Human Rights Officer (Temporary, Team Leader)

About the role

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Bogota, Colombia is looking for a Human Rights Officer (Team Leader). The post is under the direct supervision of the Representative and is temporarily available until 31 December 2026, with a possibility of extension depending on funds. It is a full-time position.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate activities for the Civic Space and People's Participation strategy, working closely with all parts of the Office.
• Review, monitor and evaluate the implementation of international human rights instruments, including treaty body and Human Rights Council recommendations on the right to participation, and promote a safe environment for civil society and human rights defenders.
• Support treaty bodies, extra-conventional mechanisms and special procedures, and prepare human rights parts of reports for the General Assembly and Human Rights Council.
• Meet regularly with the peacekeeping team, UN staff, national officials and civil society to plan and review projects.
• Integrate human rights, including gender dimensions, into UN and NGO programmes in Colombia and help design and run the human rights programme and its evaluation.
• Keep up-to-date on substantive human rights issues and make recommendations on actions to take.
• Coordinate with the Inter-American System, national and international civil society and State institutions, and brief representatives.
• Help train military and police on human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with gender perspectives.
• Act as team leader for staff coordination, planning and budget, and train and supervise new and junior staff.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field; a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying experience may be accepted instead.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or a related area; experience in monitoring, analysis, advocacy and reporting, and with human rights defenders, is desirable.
• Knowledge of human rights issues such as civic space, the right to participation and the protection of human rights defenders, and of institutional mandates and policies.
• Ability to carry out in-depth studies, train civil authorities and advocacy groups, and to take responsibility for gender perspectives.

Required skills

• English at UN Level III reading, writing and listening, and Level II speaking.
• Spanish at UN Level III reading, writing, listening and speaking.