Associate in Human Rights

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.

OHCHR-Colombia was established, upon request of the Commission on Human Rights and the initiative of the Government of Colombia, on 29 November 1996 by an Agreement between the Government of Colombia and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, (E/CN.4/1997/11). OHCHR has been present in Colombia since 1997. OHCHR-Colombia operates from the capital city, Bogotá, and nine offices across the country. It implements a comprehensive strategy that includes:1) monitoring of the human rights situation with a view to advising authorities in formulating and implementing policies, programmes and measures to promote and protect human rights, also in the context of violence, including through the presentation of annual reports on the human rights situation in Colombia to the Human Rights Council; 2) cooperation and technical assistance and advice to the Government to promote respect and observance of human rights and international humanitarian law in Colombia; 3) provision of technical assistance and advice to civil society and non-governmental human rights organizations and individuals, and 4) promotion of human rights to the general public and dissemination of information on international human rights and humanitarian law standards.

The historical Peace Agreement signed in November 2016, by the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) has provided OHCHR with additional responsibilities on a wide range of human rights related components. This includes to monitor and report on public policies for the dismantling of criminal organizations and protecting human rights defenders, security for FARC members as they transition from ex combatants to fully fledged political party members, case review of detained FARC members, and accompanying victims in their search for truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Coordinator of the field presence and the overall coordination of the OHCHR Deputy Representative, the UN Volunteer contributes to the following tasks:

• Facilitate the implementation of Office mandate in the designated area of responsibility (AOR); • Assist in monitoring, reporting and analyzing the human rights situation from a given thematic priority and geographical responsibility; • In close coordination with the field office coordinator, prepare and support fact-finding field missions including the timely drafting of reports and follow-up; • Support follow-up on individual cases and issues with authorities with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations or seeking remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future; • Support in establishing and maintaining good relationships with key stakeholders such as government representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, human rights defenders, UN agencies and other partners operating in the AOR; • Assist in the preparation of and conducting human rights capacity-building activities and in developing and implementing human rights training programmes; • Support in providing technical assistance and strategic advice in human rights, gender equality, and compliance with international standards to key stakeholders, including government representatives and civil society; • Contribute to and/or draft various reports, communications, briefing notes, statements or other products; • Ensure the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into the established database; conduct quality control and deliver statistics and trend reports as required; • Integrating gender and ethnic perspectives, with specific attention to issues related to women and girls, including conflict related sexual violence, within all assigned human rights activities; • Help with occasional basic administrative tasks when needed; • Perform other related duties as required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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 instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute 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.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OHCHR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OHCHR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and OHCHR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • 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 environment. • 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 priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OHCHR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

a field related to human rights and international humanitarian law. • Experience in human rights monitoring, analysis and reporting is required. • Excellent knowledge of international human rights instruments and tools for the promotion and protection of human rights is required. • Experience in working with and providing technical assistance to state security forces and law enforcement agencies on human rights and gender is an asset. • Experience in working on protection and promotion of economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights is desirable. • Experience working on gender-based violence is desirable. • Experience in women rights and/or collective rights is desirable. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting is an asset. • Previous experience in Latin America is an asset. • 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. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Have affinity with or interest in human rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Colombia is a large country (1,141,748 km2); its population stands at 52 million. Cúcuta is the capital of the department of Norte de Santander and has 1,346,806 inhabitants, (DANE 2018). It is located in the northeastern region of Colombia. Norte de Santander shares a physical border with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in at least 10 of its 40 municipalities and is an obligatory passage for people passing through or staying in its territory, including the Colombian population and those coming from Venezuela.

It provides an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a high cultural sensitivity, as well as greater energy and commitment than elsewhere to live comfortably and affordably. Consequently, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially dangerous conditions, involving physical hardship and discomfort, become essential.

Upon entry, all UNVs receive a security briefing from the UNDP security office, in which they are informed about the security environment of the Duty Station, the security measures to be taken into account and are supported in securing their living quarters.