Associate Human Rights Officer (Temporary)

About the role

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Panama City is recruiting an Associate Human Rights Officer for a temporary position of 364 days, subject to availability of funds. The post is based in Panama City and falls under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director for the Americas or designee.

Key responsibilities

• Research and collect information on human rights matters, including their gender dimensions, from communications, publications and the press, and help analyse its impact on countries and themes.
• Draft reports and correspondence on human rights matters.
• Take part in hearings and consultations and prepare summaries of results.
• Keep up to date with current human rights issues, including political and legal developments in the countries concerned.
• Take part in human rights training for authorities, national human rights institutions, civil society and NGOs to promote national capacity building.
• Discuss human rights issues with other Human Rights Officers and with authorities and stakeholders, and support international human rights mechanisms in following up on their recommendations.
• Liaise with authorities, NGOs, civil society, UN agencies and partners, with special attention to vulnerable groups.
• Support capacity building, technical assistance, legal analysis and monitoring, including on the rule of law and economic, social and cultural rights.
• Participate in field missions to follow up on cases and situations.
• Contribute to data collection and analysis, producing draft insights through graphs, charts and tables for data-driven planning and reporting.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in human rights, law, political science, international relations, social sciences, economics, public policy, sustainable development, humanitarian affairs or a related field; alternatively, a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying work experience, or a first-level degree with no experience if the candidate has passed the UN Young Professionals Programme, NCRE or G to P examination.
• At least two years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or a related area; field experience and experience in the UN system or similar international organizations are desirable.
• English and Spanish at UN Level II reading, writing and listening, and UN Level III speaking.

Required skills

• Knowledge of human rights issues and institutional mandates, and research and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify sources of data, analyse information and draft human rights reports.
• Clear oral and written communication and teamwork.