Deadline: May 5, 2026
The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.
During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.
As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.
About the Role
Job Title: Human Rights Analyst
Duty Station: Lilongwe, Malawi
Contract Duration: 1 year FTA, renewable at least once subject to satisfactory performance, recommendation by respective office and partner country agreement
As part of its interventions, UNDP contributes to the national vision by supporting the accessibility, affordability and acceptability of rule of law services and the protection of human rights, informed by a coherent theory of change and carefully designed activities to achieve outputs and contribute to outcome level change that impacts the lives of ordinary Malawians.
The Human Rights Analyst will support the enhancement of the capacities of the various justice and security institutions, strengthening access to justice, security and protection services, especially for vulnerable groups including the LGBTQI population, women, children, persons with albinism, persons affected by climate and environmental disasters and persons with disabilities.
The Human Rights Analyst will be responsible for ensuring support and provision of technical advice for the achievement of Pillar targets and results. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Programme Support Unit and other project teams, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, implementing partners, donors, beneficiaries and civil society in order to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of Pillar activities.
Benefits
The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:
- Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
- Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
- On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
- Career development support mechanisms and activities
- Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
- Mentoring programme
- Other training and learning opportunities
Eligibility
- Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Law, International Human Rights, Development Studies or other Social Sciences is required.
- Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
- A minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) of paid working experience with human rights institutions, government institutions or similar institutions is required.
- Experience in producing high quality reports is required.
- Experience in conceptualizing, developing, planning and managing programme interventions, as well as transfering knowledge and skills is required.
- Experience using Microsoft programmes including Excel, PowerPoint and Word is required.
- Experience in international human rights systems and mechanisms is desired.
- Experience promoting human rights especially for vulnerable groups is desired.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Eligible nationalities:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia.
Application
Applications can only be submitted online through the Online Web Application tool (OWA) of the UN/DESA Office in Rome. Each candidate can apply for a maximum of two JPO positions.
The application deadline is Tuesday, 5 May 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (CET / Italian local time).
For more information, visit UNDP JPO.
