NATIONAL CONSULTANT: Individual Consultant - Human Rights Officer

The Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the GHR Unit, and in close collaboration with the Programme Analyst GBV and GEWE,in the UNFPA Country Office, the consultant will manage the scale-up project and contribute to the overall achievement of UNFPA Gender and Human Rights programme efforts in reducing gender-based violence and accelerating progress on the ICPD agenda and SDG 5 targets.

You will report to 

Under the overall supervision of the Representative and direct supervision of the Head of Gender and Human Rights Programme Specialist the Human Rights Officer analyses and provides critical input into human rights workstream, including the political scanning and other country office mandate to ensure that issues affecting vulnerable populations including women and young people (including adolescents) and key populations are adequately addressed to ensure that no one is left behind in line with the SDGs

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

Job Purpose:

The Human Rights Officer provides inputs into and ensures coherence with the agreed national and international planning framework, including UNFPA Strategic Plan, the Delivery as One Framework, United Nations Sustainable Cooperation Framework, the Country Programme Document, and Annual Work plan. He /She provides guidance on maintaining collaborative relationships with counterparts in government, multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies and civil society to address emerging issues and to facilitate programme delivery. He/she must effectively influence counterparts and work with networks, including civil society, to advance the ICPD agenda, through partnerships and national capacity strengthening, as well as other approaches such as south-south cooperation.

You would be responsible for:

The consultant will manage the scale-up project and contribute to the overall achievement of UNFPA Gender and Human Rights programme efforts in reducing gender-based violence and accelerating progress on the ICPD agenda and SDG 5 targets.

Specific Activities

• Plans and coordinates activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, including from a political lens
• Conducts substantive research and analysis notably on issues related to accountability and human rights included related to key populations and marginalized groups
• Provides specialized advice and expertise on a range of human rights issues to relevant actors, including government, civil society, faith-based organizations and any other relevant organizations and those of interest
• Follows up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies.
• Ensures human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into the CO's programme.
• Defines work plan for area assigned in accordance with established terms of reference.
• Contributes and reviews training programmes of the CO's government and CSO partners in relation to the CO's core mandate areas, human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives and key populations
• Represents UNFPA at relevant meetings across the board related to human rights issues.
• Assists capacity-building and knowledge sharing efforts on human rights in the country/ region and conducts activities, including trainings where relevant to increase knowledge on country situations related to the CO's mandate areas, human rights, and accountability
• Writes a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including to policy-making bodies
• Performs other related duties as required, directed or instructed

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree: master's degree or equivalent in law, human rights, international relations, gender studies or related field (preferably a professional lawyer) is required

  OR

• A first-level university degree in Law (LLB) and a Qualifying Certificate in Law (QLC) is required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of 3 years of responsible experience in SRH, national/international human rights law. international humanitarian law, or international criminal law.
• At least 3 years' professional experience preferably in programme/project management in the public or private sector (at national level).
• Experience working on human rights obligations and responsibilities of parties related to sexuality education and key populations
• Experience in working with government institutions, NGOs, Private sector, and/or donor institutions.
• Conversant with national frameworks and policies on reproductive health and other population issues and their linkages with changing global environment.
• Good knowledge of the programme development mechanism of the United Nations country programmes and familiarity with UNFPA programmes and policies.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Managing data
• Job knowledge/technical expertise
• Planning, organising and multitasking
• Providing financial and budget support

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.