HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER (Sustainable Development Advisor)

United Nations

Location:
Pretoria, South Africa
Grade:
P-4
Category:
Professional Staff
Posted Aug 28, 2026Apply by Oct 11, 2026 (20d left)
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The Human Rights Officer will have regional responsibility assisting OHCHR at the regional level by providing analysis and advice on policy, programming and capacity development related to human rights-based economic and social policies, development, and advancing human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role involves advising on integration of human rights into State and UN development policy and practice, providing technical assistance, monitoring implementation of international human rights instruments, and coordinating with UN and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Assist the work of OHCHR at the regional level and provide analysis and advice on policy, programming and capacity development in relation to human rights-based economic and social policies, development and advancing human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • Provide advice on integration of human rights into State and UN development policy and practice, as well as UN Common Country Analysis (CCA) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCF) and national development strategies.
  • Provide policy advice and technical assistance to strengthen national capacities.
  • Review, monitor and evaluate activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.
  • Prepare relevant human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly, HRC, etc.
  • Meet regularly with relevant units and teams including field staff to plan projects, provide guidance and review project activities in the area of human rights integration in development policy and practice.
  • Work with UN, States, NGOs and international organizations including international financial institutions to integrate human rights, including gender dimensions, in their programs.
  • Ensure up-to-date information regarding substantive matters in economic policy, development and human rights and make recommendations on actions to take.
  • Make contact with other UN sectors, international organizations, governments and national mechanisms on coordination and policy matters; brief representatives and provide suggestions and recommendations.
  • Assist country offices and UN country teams and peace missions to develop and implement training programs with attention to gender perspectives.
  • Coordinate closely with the Sustainable Development Section in Geneva to ensure regional developments contribute to and are informed by global OHCHR work.
  • Train and supervise new/junior staff.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, development economics, social sciences or related field.
  • 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, development economics or related area is required.
  • At least three years of experience in integrating human rights into sustainable development, including economic and social policies and programmes, at regional and/or national level, is required.
  • Experience in undertaking research and analysis and/or drafting reports and other documents in the area of human rights and development financing is required.
  • English language proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Skills

  • Human Rights Integration
  • Sustainable Development
  • Economic Policy Analysis
  • Social Policy Analysis
  • Development Economics
  • International Relations
  • Policy Analysis
  • Research and Analysis
  • Report Writing
  • Development Finance
  • Capacity Development
  • Technical Assistance
  • Monitoring Human Rights Instruments
  • Program Coordination
  • Regional Policy Advisory
  • Legal Analysis
  • Political Affairs
  • UN Development Policy
  • Stakeholder Coordination

Languages

English