Associate Human Rights Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The OHCHR Cambodia Country Office is one of oldest field presences of OHCHR. It is based in the capital city of Phnom Penh. It currently has 23 staff members. In fulfilling its mandate to promote and protect human rights, the Country Office is focusing on the following five thematic areas: - Strengthening international human rights mechanisms, - Enhancing participation and protecting civic space, - Progressive realization of economic and social rights, - Enhancing equality and countering discrimination, - Strengthening the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Representative, and in close coordination with programmatic units as relevant, the UN Volunteer will support the OHCHR Cambodia Office work on the promotion and protection of human rights.

In particular, the UN Volunteer 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) to keep abreast of issues/events 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. • Undertakes legal research on various topics relating to thematic areas of focus of the Office; • Participate in the monitoring work conducted by the Office and assist in drafting the monitoring reports; • Draft a variety of reports and correspondence relating to human rights matters. • Contribute to the preparation of conferences and workshops; • Take notes during meetings and events and assist in drafting the respective reports; • Proofread and compile reports and materials in English for distribution during events; • Participates in human rights training programmes for national law enforcement officials, representatives of the civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to promote national capacity building. • Reviews human rights issues, including their gender dimensions, and participates in discussions with other Human Rights Officers (HROs) on the integration of these issues into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programmes. • Participates with other HROs in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations or seeks other remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future. • Liaises with government, NGOs, Civil Society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation, with special attention to vulnerable groups. • Designs and maintains database to track project progress. • Performs other related duties as required.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment and Motivation Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Integrity Judgement and Decision-making Professionalism Respect for Diversity Technological Awareness Working in Teams

law, human rights, governance and related fields;

Experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship), especially in a relevant field would be highly regarded;

Excellent written and oral communications skills, including experience in drafting and presenting in professional English.

The climate of Cambodia is tropical, monsoonal and is characterized by heat and humidity. The rainy season lasts from May to October and the hot, dry season from November until April. Houses and apartments are available to suit most budgets and preferences. House hunting is not difficult in Phnom Penh. The usual means of locating suitable accommodation is through estate agents/realtors. International UN Volunteers are required to follow the UN residential security requirements as per the local Residential Security Measures (RSM) when choosing their accommodation.

There are few taxi operators in Phnom Penh, so for daily transportation the cheapest, fastest and most frequent mode of travel is by a tuk-tuk (a motor-powered rickshaw) or motodop (you sit behind a driver of a motorbike). Some UN volunteers chose to purchase their own mode of transportation, be it a car, a motorbike or a pushbike. They are strictly recommended by UN security to wear seatbelts in cars and helmets when traveling on motorbikes, motodops or bicycling.

In terms of health, common diseases in Cambodia are those which exist in other tropical countries like diarrhoea, malaria, dengue and HIV/AIDS. Most of the serious cases have been reported contracted in hilly, rural and densely forested areas. City dwellers like in Phnom Penh can also be at risk due to poor disposal of waste. Generally, in cities, people use purified water for drinking and cooking. The recommended vaccinations are those against typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and Japanese Encephalitis.

While medical facilities in Cambodia are sufficient for the treatment of most routine ailments and minor accidents, illnesses and accidents of more serious nature require medical evacuation, usually to Bangkok or Singapore