Human Rights Officer – Researcher

About the role

The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) is seeking a Human Rights Officer‑Researcher to support its mandate of protecting civilians and strengthening state institutions. Working under the Director of the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) and the Field Coordinator, you will contribute to evidence‑based policy and operational decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct research and verify information on alleged perpetrators of serious human rights and international humanitarian law violations.
• Review and ensure the quality and consistency of profiles entered into the mission’s database.
• Enter relevant data, analyse the evolving human‑rights situation, and keep the database up‑to‑date.
• Identify information gaps, conduct targeted research, and provide missing data for comprehensive profiling.
• Support capacity‑building for national staff and partners through coaching, mentoring, and on‑the‑job training.
• Perform any other duties related to the mission’s human‑rights mandate as required.

Required profile

• Age 27‑80 and a nationality different from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Minimum three years of experience in human‑rights work, preferably with legal affairs exposure.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Human Rights or a related field.
• Fluent command of English and French.
• Valid driving licence.

Required skills

• Strong research and analytical abilities.
• Attention to detail for data quality assurance.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence UN policy and operations in a high‑impact humanitarian context.
• Professional development through mentorship and training.
• Experience working within a multinational UN mission.