Associate Human Rights Officer

Volunteering Legal

Overview

Support Human Rights initiatives and electoral processes in Kenya.

You have:

• At least three (3) years of professional experience at the national and/or international level in the fields of human rights, rule of law, peace and security, and/or conflict prevention is required.
• Solid knowledge of international human rights law and human rights mechanisms is required.
• Experience working on issues related to democratic space, electoral processes, prevention of electoral-related violence, and engagement with human rights defenders is highly desirable.
• Experience working on access to justice, accountability for human rights violations, including those involving security forces, and other rule of law-related issues is an asset.
• Experience working on women’s rights, gender-related issues, and the rights of marginalized or indigenous peoples is also desirable.
• Prior experience working in complex political or electoral contexts, including in Africa or comparable settings, would be considered an asset.
• Excellent communication, advocacy and written skills.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including human rights defenders, grassroots community members, women, LGBTI and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Contract

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OHCHR KCO is seeking one International UN Volunteer Specialist to strengthen its team. The position will have a strong focus on Human Rights, with particular emphasis on the Rule of Law, Accountability, and Peace and Security. The International UN Volunteer will support efforts aimed at the prevention of and response to social conflict during the electoral period, as well as the promotion of inclusive political participation and social cohesion, with special attention to youth, marginalized communities, and groups at heightened risk of electoral‑related violence and human rights violations.

Under the direct supervision of the coordinator of the assigned unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: · Gather information on the human rights situation in Kenya, including with a specific focus on the electoral context. This includes engaging with State authorities and insti-tutions, civil society organizations, other United Nations actors, and relevant stake-holders. · Participate in and conduct monitoring missions and report thereon. · Support the coordination of actions to further enhance the Office´s engagement on cross-cutting human rights issues related to prevention and early warning, including in the electoral context. · Coordinate actions to strengthen strategic partnerships with civil society organizations and platforms, youth organizations and State institutions responsible for public human rights policies. · Conduct mapping and monitoring of human rights situations, concerns and challenges in Kenya, including in the electoral context. · Contribute to the registration, documentation, and analysis of human rights concerns, violations, and abuses, in accordance with international human rights norms and standards, to support prevention and early warning efforts, particularly in the context of the electoral process. · Draft and contribute to a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights. · Maintain awareness of current human rights issues, including relevant political and legal developments in Kenya. · Support the design and delivery of technical assistance and capacity building to State institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders on human rights. · Participate in meetings, working groups, seminars, etc., on assigned thematic area(s); · Participate with other Human Rights Officers in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors with the aim of preventing human rights violations and/or seeking remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations in the future. · Liaise with government entities, NGOs, CSOs, UN agencies and other partners to support the development of baseline data on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups. · Support the planning, organization, and implementation of assigned activities under OHCHR projects, including the electoral project, in line with defined workplans and priorities. · Ensure the integration of a gender perspective and attention to gender and women’s human rights in all activities. · Perform other related duties as required.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Working in Team

Experience in: Human Rights

• At least three (3) years of professional experience at the national and/or international level in the fields of human rights, rule of law, peace and security, and/or conflict pre-vention is required. • Solid knowledge of international human rights law and human rights mechanisms is required. • Experience working on issues related to democratic space, electoral processes, pre-vention of electoral‑related violence, and engagement with human rights defenders is highly desirable. • Experience working on access to justice, accountability for human rights violations, including those involving security forces, and other rule of law–related issues is an as-set. • Experience working on women’s rights, gender‑related issues, and the rights of mar-ginalized or indigenous peoples is also desirable. • Prior experience working in complex political or electoral contexts, including in Africa or comparable settings, would be considered an asset.

Skills in:

• Excellent communication, advocacy and written skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills: culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including human rights defenders, grass-roots community members, women, LGBTI and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national person-nel. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines • Have affinity with or interest in the promotion and protection of the human rights of all, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya’s population of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. Nairobi, the capital and where this post is based, is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services, and educational facilities are readily available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel, mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both UNEP and UN-HABITAT.

The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse, and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment are modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location are a highland cool and warm tropical climate.

The Conditions of Service, available here: https://explore.unv.org/cos, outline the policies and rules governing UN Volunteer assignments. Full information on entitlements at the duty station can be accessed here: https://app.unv.org/calculator.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 days ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: unv.org