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.

On the 17th of October 2023, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted Resolution A/HRC/RES/54/30 entitled “Penitentiary system, security, and justice: Enhancement of technical cooperation and capacity building to protect human rights in Honduras”, that further expands the mandate of the OHCHR Country Office in these areas.

OHCHR-Honduras is seeking four International UN Volunteers to consolidate its team. One position will focus on the protection of human rights defenders, freedom of expression and the democratic space, the second on economic, social and cultural rights, with a specific focus on gender, women’s rights and indigenous and Afro-Honduran peoples human rights, and the third and fourth one will focus on technical assistance and monitoring on the human rights situation in the security, justice and penitentiary system.

Under the direct supervision of the coordinator of the assigned unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteers will undertake the following tasks:

•Gather information on the human rights situation related to the assigned thematic area(s) (inclusive of legislation, policies, and programmes), including through contacts with State authorities and institutions, civil society, other United Nations actors, and other stakeholders; •Participate in and conduct monitoring missions and report thereon; •Receive complaints of alleged human rights violations, interview victims and advise them and/or their families on possible courses of action; •Document allegations of human rights violations and abuses, including by registering them in the OHCHR’s database; •Contribute to the analysis of human rights concerns, violations and abuses in light of international human rights norms and standards, including with the objective of contributing to prevention and early warning; •Draft and contribute to a variety of reports and correspondence relating to assigned thematic area(s); •Support the design and delivery of technical assistance and capacity building to State institutions, civil society, and other stakeholders on the assigned thematic area to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights in the country; Participate in meetings, working groups, seminars, etc., on assigned thematic area(s); •Contribute to the implementation of the OHCHR strategy on penitentiary, security and justice matters, in line with Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/54/30; •Contribute to the development and implementation of OHCHR’s strategy in relation to the assigned thematic area; •Ensure the integration of a gender perspective and attention to gender and women’s and indigenous and Afro Honduran peoples human rights in all activities; •Perform other related duties as required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: •Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); •Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; •Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; •Contribute with articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; •Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; •Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. •Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application

Results/Expected Outputs: As an active OHCHR-Honduras team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OHCHR-Honduras and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

•The protection of individuals and groups at risk is strengthened as a result of the monitoring and analysis of the human rights situation related to assigned thematic area(s); •Good rapport is established with relevant counterparts in State institutions, the UN system and civil society organizations, as well as with victims of human rights violations and other stakeholders; •Documents (reports, inputs, correspondence, etc.) are well drafted and include quality analysis of human rights concerns grounded in international human rights law; •Cases of human rights violations and abuses are documented, analysed and duly recorded; •The capacity of State institutions, civil society and other stakeholders to promote and protect human rights is strengthened through the provision of quality technical assistance; •Good ability to organize and conduct monitoring missions and human rights trainings; •Expertise in the assigned thematic area(s) is enhanced. •The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); •Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective are systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment •A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the as-signment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

•Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take own-ership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confi-dentially; responsive and client-oriented.

•Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

•Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work envi-ronment.

•Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priori-ties and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

•Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious work-ing relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversi-ty and gender;

•Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presenta-tions, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommenda-tions; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

•Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of opera-tions; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

•Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes sol-idarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

professional work at the national and/or international level in the fields of human rights, rule of law and/or conflict prevention is required; experience working in or knowledge of the Latin American region would be an asset. Solid knowledge of international human rights law and mechanisms is required.

•Experience working with human rights defenders and on issues related to the democratic space is desired. •Experience working on access to justice, accountability for human rights violations of security forces, on penitentiary system situation and other rule of law issues is desired. Experience working on women’s rights and gender-related and indigenous people issues is desired. •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, grassroots 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 personnel. •Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight dead-lines. •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.

Computer skills:
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) is required. Experience entering, managing, and analysing large quantities of data/case information, including in databases, is desirable.

Honduras is a tropical country in the middle of central America, bordered to the north with the Caribbean Sea, to the south with El Salvador, to the west with Guatemala and to the East with Nicaragua. Climate varies, but is fairly moderate with regular sunshine making temperatures climb from 15- 20 C (59-68 F) to up around 28 C (low 82F) during the middle of the day. Rainfall is quite low to moderate with a patchy wet season from May to October. Low-land and coastal regions experience less of a temperature range with warmer nights and slightly less rainfall.

The threat against UN system staff members from political activity is considered low. The threat from common criminal elements is considered highly critical in certain areas of the country. Violent crime is a serious and growing problem, especially in certain zones of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and to a lesser degree throughout the country. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities at tourist sites, especially in parts of Comayaguela and the central market surroundings of Tegucigalpa. Highway, road and street robberies, carjacking and assaults of pedestrians by armed thieves are still high. Roadblocks and demonstrations on the main highways and border countries customs offices have decreased. In the past, demonstrations have ended in street violence, requiring intervention by national police, for which precaution is requested. Threats against the public transportation system by gangs have been reported in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, supposedly related to Organized Crime, for which caution should be maintained at all times on the street. A security briefing will be provided upon arrival to provide all the information and recommendations to take in consideration in the daily life and areas in which it will be recommended to search for an apartment.

Tegucigalpa is a family duty station and the office is close to some restaurants, malls and the main hotels of the city. Visitors are specially advised to protect against mosquitoes bites in affected areas, due to insect-borne diseases such as Malaria and Dengue Fever (both serious, potentially fatal diseases). In general mosquitoes in Honduras are most bothersome from dusk to dawn, especially in the countryside. Other infectious diseases are common such as Diarrhea, Amoebic and food. Some specific health cares must be considered especially hygienic practices avoid eating in places where cleaning is not ensured and pay special attention to the hygiene of fruits and vegetables, wash fruits and vegetables carefully if you eat them raw or peel them before eating.