Human Rights Officer

United Nations; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The United Nations in New York seeks a Human Rights Officer to provide strategic policy advice and lead human rights mainstreaming across UN planning processes. The role collaborates with the DCO and OHCHR to strengthen rights-based approaches in development coordination and humanitarian contexts.

The position focuses on four areas: policy advice, mainstreaming in analyses and cooperation frameworks, cross-entity coordination, and normative guidance on international human rights mechanisms,

Responsibilities

• Strategic human rights policy advice to the Development Coordination Office (DCO), Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams.
• Human rights mainstreaming in Common Country Analyses and Cooperation Frameworks.
• System-wide coordination and partnerships with OHCHR, UNSDG entities and other stakeholders.
• Normative analysis and guidance on relevant international human rights mechanisms and recommendations.

Job description

Job Network : Political, Peace and Humanitarian

Job Family : Human Rights Affairs

Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories , P-4

Recruitment Type : Temporary Opportunities

In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat. DCO exercises managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the oversight of the Chair of United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). In 2026, DCO undertook a recalibration to ensure the RC system remains optimally configured to support the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda and embodies the UN 2.0 shift- anchored in data, digital, innovation, behavioral science, strategic foresight, and a mission-driven organizational culture. The position is located in the Leave No One Behind Unit under the Development Programme Cycle Section in the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in New York and reports to the Chief, Development Programme Cycle Section. The Human Rights Officer works closely with the other sections under the Policy, Programme, and Data Division, as well as with OHCHR and other entities of the UN system as required. The proposed position would focus on four areas: 1. Strategic human rights policy advice to DCO, Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams. 2. Human rights mainstreaming in Common Country Analyses and Cooperation Frameworks. 3. System-wide coordination and partnerships with OHCHR, UNSDG entities and other stakeholders. 4. Normative analysis and guidance, including relevant international human rights mechanisms and recommendations.