National Professional Officers are employed for functions in UNMIS which by their very nature require national knowledge and experience and so could not be carried out as effectively by international professionals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of Human Rights Team Leader, Human Rights Officers the National Human Rights Officers will perform the following duties:

• Collect and research information pertaining to human rights matters from a variety of data sources (e.g. communications, publications, the press) to keep abreast of issues/events and provide up-to date information; assist in the analysis of information to include the impact on the country’s and thematic mandates on the human rights situation in the assigned area;
• Participate in field missions to collect information on the situation of human rights, including violations of human rights;
• Draft a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters;
• Attend court hearings and trials; prepare summaries of results;
• Monitor current human rights issues, to include relevant political and legal developments in Sudan;
• Assist in the provision of human rights training for national law enforcement officials, representatives of civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to promote national capacity building;
• Review human rights issues, including gender considerations and participate in discussions with other Human Rights Officers (HROs) on the integration of these issues ;
• Assist in promoting efforts for strengthening civil society in the promotion and protection of Human rights.
• Participate with other HROs in advocacy efforts with authorities and other stakeholders with the aim of promoting human rights and preventing human rights violations, seek remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future.
• Liaise with government, NGOs, Civil Society organization, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline date on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of human rights-related issues; ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender-based, social, economic, etc.,; demonstrated research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of relevant issues/problems; basic knowledge of institutional mandates, policies, guidelines, etc. related to human rights; skills in developing sources for data collection.
• Planning & Organization: Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan;
• Demonstrated ability to apply good judgement in the context of assignments given.
• Technological Awareness: Good computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and other relevant software packages.
• Communications: Ability to speak and write in a clear and concise manner, including ability to draft a variety of reports, correspondence, etc.
• Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  

Qualifications:

• Education: Advance University Degree (Bachelors or equivalent) preferably in law, political science, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights or combination of University Degree and experience in a related field.
• Experience: At least three years of progressively responsible professional work experience closely related to political science, international relations, law or other related disciplines. Human rights field work will be an asset.
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic