HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (TJO), P3

• Organisation: OHCHR - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Location: Yaounde
• Contract: J
• Deadline: 3 November 2026

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Hub for Central and West Africa (RHCWA), Global Operations Division (GLO), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and is based in Yaounde, Cameroon. The incumbent will assist the Independent Expert for Central Africa Republic and reports to the Regional Director.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - Conduct substantive monitoring of the implementation of human rights and international humanitarian law and follow up on recommendations from human rights mechanisms, including treaty bodies, the UPR and special procedures, as well as investigative findings, to ensure compliance with human rights and advance accountability. - Collect, document and analyse evidence-based information on civil, cultural, economic, social and/or political rights, including the right to development, to enable analysis, early warning and response, accountability and informed decision-making, identifying gaps and contribute to ensuring human rights data is discoverable, interoperable and appropriately shared, including from gender and leave no one behind perspectives. - Conduct human rights monitoring and field verification missions, including assessments and early-warning exercises, in accordance with UN methodology, gender indicators and victim/witness protection standards, and draft comprehensive reports on findings and recommendations. - Draft, review and disseminate human rights reports, briefings and other communications, with legal analysis as appropriate, and prepare analytical papers to inform strategies, policies, programmes, crisis management, guidance and decision-making processes, with attention to gender integration and leave-no-one-behind perspectives. - Collect, verify and analyse multi-source information relevant to the human rights thematic and/or country-specific situation, ensuring data quality and methodological compliance, including from a gender perspective and leaving no one behind. - Undertake analysis and prepare analytical papers, including on lessons learned, to inform human rights strategies, crisis management, prevention and response policies, programmes and other decision-making processes. - Provide advisory and substantive support to national and/or regional counterparts to strengthen their human rights systems, institutions and frameworks, including complaints mechanisms, victim and witness support services and engagement with human rights mechanisms, including reporting and implementation of recommendations. - Design and deliver human rights capacity-building programmes for State institutions, security forces, NHRIs, civil society and other stakeholders, including on human rights-based approaches with attention to gender and leave-no-one-behind perspectives. - Provide substantive advisory and technical support to authorities and other non-State development actors to integrate human rights norms and standards in development and economic policies and programmes, including for a human rights economy and as relevant to national development plans and Voluntary National/Local Reviews. - Provide substantive advisory support to civil society on the integration of human rights into protection, rule of law, the human rights economy, transitional justice and accountability, exercising professional judgment under the guidance of senior staff. - Provide substantive support treaty bodies, special procedures, the UPR and/or commissions of inquiry through research, coordination and follow-up, exercising professional judgment under the guidance of senior staff. - Engage in the promotion of Human Rights through advocacy and impactful outreach activities. - Collect and analyse data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. - Deliver training programmes and workshops using various platforms for different audiences to enhance the capacity of UN staff and partners.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. Ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyze information and draft human rights reports. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human rights, law, political science, international relations, social sciences, economics, public policy, sustainable development, humanitarian affairs or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Planning, organising, and coordination skills in a large multi-stakeholder environment is required Knowledge of international human rights law, norms, and standards is required Knowledge of human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis, research and reporting methodologies, including planning, coordinating and conducting field missions is required Knowledge of regional and international human rights mechanisms is required Ability to build and maintain partnerships is desirable Skills to communicate complex and technical matters to diverse audiences are desirable Knowledge of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and related frameworks is desirable Skills in drafting human rights reports, policy and other documents is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II

French UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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