Human Rights Assistant

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 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has an international mandate to protect refugees, persons who have fled their country of origin due to well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or belonging to a particular social group. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people.

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Panama provides support to refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people in Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Curacao, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. MCO Panama works in close collaboration with Governments, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, civil society as well as host communities, in other to help forcibly displaced people find safety and rebuild their lives. The MCO Panama office covers several humanitarian situations, including but not limited to: the regional Venezuelan refugees and migrants situation in Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao, Guyana; the Nicaraguan refugees and asylum seekers situation in Panama, the Colombian refugees and asylum seekers situation in Panama, and the refugees and asylum seekers situation in Belize, Cuba, Suriname and Nicaragua.

Darien is Panama’s largest and poorest province. Bordering Colombia, the province hosts a 60-mile-deep jungle, the only breaking point of the Pan-American highway, linking the continent from south to north. Despite being one of the most dangerous jungles in the world, Darien is a transit location for thousands of refugees and migrants, most of them coming from Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba, and African and South Asian nations. According to official statistics of the National Migration Service (SNM), from 2010 to 2020, some 120,000 people crossed through this area. Panama has been facing an unprecedented mixed movement crisis in the last years, with over 520,000 people making this perilous journey through the jungle and entering the country irregularly in 2023 alone. Considering the magnitude of the current crisis, UNHCR increased its presence with a Field Unit and will seek to increase the support to the emergency response to the Government within the Temporary Reception Centers.

The Human Rights Assistant assumes different roles, contacts, and liaisons, including: liaison with the local government stakeholders, such as Migration in charge of the temporary reception centers in close coordination with the support of the National Borders Service (Servicio Nacional de Fronteras), And supporting UNHCR in the management, coordination of assistance and services, participation at the reception centers, and coordinate actions with other organizations, partner agency, and community representation groups.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Head of Field Office in direct collaboration with the Ombudsperson Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Human Rights Assistant will:

• Interviews and analysis of files • Provide assistant and counseling on human rights matters to local population. • Draft and process reported situations. • Carry out steps or procedures before administrative, civil or judicial authorities in order to support the investigations and guidance given to petitioners, as part of the actions of the ombudsman's office. • Contact users whenever required to inform them about the status and/or progress of their complaint, as well as to attend to them personally. • On-site inspections and preparation of evaluative reports • Periodically monitor the Temporary Migratory Reception Stations (ETRM), located in San Vicente and Lajas Blancas, the reception/transit communities, as well as any other space or community where people in transit through Panama as part of Mixed Movements or people with international protection needs transit or are sheltered. • Submit reports on the number of persons present, disaggregated by nationality, gender, and age. • Identify persons in need of international protection and refer them to the corresponding authorities and/or other organizations in the field for due attention to situations of vulnerability. • Provide assistance and advice on refugee status and the procedure for its recognition. • Follow up on the responses - actions by the responsible authorities and support their coordination. • Recruitment-related activities • Keep up to date on the situation of mixed movements entering Panamanian territory from Colombia through the Darien National Park in order to continue assisting and referring to the competent authorities people with international protection needs. • Support the Ombudsman's Office in any additional task that may be requested in relation to care, guidance and advice on human rights, as well as perform all those activities necessary for the successful execution of its work • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

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 UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Enhanced Legal Support: Through the meticulous analysis of interviews and case files, significant improvements in providing targeted legal assistance and human rights counseling to the local population have been achieved. This includes the drafting and efficient processing of reported human rights violations, thereby streamlining the resolution process. • Strengthened Investigative Support: By conducting steps or procedures before various authorities, the investigations and guidance provided to petitioners have been substantially supported, enhancing the effectiveness of the ombudsman's office in addressing grievances and upholding justice. • Improved Communication and Support: Regular contact with refugees and migrants to update them on the status and progress of their complaints has led to a more transparent and supportive environment, ensuring individuals feel heard and valued throughout the resolution process. • Comprehensive Monitoring and Reporting: Through on-site inspections, evaluative reports, and periodic monitoring of Temporary Migratory Reception Stations and transit communities, detailed reports including demographic breakdowns have been submitted. This has facilitated a more nuanced understanding of migration patterns and the needs of individuals in transit, aiding in the provision of targeted support and referrals. • Protection and Referral Enhancements: Identifying individuals in need of international protection and ensuring their referral to appropriate authorities or organizations has been optimized. This outcome has led to better protection mechanisms and access to necessary services for vulnerable populations, in line with international human rights standards. • 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 UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR 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 UNHCR in daily activities and behaviors 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 behavior; 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

humanitarian, development work context or similar fields.

Essential • Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills supplemented by knowledge and understanding of the Humanitarian reform process and the role of the humanitarian community preferably in Human Rights Affairs. • Applied knowledge of multi-sectoral coordination, IASC guidelines and protection principles. • Applied knowledge in UNHCR mandate, its policies, and priorities in relation to Refugees or IDPs and Human Rights depending on context. • Demonstrated knowledge in reporting requirements. • Other desired technical knowledge • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • 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; • 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; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in international protection, safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees; volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

Meteti, Darien's hardship is classified as a “C” Duty Station (family). It is a municipality in the Panamanian province of Darién.
Darien is Panama’s largest and poorest province. Bordering Colombia, the province hosts a 60-mile-deep jungle, the only breaking point of the Pan-American highway, linking the continent from south to north. Despite being one of the most dangerous jungles in the world, Darien is a transit location for thousands of refugees and migrants, most of them coming from Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, and African and South Asian nations. The Darién region is a jungle and swampy area located on the border of Central America (Panama) and South America (Colombia), which has functioned as a natural barrier to road communication between both countries. Because there are currently no land transportation routes that cross the area (mainly because it is the part where the Pan-American highway, which connects most of the countries of the American continent, is interrupted), it has been called the Darién Gap. Regarding security and public order, Darien province has a low level of risk. Meteti, is located 4h drive from the capital city, with basic social facilities, housing, etc. There is the possibility of hiking at the national park and a few other basic sports. There is a small international community. There are supermarkets and convenience stores for food, furnishing, and other necessities. Most international and national staff reside in separate houses and apartments in town. The facilities could include electricity and water but are not furnished. Internet, TV, cable, cooling systems are needed and should be arranged separately. The dry season is short, warm, and cloudy. The rainy season is prone to flooding with an increase in waterborne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever.
The cost of living is cheaper than in Panama City, especially for housing and food. The UNHCR Multi-Country Office is in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the Panama City centre, called ‘Ciudad del Saber’, where most of the other UN agencies are also located, as well as international schools, NGOs and research centres.