Senior Officer

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) - Office of Administration and Institutional Affairs

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic and political advice to the Senior Officer regarding intergovernmental dynamics and the positions of Caribbean OAS Member States, by preparing situational analyses, stakeholder mapping, and forward-looking reports that help define institutional engagement approaches.

• Identify shared priorities and areas of cooperation between IACHR and Caribbean Member States.

• Prepare high-level political inputs for meetings between the IACHR Executive Secretariat and OAS political bodies regarding his/her subject matter expertise, such as draft interventions, key messages, strategic argumentation, preliminary agendas, and background notes.

• Serve as liaison with delegations of Caribbean Member States, assisting in organizing meetings, coordinating bilateral dialogues, and following up on commitments arising from these engagements.

• Assist in designing institutional positioning and political visibility strategies, contributing to the development of strategic communication materials, outreach documents, and messages tailored to diplomatic and political audiences.

• Assist in the development of targeted engagement strategies for Caribbean states by identifying opportunities for cooperation, potential challenges, and recommended approaches based on thorough political and institutional analysis.

• Support the identification and management of strategic relationships with government officials, diplomats, and observer representatives, facilitating constructive political dialogue and the exchange of information on institutional priorities.

• Advise on addressing sensitive or complex political situations, proposing diplomatic approaches, risk mitigation options, and political management strategies aligned with the IACHR's objectives and the Senior Officer's guidance.

• Draft analytical notes and reference documents on regional political trends and relevant intergovernmental processes, providing recommendations that inform strategic decision-making by the Executive Secretariat and strengthen effective articulation with OAS political bodies.

• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Executive Secretary, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the organization, including temporarily representing the Senior Officer in Charge of the OAAI in his/her absence on all matters related to OAS Member States, Observer States and OAS Political Bodies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE :

Essential:
First University Degree (Bachelor) in Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Law, Social Sciences, or a related field from a duly accredited institution and 11 years of relevant experience at the national and international level OR Advanced University Degree (Master) in one of the fields listed above and 7 years of progressively, responsible and relevant experience OR Doctorate and 4 years of relevant experience. Familiarity with human rights, judicial and socio-political issues in OAS Member States.

Desirable:
Experience or knowledge of the OAS mandates and priorities as related to the area of work and/or the dynamics of the Inter-American agenda and system.

Experience in political analysis and strategic advising within international or intergovernmental organizations, with skills to interpret political dynamics, engage with diplomatic and government actors, prepare reports, and manage politically sensitive situations, preferably with knowledge of the OAS and the IACHR.

LANGUAGES:

Essential
– Proficient in at least two of the official languages of the OAS (English, Spanish, French and Portuguese), (read, write and communicate).
Language proficiency examination will be required.

Desirable
– Working knowledge of other two OAS official languages.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES:
Client Orientation, Knowledge Sharing, Teamwork, Interpersonal Skills, Managing and Coaching Staff, Strategic Planning, Encouraging Innovation, and Decision Making/Judgment. Ability to clearly communicate in the languages required for the post.

The GS/OAS embraces equality, diversity and inclusion. Thus, the GS/OAS, in accordance with its rules and regulations, is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, achieving a diverse staff, and will take into account a wide geographic representation, as well as gender equity and equality, in the selection of candidates.

In accordance with paragraph f. of Article 44 of the General Standards, the official languages of the Organization are English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. No candidate for a position in the General Secretariat subject to the competition requirement shall be contracted until he/she has passed language proficiency exams administered by the DHR in at least two of the official languages. Nevertheless, i) Any candidate, including staff member whose native language is one of those four languages shall only be required to demonstrate proficiency on an exam in one of the others; and (ii) Persons applying for G-1 and G-2 positions at Headquarters and G-3 driver/clerk positions in those Offices of the General Secretariat in the Member States where the language requirement unduly restricts the recruitment of otherwise qualified staff shall be exempt from this language proficiency requirement for as long as they occupy those positions. Subsequently, in order to be eligible to compete for a higher-level position, any staff member who has benefited from this exemption must demonstrate proficiency in a second official language of the Organization. (iii) A person selected as the best candidate may receive a fixed-term contract, which will be considered to have lapsed in case the person does not pass the required language examination within the 36 months following the appointment.

Please note that the mandatory retirement age for staff members at the General Secretariat of the OAS is 65 years.

Benefits:

• Compensation:

Professional Category: Remuneration = Basic Salary + Post Adjustment

Net of taxes for non-US citizens

• US citizens tax reimbursement: US Citizens are reimbursed for most taxes paid on OAS remuneration.

• Paid Annual Leave: 21 days from 1st year. Increase to 30 days within 5 years.

• Sick Leave and Parental Leave.

• Health Insurance: OAS pays 2/3 of premium.

• Pension and Savings Plans: In addition to salary, OAS contributes 14% of pensionable remuneration to a Retirement and Pension Plan. Staff contribute 7%.

• Additional benefits (dependent on contract type): Mobilization allowance, repatriation grant, language allowance home leave travel, dependency allowance, life insurance.