HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER / Chief of Investigations (Temporary Job Opening)

The Human Rights Officer will manage the day-to-day operations of the Commission’s investigations team in South Sudan, overseeing investigations of human rights violations, coordinating evidence gathering, and ensuring protection of victims and witnesses. The role involves leading a team, developing investigation plans, and ensuring high-quality reporting and data management.

Responsibilities

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Commission’s investigations team.
• Participates in and organizes missions to sites of violations or other places as required.
• Serves as first reporting officer of the team of Human Rights Officers/ Investigators in the Commission.
• Develops investigations, information gathering and operational plans in accordance with standard OHCHR methodology, including on the integration of gender perspective.
• Adapts methodologies and tools to collect and process all data.
• Oversees, guides and conducts interviews and other evidence gathering activities.
• Develops and oversees plans to ensure that all required measures are taken to protect victims and witnesses who will cooperate with the Commission and that effective referral pathways for survivors are used when possible.
• Coordinates drafting of the Commission’s internal analyses.
• Revises all team inputs and ensures highest quality standards of investigation, corroboration, analysis, conclusions and recommendations are incorporated in the final report.
• In coordination with the Information Management and Evidence Unit, ensures the proper handling, secure storage and preservation of information and data in accordance with procedures and tools adopted by the Commission.
• Incorporates gender perspective into all areas of work, in particular in the investigations plan, information gathering, analysis and reports of the Commission.
• Performs any other duties.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, political science, international relations or another discipline related to human rights is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, international humanitarian law or international criminal law is required.
• At least two years of experience in investigations of international human rights law violations with human rights investigative bodies or tribunals is required.
• A minimum of 2 years experience in leading a team is desirable.
• Experience working in/on the region is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Skills

• Human Rights Investigation
• International Humanitarian Law
• International Criminal Law
• Investigation Management
• Team Leadership
• Evidence Gathering
• Victim Protection
• Witness Protection Duties
• Investigation Planning
• Report Writing
• Data Management
• Human Rights
• International Relations
• Political Science
• Legal Analysis

Languages

English