Associate Human Rights Officer (Gender Equality)

Contract

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

The OHCHR Office in Uganda work covers five thematic areas:

Strengthening Rule of Law and Accountability for Human Rights Violations, Enhancing Equality and Countering Discrimination, Enhancing and Protecting Civic Space and People's Participation, Integrating Human Rights into Sustainable Development, Strengthened Engagement with the Human Rights Mechanisms

Uganda has ratified key international and regional human rights instruments including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa - and has strong legal protections against discrimination in the 1995 Constitution and domestic laws. It has also put in place national institutions with mandates to prevent and counter discrimination. However, inequalities and discrimination persist, impacting in particular women and girls, people with disabilities, those living with HIV/AIDS, people with albinism, indigenous peoples and LGBTI people. OHCHR supports Government institutions such as the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), the National Council for Disabilities, the Equal Opportunities Commission, local government and civil society organisations in their efforts to protect and promote the equal rights of all, and to monitor compliance with international obligations as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, this will be done through continued engagement in support of development and implementation of National Action Plans on indigenous peoples and on persons with albinism, capacity-building and joint monitoring and reporting among other activities.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Equality and Non-Discrimination Team and the overall guidance of the Head of the Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Supports the planning and organisation of activities related to equality and non-discrimination, including from a gender perspective, in line with the office annual work plan. • Conducts substantive research and analysis on issues of gender equality and non-discrimination and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in Uganda. • Collects and analyses human rights data and indicators in Uganda, including gender-specific data and indicators. • Contributes to the provision of programmatic and technical support to national institutions, including but not limited to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the National Council on Persons with Disabilities, in the implementation of joint actions; follows-up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies. • Assists in developing and implementing capacity building initiatives and training programmes for national institutions, journalists and civil society organisations on equality and countering discrimination in Uganda, with attention to gender perspectives. • Writes a variety of internal and external reports, communications, briefings, statements, including to policy-making bodies.

• Performs other related duties as required.

☒ Client Orientation ☒ Communication ☒ Integrity ☒ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Working in Teams

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in women’s human rights and gender equality • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda (4,000 feet) above sea level with a pleasant climate all year round which is uniformly warm and moderately humid, and temperatures that range between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. It presents relatively good living conditions with houses and apartments available to rent, and most economic and social amenities also available at affordable cost. There are a number of supermarkets and a wide variety of local markets that offer plenty of available fresh food stuffs of all kinds, and there are many restaurants. There are 2 international telecommunication systems and mobile banking facilities. Uganda has developing infrastructure with common challenges like power cuts and water rationing. All new staff undergo security briefing by United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who also provide regular security situation updates.