Human Rights Officer (Sustainable Development Advisor)

UN Secretariat; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,143,000 - 1,796,000; Full time

Job summary

OHCHR Regional Office in Pretoria seeks a Human Rights Officer to deliver regional analysis and policy guidance on human rights-based development and the 2030 Agenda. The role entails coordinating with UN entities, governments, NGOs and international partners to advance rights-focused policies.

The officer will prepare reports, provide technical assistance, monitor compliance with international instruments, and supervise junior staff, including gender-aware program development.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field is required.
• Minimum seven years of progressive experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or development economics.
• Experience integrating human rights into sustainable development policies and programs at regional or national levels.
• Experience in research, analysis, and report writing on human rights and development financing.

Responsibilities

• Provides regional analysis and advice on human rights-based economic and social policies and sustainable development.
• Advises on integrating human rights into national and UN development policies, including the UNSDCF and national strategies.
• Offers policy advice and technical assistance to build national capacities.
• Reviews, monitors, and evaluates activities related to international human rights instruments and treaty body recommendations.
• Prepares human rights sections of reports for UN bodies.
• Collaborates with UN, states, NGOs, and international financial institutions to integrate human rights, including gender dimensions, into programs.
• Liaises with Geneva and other stakeholders; supervises junior staff.

Skills

Professionalism

Communication

Teamwork

Human rights

Economic policy

Development issues

Gender perspectives

Policy analysis

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in law or international relations

First-level degree with two additional years of qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: This Human Rights Officer position is located in the Regional Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Pretoria. The incumbent reports to the UN Human Rights Regional Representative and OHCHR’s Chief of the Sustainable Development Section in Geneva. The role focuses on regional responsibilities within the Sustainable Development Section.

Job purpose: The Human Rights Officer will provide regional analysis and advice on policy, programming, and capacity development related to human rights-based economic and social policies and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes advising on the integration of human rights into national and UN development frameworks, providing technical assistance, and monitoring the implementation of international human rights instruments. The role involves collaboration with UN entities, governments, and international organizations to advance human rights in development practices, ensuring alignment with OHCHR's global work. The officer will also prepare reports and contribute to training programs.

Responsibilities: Assists OHCHR's regional work by providing analysis and advice on human rights-based economic and social policies and sustainable development. Advises on integrating human rights into national and UN development policies, including CCA and UNSDCF, and national development strategies. Offers policy advice and technical assistance to build national capacities. Reviews, monitors, and evaluates activities related to international human rights instruments and treaty body recommendations. Prepares human rights sections of reports for UN bodies. Collaborates with UN, states, NGOs, and international financial institutions to integrate human rights, including gender dimensions, into programs. Stays updated on economic policy, development, and human rights, making recommendations. Liaises with various stakeholders on coordination and policy matters. Assists in developing and implementing training programs with a gender perspective. Coordinates with the Geneva Sustainable Development Section to align regional and global work. Supervises junior staff.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, development economics, social sciences, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

Work experience: A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, or development economics is required. At least three years of experience integrating human rights into sustainable development policies and programs at regional or national levels is essential. Experience in research, analysis, and report writing on human rights and development financing is also required.

Skills: Professionalism, communication, and teamwork. Expertise in human rights, economic policy, and development issues. Ability to analyze and integrate information from diverse sources. Skills in training civil authorities and advocacy groups. Ability to relate human rights perspectives, including gender dimensions, to development programs. Effective verbal and written communication. Collaborative work approach.

Required languages: English, French

Desired languages: