17 Human Rights Officer Interview Questions and Answers

Human rights officers promote and protect the human rights of individuals and groups. They work with governments, international organizations, and civil society groups to ensure that everyone enjoys the full range of human rights.

If you’re interested in becoming a human rights officer, you’ll need to have excellent research, writing, and communication skills. You should also be familiar with international human rights law and be able to use your skills to help others.

During a human rights officer interview, you’ll be asked questions about your skills, experience, and education. You may also be asked questions about your views on human rights issues. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample human rights interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a document that outlines the basic human rights that all people should be able to enjoy. Employers ask this question to see if you are familiar with the declaration and its importance in the field of human rights. In your answer, try to show that you understand the declaration and why it is important. You can also mention any ways you have used the declaration in your work before.

Example: “I am very familiar with the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I took a class on human rights in college where we studied the declaration extensively. The declaration is an important document because it outlines the basic human rights that everyone deserves to have. It has been instrumental in helping me do my job as a human rights officer at my current company. For example, when there was a dispute between two employees over who should get a promotion, I referred to the declaration to help settle the matter.”

What are some of the most common human rights violations that you have encountered in your previous work?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your experience with human rights violations and how you handled them. Use examples from your previous work to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to adapt to challenging situations and commitment to upholding human rights.

Example: “In my last position as a human rights officer for a large corporation, I encountered several instances of discrimination in the workplace. One instance involved an employee who made discriminatory comments about another employee’s race. When I learned of this incident, I immediately spoke with both employees separately to learn more about what happened. After speaking with both parties, I determined that the employee who made the comments was not aware of their meaning. I then worked with the employee who was offended to come up with a solution that would allow them to feel comfortable at work again.”

How would you handle a situation in which you have evidence of a violation, but the person you need to report it to is your direct superior?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to navigate challenging situations and make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization. In your answer, try to highlight your critical thinking skills and how you would use them to report violations without compromising your own position or authority.

Example: “In this situation, I would first consider whether there is any way I could handle the violation internally. If not, I would document all evidence and facts about the violation and present it to my superior along with a recommendation for action. Depending on the severity of the violation, I might also recommend reporting it to an external regulatory body.”

What is your process for investigating a claim of abuse or discrimination?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what methods you use to complete it. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for investigating claims of abuse or discrimination, including which tools or resources you use to gather information.

Example: “I first assess whether there is enough evidence to support the claim. If so, I then contact the accused party to request their side of the story. After that, I interview any witnesses who may have relevant information about the situation. Finally, I review all of my notes and supporting documents before making a decision on the case.”

Provide an example of a time when you successfully advocated for someone who was being treated unfairly.

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving and advocacy skills. Use examples from your past experience that highlight your ability to advocate for others, as well as your interpersonal communication skills.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with a client who was being treated unfairly by their employer. The client had been denied time off work due to an illness in their family. After speaking with my manager about the situation, we determined that the company’s policy did not allow for any exceptions. However, I decided to speak with the human resources department to see if there were any other options available. They informed me that they could offer unpaid leave, but it would be up to the discretion of the employee.

I spoke with the client again and explained the situation. They agreed to take the unpaid leave, and I followed up with them regularly to ensure they were doing okay. In the end, the company allowed them to return to work after two weeks.”

If you discovered that someone in your organization was committing a human rights violation, what would be your first course of action?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to make decisions and act quickly in a crisis. Use examples from past experience to show how you would respond to this situation, especially if it resulted in positive outcomes for yourself or others.

Example: “If I discovered that someone was committing a human rights violation, my first course of action would be to speak with them privately about their actions. If they were uncooperative, I would report them to my supervisor so we could take appropriate measures. In one instance at my last job, I noticed that an employee was being verbally abusive toward another coworker. I spoke with the offender privately and explained why their behavior was unacceptable. They apologized and promised not to repeat the offense.”

What would you do if you suspected that an employee was being mistreated by a superior?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to advocate for others. In your answer, describe a situation in which you helped someone who was being mistreated by their manager or supervisor.

Example: “In my last role as human rights officer, I received an email from one of our employees asking me if they could meet with me privately. When we met, she told me that her boss had been treating her unfairly. She said he would yell at her in front of other employees and make her feel like she wasn’t doing her job well. I asked her what she wanted to do about it, and she said she just wanted to know whether there was anything she could do to improve her performance so her boss wouldn’t treat her poorly.”

How well do you handle stress while completing demanding tasks?

Human rights officers often work in high-pressure environments. They must be able to handle stress while completing important tasks, such as investigating human rights violations and writing reports. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you were under pressure but still completed your task successfully.

Example: “I have worked in human rights for five years now, so I am used to working in stressful situations. However, there was one occasion where I had to write a report on the violation of several human rights at once. There were many interviews that needed to be transcribed, along with other research that needed to be conducted. It was definitely a challenging situation, but I managed to complete all my tasks within the deadline.”

Do you have any experience drafting reports on human rights violations?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and expertise in human rights violations. If you have relevant experience, share it with them. If not, you can explain that you are willing to learn how to draft reports on human rights violations if hired for the position.

Example: “I do have some experience drafting reports on human rights violations. In my last role as a human rights officer, I was responsible for monitoring all human rights violations within our jurisdiction. This included investigating claims of abuse and reporting back to senior management. I also helped train new officers on how to monitor human rights violations.”

When investigating a claim of abuse, how do you determine the credibility of the accuser?

This question can help the interviewer assess your critical thinking skills and ability to evaluate evidence. Your answer should demonstrate that you understand how to apply logic and reason when evaluating information, which is an important skill for human rights officers.

Example: “I always start by looking at the credibility of the accuser. If they are a credible person who has no history of lying or making false claims, I take their word as truth. However, if there’s any doubt about their credibility, I will look into their background and find out more about them. For example, if someone makes a claim against a government official but they have a criminal record, I would be skeptical of their claim. In this case, I would investigate further to determine whether the claim was valid.”

We want to increase our outreach to underprivileged communities. How would you go about doing this?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others. Showcase your communication, leadership and problem-solving skills by explaining how you would approach this task.

Example: “I think the first step in increasing outreach to underprivileged communities is to understand what barriers they face when trying to access our services. I would start by conducting a survey of current clients to find out where we can improve. Then, I would work with my team to develop new outreach strategies that are more inclusive. For example, we could offer free legal advice clinics at local community centers or churches.”

Describe your experience working with diverse groups of people.

Human rights officers often work with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working in a diverse environment. Use your answer to explain how you’ve managed to collaborate with people who are different than you. Share an example of a time when you helped resolve conflict between two groups of people.

Example: “I’ve worked for the past five years as a human rights officer at my local high school. In this role, I help students understand their rights while also teaching them about their responsibilities. One thing that makes my job challenging is that many of our students come from different cultural backgrounds. To help these students feel more comfortable, I hold monthly assemblies where they can learn about each other’s cultures. This helps them better understand one another and prevents conflicts.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for a human rights officer position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the role. They want someone who is passionate about human rights and equality. When you answer, share a few reasons why you are qualified for the position. You can also mention any relevant experience or education that makes you an ideal candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about equal rights for all people. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. In my previous job as a social worker, I helped families in crisis find resources they needed. One of my clients was a single mother who had been denied public assistance because she didn’t have a male figure in her life. I helped her appeal the decision and eventually got her the help she needed.”

Which human rights are you most passionate about?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what your interests are. It also helps them determine if there is a good fit between you and their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention human rights that are important to you personally or professionally.

Example: “I am passionate about all human rights, but I have a special interest in women’s rights. In my last role, I helped create an initiative for our company to support female entrepreneurs. We started by donating 10% of profits from one of our products to organizations that empower women. Eventually, we hope to expand this program to include more of our products.”

What do you think is the most important role that a human rights officer can play in an organization?

This question can help the interviewer understand your perspective on human rights and how you view your role in an organization. Use examples from your experience to explain what you think is most important about being a human rights officer, and try to show that you value this position.

Example: “I believe that the most important role of a human rights officer is to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and equally. I have seen many organizations where some people feel like they aren’t getting equal treatment or opportunities for advancement because of their gender identity, race or other factors. As a human rights officer, it’s my job to make sure everyone feels comfortable coming to me with any concerns they may have.”

How often do you update your knowledge of human rights laws and regulations?

This question can help the interviewer assess your commitment to human rights and how you keep up with current events. Your answer should show that you are passionate about human rights and willing to learn more about them as time goes on.

Example: “I am a big supporter of human rights, so I make it a point to stay informed about any new laws or regulations regarding human rights. For example, I recently learned about the UN’s recent resolution against child labor. This is something I would have never known about if I hadn’t been actively researching human rights news. I also subscribe to several newsletters from different organizations that support human rights.”

There is a conflict between two employees that you believe could be resolved peacefully. How do you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle interpersonal conflicts and whether or not you have experience resolving them. Use examples from your past to show that you are capable of handling conflict resolution in a professional manner.

Example: “In my previous role, there was an employee who would frequently make jokes about another employee’s race. The first time I heard this, I spoke with him privately and told him that his comments were inappropriate and could be considered harassment. He apologized and said he didn’t mean any harm by it. However, after hearing similar comments from him again, I had a conversation with him and let him know that if he continued making these comments, I would need to report him for harassment.”