🇯🇴 Human Rights Officer (Protection of Civilians Specialist) (P-4) 🕊️ OHCHR Job in Amman, Jordan ⚖️

Protecting civilians in conflict is some of the most demanding — and most necessary — work in the international system, and the UN Human Rights Office is hiring a senior specialist to lead exactly that. This is a Human Rights Officer (Protection of Civilians Specialist) role at the P-4 level with OHCHR in Amman, Jordan. At Youth Works Hub we track professional roles across the UN system, and this is a substantive, leadership-level human rights post, so here is the full breakdown drawn from the official vacancy.

Where the Role Sits

🏛️ The position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Amman, Jordan. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Occupied Palestinian Territory Office or their designate.

What You'll Be Responsible For

The role leads protection-of-civilians work across coordination, strategy, analysis and legal advice:

🤝 Lead coordination between human rights components, mission protection bodies, UN agencies, humanitarian NGOs and civil society to integrate human rights into protection of civilians planning and response.

🗺️ Develop and implement mission-wide and local protection strategies and action plans, in consultation with affected communities.

🪑 Chair Protection Working Groups and ensure human rights mainstreaming in protection coordination.

🔄 Facilitate information sharing with UN stakeholders and integrate findings into mission databases, situational-awareness platforms and reporting mechanisms.

⚠️ Lead the identification and analysis of drivers of harm, risk factors and emerging threats to civilians, feeding mission early-warning systems and leadership decision-making.

⚖️ Provide legal and policy advice on international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law, developing authoritative analysis with a focus on accountability and remedies.

📋 Coordinate and contribute to the formulation of mission and UN-system protection-of-civilians policies, guidance and programmes.

🧭 Advise on best practices for victim-centred, gender- and age-sensitive protection policies and programmes.

✅ Ensure compliance with UN protection policies and coordinate continuous-improvement initiatives.

👥 Manage and coordinate the team, including hiring, training, assigning tasks, evaluating performance and meeting deadlines.

The Competencies That Matter

🧠 Professionalism: knowledge of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), child protection, protection of civilians and the application of human rights in humanitarian contexts; skills in survivor-centred, survivor-led programme design; and taking responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives.

🗣️ Communication: clear, effective speaking and writing, active listening, and tailoring language and tone to the audience.

📅 Planning and organising: setting clear goals, prioritising, allocating time and resources, foreseeing risks and adjusting plans as needed.

Who Can Apply

🎓 Education: an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in human rights, law, political science, international relations, social sciences, economics, public policy, sustainable development, humanitarian affairs or a related field. A first-level degree plus two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu.

💼 Experience: a minimum of 7 years in human rights or related areas (which may include political affairs, public affairs, international relations, law, social sciences, economics, development or humanitarian affairs), plus at least 5 years of demonstrated knowledge of protection of civilians and related frameworks, and at least 5 years of demonstrated knowledge of the application of human rights in humanitarian contexts. Knowledge of development/humanitarian frameworks, survivor-centred design, CRSV and child protection frameworks is desirable.

🗣️ Languages: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat; for this opening, English is required at UN Level III across reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Assessment and Key Conditions

📝 Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, potentially followed by a competency-based interview.

📌 This is a Fixed-Term Appointment limited to OHCHR (FTA-limited); renewal is contingent on the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. Per UN staff-selection policy, applicants for Professional-category positions in a mission or field operation cannot hold the nationality of the country where the position is located (Jordan). The UN is committed to 50/50 gender balance, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

💸 The United Nations charges no fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What level and type is it? P-4, a Fixed-Term Appointment limited to OHCHR, based in Amman, Jordan.

❓ What experience is required? At least 7 years in human rights or related areas, including at least 5 years each in protection of civilians and in applying human rights in humanitarian contexts.

❓ What are the language requirements? English is required at UN Level III.

❓ Are there nationality restrictions? Yes — applicants cannot hold the nationality of the duty-station country (Jordan).

❓ Is there a fee? No — the UN charges no fee at any stage.

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Deadline

⏳ 10 September 2026 (job openings are removed at 11:59 p.m. New York time on the deadline date). The vacancy was posted on 27 August 2026. Youth Works Hub tracks senior UN roles like this so you can prepare your application before it closes.

How to Apply

📝 Apply online through the UN careers platform (inspira) for Job Opening 283550, following the instructions in the online recruitment system and submitting complete, accurate information before the deadline.