Assistant Human Rights Officer – UN OHCHR (Banjul)

About the role

The Assistant Human Rights Officer will work in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights West Africa Regional Office in Banjul, reporting to the Deputy Regional Representative. The role supports the collection, verification and analysis of human rights information, and assists in monitoring missions, reporting and capacity‑building activities.

Key responsibilities

• Assist in gathering and managing evidence‑based data on civil, cultural, economic, social and political rights, identifying gaps and supporting early‑warning analysis.
• Support the planning and conduct of field verification missions, ensuring compliance with UN methodology, gender indicators and protection standards.
• Contribute to drafting human‑rights reports, briefings and analytical papers under close supervision.
• Help deliver capacity‑building programmes for state institutions, security forces, NHRIs and civil‑society partners, integrating gender and “leave no one behind” considerations.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information in line with UN data‑privacy and security requirements.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in human rights, law, political science, international relations or a related field (or a first‑level degree with two additional years of relevant experience).
• Minimum two years of progressively responsible professional experience in the human‑rights field at national or international level (or a Master’s degree may substitute for experience).
• Fluency in English at UN Level II; knowledge of French is an asset.