Human Rights Officer, Monrovia

General Description of assignment title: Human Rights Officer Assignment country: Liberia Duty stations: Monrovia Work location: On UN premises Expected start date: 10/19/2026 Duration: 12 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions Host entity: OHCHR Liberia Modality: Onsite Type: International Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026 Work schedule: Full-time Number of Assignments: 1 Details Mission and objectives: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the lead UN entity on human rights. In 1993, the General Assembly entrusted both the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Office with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. Over the course of subsequent decades, with investment and support by Member States, the Human Rights Office has developed unique competencies for the protection and advance of human rights; competencies that bridge the humanitarian, peace and development sectors and that have strategic relevance both today and for the world ahead. As the custodian of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) , OHCHR seeks to support the implementation of international human rights standards on the ground by assisting governments, which bear primary responsibility for the protection of human rights, to fulfil their obligations. OHCHR supports individuals to claim their rights, monitors and reports objectively on human rights abuses and offers support, advice and training to those in authority to make human rights a reality. Since its establishment in 2018 following the departure of the then UN Peacekeeping mission in Liberia (UNMIL), OHCHR Liberia has been working with various stakeholders including the Ministry of youth, Ministry of justice, Ministry of gender and other government entities, Civil Society Organisations and youth-led groups, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights ( INCHR) , the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and other integrity institutions, as well as the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) to strengthen the country's human rights infrastructure and ensure meaningful participation of all in the protection of human rights. Context: One of the strategic approaches OHCHR uses in Liberia is to engage youth and ensure there are and remain agents of change and support prevention of human rights violations and protect human rights in their communities, online and offline. Under the Peace Building Fund Youth Promotion Initiative (which is ending in July 2026), OHCHR in Liberia has been engaging with young people and youth-led organizations to ensure they claim their civic space, their human rights and those of others in their communities. The population of Liberia is very youthful, with 63% and 79% below the ages of 25 and 35, respectively. Despite this population age structure, the civic space is very restrictive to the meaningful participation of the youth, especially the marginalised groups and young women. The restrictive civic space has often hindered the ability of youth-led organisations/networks to freely mobilise their peers to meaningfully participate in democratic governance processes, including elections, public discourse and hearings, and peacebuilding activities in the absence of the manipulation of politicians and other civic actors. Many young people lack access to information and communication technologies, limiting their ability to engage offline and through online platforms, thereby hindering their access to relevant information for civic participation. Many young people in Liberia need to be made aware of their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of civic engagement. OHCHR intends to continue to build on key achievements and results of the YPI Project to ensure continued support to youth -led organizations and to build the agency of grassroot, young men and young women from marginalised communities to have a voice and demand their rights to participation in all aspects of the civic spaces. Since 2024, OHCHR Liberia is supporting Liberia in the ongoing Transitional Justice (TJ) processes including the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court. The Office is leading the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) strategic support to the TJ process in the country. OHCHR is supporting the involvement of the youth in TJ process to ensure that they remain agents of change and support the country's efforts for accountability for past and current crimes. Task description: Under the supervision of the Country Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Conduct research and analysis of human rights trends and emerging issues, particular-ly those affecting young people's rights and digital civic space and translate findings in-to youth friendly digital content to raise awareness and promote informed offline and online engagements. Support the monitoring and reporting of human rights issues, including Economic, So-cial and Cultural Rights, while leveraging digital platforms and social media to amplify key findings and mobilize youth participation in advocacy and accountability efforts. Contribute to integrating human rights perspective into political, social and develop-mental initiative by engaging youth networks and digital communities to promote inclu-sive participation in national development and governance processes. Mainstream gender equality and the rights of women and girls across all activities by utilizing digital campaigns, online dialogues, and social media advocacy to elevate their voices and address gender-based discrimination and online harms. Follow up on human rights cases and situations, including violations and abuses, and support the dissemination of accurate and timely information through digital platforms to strengthen public awareness, youth engagement, and community response. Assist in designing and implementing human rights education and capacity-building program, including on digital rights, transitional justice, civic participation, corruption and Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), while fostering youth-led online advocacy and awareness initiative. Represent the UN Human Rights Office in relevant working-level meeting and en-gagements with youth organizations, digital influencer and online communities to strengthen partnerships for human rights promotion and protection. Contributing to drafting reports, briefings, communication and advocacy materials, and adapting key messages into accessible digital formats that empower young people to engage in human rights discourse and action. Support the implementation of initiatives that enhance youth leadership in digital rights, online civic engagement, and transitional justice and other human rights advocacy, while carrying out other duties assigned by the Representative or designated staff. Eligibility criteria Age: 18 - 80 Required experience: 3 years Donor priorities: - Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment. Additional eligibility criteria: This assignment is funded by the Government of the Republic of Ireland and therefore specific criteria apply: - Candidates must be Irish citizens or a European Economic Area nationals with an unrestricted right to reside in Ireland or have a declaration of refugee status from the Minister for Justice and Law Reform. APPLICATION - You may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the 'Additional remarks' field when filling in the application form. - Application deadline: 16 August 2026 SELECTION - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment. +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++ Assignment requirements Relevant experience: 3 years Languages: English, Level: Fluent, Required Required education level: Bachelor's degree in Human Rights, Law, International Relations, Political or other Social Sciences or other discipline related to Human rights Competencies and values: Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Integrity Knowledge Sharing Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams Skills and experience: Civic Space and Democracy Equity and non-discrimination Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. Skills in: Human Rights Research and Digital Content Development Digital Advocacy and Human Rights Monitoring Youth Engagement and Inclusive Governance Gender Equality and Online Inclusion Strategic Communication and Information Dissemination Human Rights Education and Capacity Building Partnership Building and Stakeholder Engagement Policy Analysis, Reporting, and Digital Communications Youth Leadership and Digital Civic Participation Area(s) of expertise: Disarmament, peacebuilding, rule of law, Human rights, Legal affairs Driving license: - Other information Tags human rights education human rights monitoring human rights officer volunteerism youth leaders Skills English Human Rights Research Digital Content Development Digital Advocacy Youth Engagement Gender Equality Strategic Communications Human Rights Education Stakeholder Engagement The recruiting organization, OHCHR - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, has not specified a closing date for this vacancy or continues to list jobs after their stated closing date. 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