Senior Human Rights Officer

About the role

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is seeking a Senior Human Rights Officer for its Regional Hub for East and Southern Africa in Addis Ababa. Reporting directly to the Regional Director, the incumbent will provide strategic oversight and senior‑level guidance on human‑rights analysis, reporting, and capacity‑building across the region.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the drafting, legal analysis, and dissemination of human‑rights reports, briefings and analytical papers, ensuring gender integration and “leave‑no‑one‑behind” perspectives.
• Direct the collection, verification and multi‑source analysis of thematic and country‑specific human‑rights information, guaranteeing methodological compliance and data quality.
• Provide senior advice to national counterparts on drafting legislation and security‑sector reforms that meet international human‑rights standards.
• Guide the development and implementation of capacity‑building programmes for state institutions, security forces, NHRIs, civil society and other stakeholders.
• Ensure mainstreaming of human‑rights norms into political, peace‑and‑security, humanitarian, development and economic frameworks.
• Advise UN leadership and partners on integrating human rights into protection, rule of law, transitional justice and accountability mechanisms.
• Represent OHCHR in regional and international human‑rights fora, contributing to the implementation of recommendations.

Required profile

• Extensive senior‑level experience in human‑rights analysis, reporting and strategic guidance.
• Proven ability to provide legal analysis and oversight of multi‑source information.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting national authorities on legislation and security‑sector reform.
• Strong understanding of gender integration and “leave‑no‑one‑behind” principles.

Required skills