Human Rights and Monitoring Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has established its Regional Of-fice for Central Asia (ROCA) in Bishkek in 2008. ROCA works to assist governments, national hu-man rights institutions, civil society and the international community in the region to promote and protect human rights.

Under the supervision of the OHCHR Regional Representative for Central Asia, the National UN Volunteer/Human Rights and Monitoring Specialist (hereinafter: NUNV) will be responsible:

• Monitoring and reporting on relevant human rights issues, including their impact on the human rights situation in the region, in person and through media monitoring (including social media). • Human rights monitoring, in person and/or by remote, including of emblematic human rights cases, in close coordination with national human rights institutions, civil society partners, lawyers, other stakeholders. • Dealing with incoming individual complaints, including but not limited to by maintaining a database, drafting replies, meeting with applicants as delegated. • Legal analysis, including of the implementation of criminal justice provisions. • Assisting in planning, designing and implementing capacity-building and other activities in the region; • Perform other 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.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active OHCHR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OHCHR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Research and analysis on human rights issues, including through regular reporting, as well as legal analysis upon request. • Well organized and maintained human rights database, and coherent, efficient, and traceable filing of incoming complaints and recommendations for action. • Planned, designed and implemented capacity building activities. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• 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.

In human rights, political affairs, law or related areas is required. • Knowledge of human rights and rule of law issues in Kyrgyzstan. • Experience in running case management systems/data bases (e.g. Excel). • Experience in monitoring and documenting human rights issues, including ability to draft coherent, high-quality written products. • Maturity, excellent inter-personal, and negotiation skills. • Ability to work under pressure, delivering on tight deadlines and to handle multiple tasks. Desirable: • Project management experience, including in international organizations, such as the UN, or other regional or international intergovernmental/non-governmental organizations Knowledge of national legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic, in particular in the area of criminal justice. • Knowledge of the UN human rights system, including UN Human Rights Mechanisms. • Excellent computer skills.

Language Skills • Fluency in Russian required • Working level in English required

Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Osh, is administrative centre of the southwestern Kyrgyzstan and capital of the Osh province, near the border with Uzbekistan. Osh is located in heart of the historically famous Ferghana valley.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are covered by the CIGNA insurance plan.

Kyrgyzstan is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment. It is considered as one of the open country in Central Asia and this fact makes a big sense for development work. The culture of Kyrgyzstan is heavily influenced by the traditions from nomadic life. Kyrgyz culture features influences from Russia, Persia, and Turkey, but yet remains something entirely unique. Nature influences are prominent, from the designs to the music, and many traditions reflect the fact that nomads lived closely with nature.