Human Rights Associate Officer- P2

Organizational setting and reporting relationships: The associate officer will work in the Human Rights Programme of the Division of Programmes of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. In performing his/her duties, the associate officer will report to the Manager of the Human Rights Programme.

Accountabilities:  Within delegated authority, the associate officer will be entrusted with the following:

• Preparing case reports, carrying out research, following and reporting on political developments, drafting correspondence and decisions in the context of the work of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians;
• Preparing trial observation missions and preparing and accompanying on-site missions of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians; 
• Assisting with the organization of IPU human rights events. These events will focus in particular on reinforcing the links between, on the one hand, the work of parliaments and, on the other, that of the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the UN Committee on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families;
• Monitoring and analysing the involvement of parliaments in the work of the aforesaid UN human rights mechanisms;
• Contributing to internal discussions and implementation with a view to improving the impact of the work of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and the human rights programme in general;
• Providing, as requested, other assistance in areas covered by the Human Rights Programme.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Members of Parliament, including as victims of human rights violations, and parliamentary staff;
• UN experts and staff;
• Representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations;
• Lawyers and family members of human rights victims;
• Staff of the IPU Secretariat.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: good knowledge of the field of human rights in general; knowledge of the role of parliaments in protecting and promoting human rights.
• Communication: excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Planning and organizing: proven ability to plan and organize meetings and work, ensuring that these are consistent with the overall Strategy of the IPU.
• Teamwork: good interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment. Team spirit. Adaptability to varying working environments and conditions.
• Judgment/Decision-making - good political judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy, and tact.
• Building trust: reputation for dealing honestly and openly with issues and staff; recognized and highly respected by peers, clients, and staff.
• Commitment to continuous learning: willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the relevant field and to develop own skills.

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree in law or a related subject.

Professional: At least three years of progressively responsible experience working at international and national levels in the area of human rights. Experience with parliaments as well as with individual complaint mechanisms is considered a distinct advantage.

Language: Oral and written proficiency in English and French, including the ability of drafting to a high standard in at least one of these languages; knowledge of a third official UN language will be an advantage.

Duties applicable to all staff:

Actively works towards the achievement of the IPU’s strategic objectives. Performs any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Manager of the Human Rights Programme.

Compensation:

The Inter-Parliamentary Union offers an attractive salary and benefits package comparable to that of other international organizations headquartered in Geneva, commensurate with education and experience.

Indicative Annual Net Salary at the P2 level (entry level, net of tax) is USD 50’377 at single rate (plus allowance for primary dependents if applicable).

Post Adjustment:

A post adjustment for Geneva will be paid in addition to the above amount taking into account the exchange rates established by the International Civil Service Commission (website: http://icsc.un.org/). This rate stands at 82.7% for November 2023.

Employment Policy:

This position will be filled through an international recruitment process that will be open to internal and external applicants. From among equally qualified candidates, preference will be given to the under-represented sex and persons from countries not represented in the Secretariat.

This position will be based in Geneva and will require frequent travelling. It will be for an initial period of 11 months (February-December 2024), renewable each time for one year depending on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.