenders’ intersectional efforts to work on land and environmental issues need increased support.

Task description

Under the overall supervision of the Pacific UN Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Representative and direct, delegated supervision of the Human Rights Adviser, RCO MCO Samoa, based in Apia, the Associate Human Rights Officer will be expected to support capacity building, technical assistance, research and human rights monitoring activities in the Pacific and undertake the following tasks:

1) Contribute to building civic space through the strengthening of networks for land and environmental human rights defenders working to address impacts of climate change in Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue, amplifying their voices and participation in decision-making processes. Link this capacity building to the wider engagement by the Regional Office.

2) Contribute to engagement by partners in Samoa, Cook Islands and Niue with international human rights mechanisms (UPR, treaty bodies, special procedures). Link this work to the wider engagement by the Regional Office.

3) Contribute to engagement on women’s rights, gender equality and the nexus with a variety of other human rights issues, including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, climate justice, economic empowerment, access to education and healthcare.

4) Support the Regional Representative, Deputy Regional Representative and Human Rights Adviser in the drafting of a variety of internal and external reports, communications, briefings, statements, including to policy-making bodies;

5) Engage in educational and promotional activities in the country to raise awareness on the linkages between human rights, gender equality, the environment and climate change;

6) Performs other human rights-related duties as required.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in:
• Experience in human rights law, climate change and environment, international relations, peace and conflict studies or a related area.
• Experience in capacity building for the promotion and protection of human rights is desirable.
• Experience in data collection and dissemination through various platforms is desirable.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
• Knowledge of international human rights instruments and mechanisms.
• Good communication and analytical skills.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Commitment and Motivation
• Communication
• Ethics and Values
• Respect for Diversity
• Working in Teams

Living conditions

In the 2022 classification exercise of duty stations according to conditions of life and work, Samoa has received a B hardship classification. The selected candidate will be responsible for arranging her/his/their own housing and other living essentials.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.