February 2014: The UN Secretary-General has announced an opening for the post of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, calling for applications and nominations to supplement his own search and consultations. The current High Commissioner is Navanethem (Navi) Pillay, whose term was renewed for two years in September 2012. The Secretariat said it especially welcomes applications from female candidates.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights – an appointment at the level of Under-Secretary-General – ensures that substantive and administrative support is given to the UN’s human rights programme, advises the Secretary-General, and represents the Secretary-General at human rights meetings. The appointment is for four years, and the post is renewable once.

Navi Pillay, a South African national, took up her current post in September 2008. Prior to her appointment, Pillay was the first non-white female judge to sit in the High Court of South Africa. She also served as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. In a recent statement at the eighth meeting of the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Pillay stressed SDGs must be built on the human rights principles of equity, equality and non-discrimination.

The announcement includes several specific criteria for candidates, and calls for applications by 17 March. [Vacancy announcement] [OHCHR Website] [Pillay Biography] [OHCHR Press Release on OWG 8] [Recent Appointments of Secretary-General]