UN Human Rights Officer Jobs 2026: P-3, P-4 and P-5 Opportunities with OHCHR

Overview

The United Nations is inviting qualified human rights professionals to apply for three Human Rights Officer opportunities at the professional levels of P-3, P-4, and P-5 within the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. These positions belong to the Political, Peace and Humanitarian job network and the Human Rights Affairs job family. They are recruited as generic job openings to create rosters of qualified candidates who may subsequently be considered for vacancies across United Nations locations, including regional and country presences and peacekeeping operations.

The Human Rights Affairs job family covers five areas of specialization, which include general human rights, human rights adviser, gender adviser, legal adviser, and human rights and protection of civilians specialist. Candidates who successfully enter the roster may apply for vacancies corresponding to these specialties during their roster membership, subject to applicable United Nations Secretariat recruitment and roster procedures.

Requirements

Applicants for the P-3 position are expected to have an advanced university degree such as a master's degree 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 university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in place of an advanced degree. Additionally, a minimum of five years of experience in human rights or related fields such as political affairs, public affairs, or development is required.

Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of international human rights law, norms, and standards, experience drafting human rights reports and policy documents, and the ability to integrate human rights-based approaches, gender equality, women's empowerment, and the principle of leaving no one behind into their work. Knowledge of regional and international human rights mechanisms is also required.

Key dates

The job openings were posted on October 1, 2026. The application deadline for all three positions is October 30, 2026.