Position description
This position is located in the Global Operations Division (GLO) at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Vienna. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Global Operations Division and to the Deputy High Commissioner.
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Division Director, the Regional Director will be responsible for the following duties:
- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of OHCHR’s Regional Office for Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Regional Office, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and field offices in the region under his/her supervision, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.
- Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Regional Office under his/her responsibility. Coordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Regional Office and by field offices in the region under his/her supervision; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others.
- Responsible for directing and supervising the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of technical cooperation projects at the request of Governments; Directs and supervises the planning, support and evaluation of human rights field presences and missions in his/her area of responsibility. Directs and supervises the support to human rights components of UN peace missions in the area of human rights in his/her area of responsibility.
- Responsible for maintaining cooperation on human rights issues with Member States, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, media, academia, UN country teams and with regional and sub-regional institutions in the regions; Ensures that substantive and administrative support is provided to human rights fact finding and investigatory mechanisms which deal with specific country situations. Draws to the attention of the Director all pertinent information and recommendations emanating from fact-finding activities, giving particular attention to situations in which preventive human rights action might be appropriate.
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Regional Office maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
- Assists the Director in preparing the work programme of the Regional Office, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Engages in strategic resource mobilization, strategic communications and advocacy as the High Commissioner’s representative for Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa.
- Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Regional Office, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (E-performance), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
- Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical balance and gender.
- Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
- Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Branch, field offices in the region and across organizational boundaries.
- Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
- Represents the Regional Office or Division at international, regional or national meetings.
Competencies
- PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.
- 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- LEADERSHIP : Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
- VISION : Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
- MANAGING PERFORMANCE : Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, political science, international relations or related area. 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.
Work Experience
- At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience, of which at least 10 years in human rights or related field, at national and international level (related fields may include, inter alia, humanitarian and refugee assistance and/or protection, peace operations, and development), is required. Experience in working with an international organization in a multi-cultural environment is required. At least 10 years of progressively responsible supervisory, management and leadership experience is required. At least 10 years of human rights or closely related field experience is required. Experience managing on-site implementation of project and operations, as well as effective headquarters management of such operations is desirable. Demonstrated experience in strategic resource mobilization is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English, (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Application instructions
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