World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva
Human Rights Adviser
Deadline for application: 23 September 2013

WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

In the 21st century, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care and collective defence against transnational threats.

The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) aims to promote and support an expanded global effort to enable people to protect their own health as it relates to sexuality and reproduction and to have access to and receive health services when needed. To achieve this, the Department advocates and promotes sound public health strategies, sets norms and standards, and supports relevant research. HRP is the main instrument within the United Nations system for promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating interdisciplinary research on reproductive health; for collaborating with countries in
enhancing national capacities to conduct this research; for promoting the use of research results in policy-making and planning for reproductive health care; and for the setting of standards and guidelines, including ethical guidelines, in the field of reproductive health research.

WHO is currently emplyoing a Human Rights Adviser to examine and conduct research on the legal and policy environment affecting the realization of sexual and reproductive health, to foster the promotion and protection of human rights related to sexual and reproductive health; to ensure that the work of WHO in the areas of sexual and reproductive health is in line with international human rights agreements, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Duties
The Human Rights Adviser
• Carries out research and normative work, works in collaboration with staff of the Department, WHO Regional and Country Offices as well as national governments on the implementation of rights-based approaches to the achievement of sexual and reproductive health.
• Provides assistance to countries, as well as to Regional and Country Offices, on the analysis of current laws and policies as well as the development of appropriate laws and policies in support of sexual and reproductive health.
• In coordination with Regional Offices, advises and assists countries in the development of appropriately adapted, technically sound guidelines and materials for effective implementation of human rights approaches to sexual and reproductive health.
• Provides WHO input to the monitoring and reporting process of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) within the Organization and in the context of interagency collaboration; coordinates WHO input and provides technical advice to CEDAW and its Secretariat, and assists the Committee in the formulation of practical and feasible recommendations.
• Supports the effective implementation and monitoring of relevant international treaties and codes of conduct, and supports the integration into national legislation, policies and programmes of such agreements.
• Identifies women's rights research and policy needs in the area of sexual and reproductive health and advises the Director and Team Coordinators on the application of human rights in the development of research and programme priorities and strategies.
• Plans and develops Departmental strategies to build global research and technical
capacity to apply human rights in the development of national policies and programmes on sexual and reproductive health, within the context of the HRP Academic Alliance. (8) Builds and strengthens partnerships, particularly with other UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations, to ensure maximum synergy and effectiveness of activities in the area of human rights related to sexual and reproductive health.

Education
• Advanced university degree in international law with a focus on sexual and reproductive
health/women's health (essential).
• Academic qualification in the health field (desirable).

Skills
• In-depth knowledge of all aspects of human rights related to sexual and reproductive health and other aspects of women's health. Thorough knowledge of the UN Human Rights system, reporting procedures and mechanisms of interaction with intergovernmental organizations. Strong interpersonal skills. Excellent presentation and writing skills. Research and analytical skills as evidenced by a considerable record of publication in peer-review.

Competences
• Producing results
• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Experience
• At least 7 years' experience, including working at the international level, with a focus on human rights related to sexual and reproductive health.
• Experience in the application of rights-based approaches.
• Relevant experience in legislation and policy analysis and development.

Languages
• Expert knowledge of English.

Application
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. The deadline for application is 23 September 2013.