Assistant Human Rights Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Description of task

Under the direct supervision of the Human Rights Officer in charge of the Emergency Response Team in the OHCHR Regional Office for Southern Africa, the NUNV will undertake the following tasks:

• Researches and collects information pertaining to human rights matters, including their gender dimensions, from a variety of data sources (e.g. communications, publications, the press) and through remote monitoring to keep abreast of relevant issues/events in the Southern Africa Region and provide up-to-date information;
• Assists in the analysis of information, to include the impact on the countries and thematic mandates on the human rights situation in assigned area, with a focus on vulnerable groups, and supports the development of early warning analysis and the identification of preventative measures to address human rights protection needs;
• Participates in meetings and consultations; prepare summaries of results/outcomes;
• Reviews human rights issues, including their gender dimensions, and participates in discussions with other Human Rights Officers on the integration of these issues into political, humanitarian and socio-economic efforts and programmes;
• Work on civic space and participation in relation to early warning, prevention and early action measures in relation to civil society actors and human rights defenders;
• Drafts a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters;
• Performs other related duties as required.

Educational additional comments

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, conflict and development studies, peace and security, human rights or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience remark

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (minimum 3 years) in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. Experience working with international human rights standards, instruments and mechanisms is desirable. Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting and/or in building capacity for the promotion and protection of human rights is desirable. Internships and voluntary work may be considered at 50% if deemed relevant. Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Language skills

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise details

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Competencies values

Communication, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism

Application procedure

• Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool? Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply. * Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool? Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply. Application deadline: 05 September 2021