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.

The Resident Coordinator’s Office and United Nations Country Team in Zambia hosts a Human Rights Advisor who serves as an additional capacity specialized in human rights with the role of coordination, support and provision of enabling services, ensuring the provision of optimal support to Government, and other partners including national human rights institutions and civil society, in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The primary role of Human Rights Advisor (HRA) is to support the UNRC and the UNCT in promoting all human rights (civil, cultural, economic, political and social including the Right to Development) as a common UN value and upholding international norms and standards through: advocacy and awareness-raising; technical support to integrate human rights into programmes and activities; support for the active engagement with the work of the human rights mechanisms (Universal Periodic Review, Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures); support to building and strengthening national capacities and institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The Assistant Human Rights Officer will support the work of the Human Rights Advisor as articulated above, specifically the implementation of the human rights sections of the RCO/UNCT work plan and OHCHR’s country programme and work plan for Zambia.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Human Rights Advisor, and overall supervision of the Resident Coordinator, the Assistant Human Rights Officer will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide support to the implementation of the RCO/UNCT and OHCHR country program and human rights work plans, including follow-ups on the implementation of decisions rendered by policymaking organs; • Assist in monitoring progress of various thematic phenomena through research, compilation, analysis, and reporting of information from Government, IGOs, UN agencies, funds, and programmes, as well as NGOs and individuals, and other sources; • Assist with in-country outreach, capacity-building, and development and/or strengthening of human rights networks, preparation and participation in missions, drafting of mission reports and follow-ups on implementation of recommendations; • Prepare correspondence with Government, IGOs, UN agencies, funds and pro-grammes, as well as NGOs and individuals and other interlocutors; • Draft presentations as necessary; • Assist in drafting reports, including High Commissioner reports to inter-governmental bodies; • Liaise with the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) and other OHCHR thematic and geographic desk officers on human rights mechanisms; • Liaise with representatives of Government, IGOs, UN agencies, funds, and programmes, as well as NGOs and individuals in connection with the assignment; • Participate in UNCT meetings relating to the assignment; • Performs any other duties as assigned.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Teams

providing strategic support to development coordination, project/programme management, donor relations and reporting on human rights; • Knowledge of the UN International human rights standards and mechanisms; • Experience in the application of international human rights law, standards and protections mechanisms is highly desirable; • Experience with the UN is an asset, as is experience working in other international development organizations.

Zambia is a landlocked, middle-income country with a population estimated at 18 million. Lusaka became the capital city of Zambia in May 1935. Lusaka’s central position in Zambia and its pleasant climate were two of the main reasons for its selection as the capital. It is a metropolis, which provides a home to about two and half million (2.5M) inhabitants of different nationalities. It has grown to become the seat of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and as such all diplomatic missions, international organizations, industrial and commercial entities are based there. Its political, social, economic and cultural significance has also increased through the years.

Public transport is provided by private operators using minibuses and taxis. The bus routes are not mapped, and roads are often congested. Good modern housing for rent is available on the open market. The official language is English, which is widely spoken. The country is generally food secure, with sufficient local fresh fruits and vegetables available in the markets, as well as various dairy, poultry and meat products. There are several international schools using the Cambridge GCSE or IGCSE syllabi, from key stage one through to A levels. Health conditions are generally good, although malaria is endemic. Zambia is generally a safe place to live in, although not free of crime. Some prudence is required. For more info, visit: http://www.zambiatourism.com.