Human Rights Officer – Rule of Law & Accountability

About the role

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is seeking a Human Rights Officer to support the Rule of Law, Accountability and Civic Space (RACS) Section. Based in Geneva, the incumbent will serve as Secretary of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, reporting to the Chief of Special Procedures.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate monitoring of human‑rights and international humanitarian‑law implementation, ensuring follow‑up on recommendations from treaty bodies, the UPR, special procedures and investigative findings.
• Collect, document and quality‑control evidence‑based information on civil, cultural, economic, social and political rights, integrating gender and “leave‑no‑one‑behind” perspectives.
• Plan and conduct human‑rights monitoring and field‑verification missions, applying UN methodology, gender indicators and victim‑witness protection standards.
• Coordinate fact‑finding or investigative missions to document violations of international human‑rights and humanitarian law.
• Produce and review human‑rights reports, briefings and analytical papers, ensuring legal analysis and gender integration.
• Provide substantive advice and technical support to national or regional counterparts to strengthen their human‑rights systems and mechanisms.
• Advise UN leadership and partners on integrating human rights into protection, rule of law and related programmes.

Required profile

• Demonstrated experience in monitoring, documenting and reporting on human‑rights situations.
• Proven ability to coordinate multi‑stakeholder missions and manage evidence‑based data collection.
• Familiarity with UN human‑rights mechanisms, gender‑sensitive analysis and victim‑protection standards.
• Strong analytical and legal writing skills for producing reports and policy papers.

Required skills