A/HRC/16/35
Rights, the Human Rights Council and the Joint Inspection Unit have made use of the
concept of geographical diversity by regional grouping when assessing the composition of
the staff of OHCHR.6 This difference in approach, terminology and methodology from
those described in the report of the Secretary-General on the composition of the Secretariat
(A/65/350) has made comparison of data problematic. While being bound by the resolution
of the General Assembly on this matter, the High Commissioner has, in order to facilitate a
consistent and coherent discussion in the present report, continued to make occasional
reference to the regional methodology used by the Human Rights Council and the Joint
Inspection Unit in the analysis of the geographical diversity of OHCHR.
13.
Improving the geographical diversity of OHCHR staff remains one of the High
Commissioner’s priorities. In line with that objective, OHCHR has continued to vigorously
implement the High Commissioner’s procedures and framework for improving
geographical diversity, in full compliance with Secretariat human resources policies, which
were explained in detail to the Commission on Human Rights in February 2006
(E/CN.4/2006/103).
14.
The impact of the implementation of the above-mentioned procedures can be seen
clearly in the overall geographical diversity of OHCHR. An analysis of the data contained
in the table below, using the methodology employed by the Joint Inspection Unit, shows a
steady, continuous and significant increase in the percentage of OHCHR staff from regions
identified as requiring better representation within OHCHR over the past four years.
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights by region
OHCHR all
31 December 2006
31 December 2007
Region
No.
Per cent
Africa
44
11.1
55
Asia
47
11.9
Latin America
and Caribbean
38
Eastern Europe
Western Europe
and other
Total
No. Per cent
31 December 2008
31 December 2009
No.
Per cent
13.1
64
13.9
65
53
12.6
61
13.3
9.6
50
11.9
53
13
3.3
20
4.8
253
64.1
241
395
100
419
31 December 2010
No. Per cent
No.
Per cent
13.8
69
14.5
64
13.6
75
15.8
11.5
62
13.2
65
13.7
23
5.0
27
5.7
33
6.9
57.5
259
56.3
253
53.7
234
49.1
100
460
100
471
100
476
100
17.
OHCHR remains committed to implementing the High Commissioner’s procedures
and framework for improving geographical diversity (E/CN.4/2006/103), which has proven
effective to date. Current measures have included expanding the pool of qualified
candidates from the widest possible range of countries and backgrounds, and developing
closer collaboration in recruitment and outreach activities with United Nations country
teams, OHCHR field offices, Permanent Missions in Geneva, other United Nations entities
and local partners in the field. It is therefore anticipated that the positive geographical trend
will continue during the current biennium.
18.
While seeking to improve further its geographical distribution, OHCHR will
continue to pay special attention to the issue of balance between female and male staff
6
4
A/59/65-E/2004/48 and Add.1, A/61/115 and Add.1, A/62/845 and Add.1, and A/64/94 and Add.1.
GE.11-10395
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