High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), West Africa Regional Office (WARO) based in Dakar, Senegal. The incumbent reports to the Regional Representative of the West Africa Regional Office.Job descriptionWithin delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Plans and coordinates activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, including from a gender perspective.
- Conducts substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in the assigned region or country.
- Collects and analyzes human rights data and indicators in the country/region of assignment, including gender-specific data and indicators.
- Provides support to sub-commissions, commissions, and other bodies; follows up on the implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies.
- Ensures that human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions, are integrated into political, humanitarian, and economic efforts and programmes.
- Defines the work plan for the assigned area in accordance with established terms of reference.
- Assists country military and police to develop and implement training programmes in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy, and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives.
- Supervises field verification work through periodic visits; follows up on cases and situations verified by the regional offices.
- Represents the UN human rights programme at working-level meetings.
- Directs capacity-building efforts on human rights in the region/country of assignment.
- Drafts a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., including submissions to policy-making bodies.
- May provide guidance to new/junior staff.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Job requirements
- An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required.
- Experience in coordinating programmes/projects on human rights issues in the region or in a comparable international or regional context is required.
- Experience in developing and implementing human rights technical cooperation, advisory services and advocacy is desirable.
- Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is desirable.
- Experience working with regional or international organizations on human rights issues is desirable.
Deadline : Sep 30, 2025