Senior Human Rights Officer & Coordinator (Temporary)

About the role

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is seeking a senior professional to coordinate and support the Commission of Inquiry on the situation in North and South Kivu, DRC. The role is temporary, full‑time, and based in Kinshasa, reporting to the Chief of the Human Rights Inquiries Branch and the Chief of Investigation Support Section.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise development of investigation plans, methodology and data‑collection tools.
• Support Commission members on substantive, operational and administrative procedures.
• Manage the Secretariat’s workflow, information sharing, accountability and performance.
• Facilitate communication between Commission members and OHCHR.
• Ensure investigations follow strategic objectives, standard fact‑finding methodology and gender perspectives.
• Coordinate investigative and reporting tasks of Commission members.
• Oversee victim and witness protection measures and referral pathways.
• Accompany members on field missions and act as main interlocutor with duty‑bearers, UN agencies, media and other stakeholders.
• Integrate gender perspective throughout investigation, evidence gathering and reporting.
• Take responsibility for quality and timely delivery of Commission reports.
• Liaise with security coordinator/UNDSS on security requirements.
• Manage budget, finances and regular operational, financial and administrative reporting.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required profile

• Extensive knowledge of human rights issues, including political, ethnic, racial, gender and socio‑economic dimensions.
• Familiarity with mandates of human rights organisations, UN policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate and integrate information from diverse sources and assess impact on human rights situations.
• Experience in coordinating complex investigations and managing multi‑disciplinary teams.

Required skills