Human Rights & Gender Officer at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).  We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Human Rights & Gender Officer

Requisition ID: 865
Location: N'Djamena, Chad
Organization: African Union Commission - AUC
Job Grade: P2
Division: MNJTF Mission
Contract  Type: Fixed-term
Directorate / Department: PAPS
Reports to: Senior Human Rights Officer

Purpose of Job

• Assist in promoting and protecting human rights with particular attention to vulnerable groups (women, children, elderly and disabled). Also monitors, reports and advises on human rights abuse and coordinates with partners.

Main Functions

• Assist in the following up on the activities of the mission, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan;
• Suggest new and expand on existing policy areas for planned research;
• Contribute in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit / Division;
• Assist in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area;
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas;
• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders;
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships.
• Support the promotion of the activities of the mission including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets;
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division;
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Research and collect information pertaining to human rights violations, keep abreast of issues/events and provide up-to-date information;
• Design and implement technical processes of developing guidelines and procedures to enhance human right safeguards for the mission in line with regional and international instruments;
• Ensure implementation of existing mission guidelines and procedures, including on handling persons associated with Boko Haram;
• Drafts reports and correspondence relating to human rights violations;
• Participates in hearings, consultations and prepare summaries of human right violation;
• Maintains awareness of current human rights violations, including relevant political and legal developments in the country concerned;
• Participates in Human rights training programs for National Law Enforcement officials, representatives of the civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to promote capacity building;
• Reviews human rights violations, assess humanitarian matters and participates in discussions with other Human Rights Officers (HROs). Initiates awareness into political, humanitarian and economic matters.
• Assists in promoting human rights awareness in the community through mobilization;
• Liaise with other Human Rights Officers (HROs) in discussions with relevant authorities and other stakeholders with the aim of preventing human rights violations;
• Liaise with the Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights violations, with special attention to vulnerable groups;
• Design and maintain database to track project progress;
• Submit timely monthly reports;
• Perform any other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A University Bachelor Degree in Law, International Law, International Human Rights, Political Science, Disaster Management, Refugee Management, Laws of Armed Conflicts and Rules of Engagement, International Relations, Social Sciences or related fields, with five (5) years of progressively relevant work experience in the application of international instrument of which two (2) years should have been at supervisory level.

OR

• A University Master's Degree in Law, International Law, International Human Rights, Political Science, Disaster Management, Refugee Management, Laws of Armed Conflicts and Rules of Engagement, International Relations, Social Sciences or related fields, with two (2) years of progressively relevant work experience in the application of international instrument, experience in supervisory will be an added advantage.

Required Skills
Professional Knowledge and Expertise:

• Knowledge of human rights issues, ability to identify related problems, and their political, ethnic, racial, gender inequality and socio-economic dimensions.
• Knowledge of human rights organizations and their prevailing policies and procedures.
• Research and analytical skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights violations.
• Ability to identify sources for data collection, analyze information and draft human rights reports.
• Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensure the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication:

• Speaks, writes clearly, listens to others, interprets messages correctly and responds appropriately. Acts in good faith.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.

Judgement / Decision-Making:

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, spots the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals, solicits inputs, ideas and expertise, willing to learn from others, place team agenda before personal agenda, supports, acts in accordance with final group decision, share credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Consider all those whom services are provided to be “stakeholders” and seeks to see things from stakeholders’ point of view, establishes and maintains productive partnership with stakeholders by gaining their trust and respect.
• Identify their needs and proffer appropriate solutions, monitor ongoing developments within the environment and keep them informed on the problems, progress and setbacks in the projects.

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management
• Managing Risk

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountability awareness and Compliance
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for result
• Continuous improvement focus

Tenure of Appointment:

• The appointment shall be for an initial period of one (1) year, the first three (3) months of which shall be on probation. It shall be renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

Gender Mainstreaming

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is added advantage.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump sum of US$ 78,182.35  (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 64,642.89  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
10th January, 2022.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online