Human Rights Assistant

Legal Security

Overview

Support implementation of human rights initiatives with civil society.

You have:

• Demonstrated interest in international affairs, development, public policy or human rights.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, and knowledge of collaboration tools (Sharepoint, Teams etc.)
• Must have a motorbike licence to ride a motorbike in Lao PDR.

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office (CO)’s portfolio consists of three strategic development areas – environment, climate change and resilience; governance and rule of law; and inclusive growth, which includes a large support programme to the UXO/mine action sector.

In line with the Ninth National Socio-Economic Plan (NSEDP) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022-2026 supports Lao People’s Democratic Republic’ efforts to ensure that by 2026 the population benefits from sustainable and inclusive growth and is increasingly resilient to the risks of climate change, natural disasters and unexploded ordnance while state institutions are more transparent, inclusive and accountable to the people. The programme is anchored in the long-term UNDP partnership with the Government spanning more than three decades. It builds on previous achievements that saw the incorporation of the SDGs into the national planning architecture and aims to support the country as it recovers from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 and continues its transition from Least Developed Country status, with particular emphasis on supporting inclusive growth and reducing inequality through a human-rights based approach. The programme is aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan, 2022-2025, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in Lao PDR.

UNDP actively promotes and protects human rights, including the implementation of international treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). UNDP supports the Lao government and civil society organizations in reporting and monitoring these rights, providing capacity building and training to enhance their roles. This includes assisting with national and parallel reports, engaging organizations of persons with disabilities in the CRPD review process, and ensuring broader human rights monitoring and reporting for treaties like CEDAW and CAT. These efforts are part of UNDP's broader mission to integrate human rights into national development plans and policies, ensuring the protection and promotion of rights for all individuals, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups.

The UN Youth Volunteer will support Rule of Law team under the Governance Unit in the implementation of UNDP Lao PDR’s human rights initiatives with civil society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Working under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst/Rule of Law, s/he will collaborate closely with the Governance team and other project teams, Government and civil society organizations to ensure successful implementation of UNDP’s human rights workplan.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, and in close collaboration with the Disability Inclusion Officer, the Governance Unit, CSOs (or National Non-Profit Associations, NPAs and Organizations of People with Disabilities -OPD), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant stakeholders, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Human Rights Coordination • Support the establishment of a human rights coordination mechanism among NPAs/OPDs. • Assist in organizing consultations and meetings with NPAs/OPDs to establish the co-ordination mechanism. • Draft meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-up action plans to ensure effective coor-dination. • Support the development of communication materials to promote the coordination mechanism among stakeholders. • Maintain a database of NPAs/OPDs and their engagement in human rights processes. • Assist in the preparation of training materials, including presentations, handouts, and pre/post-training assessments for NPAs/OPDs on ICESCR, UPR and CRPD. • Provide logistical support for organizing training sessions (e.g., venue booking, partic-ipant invitations, and coordination). • Support the facilitation of training sessions and document key outcomes and recom-mendations. • Assist in planning and organizing advocacy events for international days (e.g., Human Rights Day, International Day of Persons with Disabilities). • Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure inclusive participation in advocacy events. • Draft advocacy messages, social media content, and press releases to raise aware-ness of human rights issues. • Document event outcomes and prepare relevant reports for dissemination.

2. Support to ICESCR Implementation • Assist in organizing the Mock Constructive Dialogue, including logistical arrange-ments and participant coordination. • Support the preparation of briefing materials and background documents for the dia-logue. • Document the proceedings and outcomes of the dialogue for follow-up actions. • Support follow up with stakeholders as needed to ensure the integration of dialogue recommendations into national processes.

3. Support to UPR Implementation • Assist in mapping and tracking progress on UPR recommendations in collaboration with government and CSO partners. • Support the organization of consultations and workshops to advance the implementa-tion of UPR recommendations. • Draft reports and updates on the status of UPR follow-up actions for internal and ex-ternal stakeholders. • Maintain a repository of UPR-related documents and resources.

4. Support to CRPD Implementation • Assist in monitoring and reporting on the implementation of CRPD recommendations. • Support the organization of capacity-building activities for stakeholders on CRPD-related issues. • Draft progress reports and updates on CRPD follow-up actions. • Support consultations with stakeholders to validate the M&E framework.

5. General Support • Provide administrative and logistical support for human rights-related activities, in-cluding scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and documenting minutes • Maintain accurate records of all activities, including reports, databases, and corre-spondence • Support knowledge management, communication and visibility efforts in coordination with communications colleagues by drafting content for social media, blog posts, and reports and organizing Sharepoint folders. • Support fund-raising efforts around human rights including business and human rights. • Perform any other duties as required to support the implementation of human rights activities under the work plan.

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

Demonstrated interest in:
• International affairs, development, public policy or human rights. • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, and knowledge of collaboration tools (Sharepoint, Teams etc.)

The position will be based in the capital, Vientiane. Living conditions in Vientiane are comfortable but residents must make concessions due to the tropical climate and under-developed infrastructure, including health facilities. Vientiane is a relatively safe place to live in, with violent crime incidents very rare. However, single females should be vigilant if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups. The biggest hazards relate to traffic accidents; hence utmost care should be exerted when in traffic, especially when riding a motorbike. Volunteers must have a motorbike licence to ride a motorbike in Lao PDR. The Vientiane entertainment scene is still quiet and to avoid feeling lonely, the person should be proactive in forming friendships and hence should be ready to make the best of e.g. the UNV Buddy Programme. There is a wide range of housing options in Vientiane located within easy reach of the UNDP office. Houses or apartments are usually of good standards. All basic commodities can be bought in Vientiane and its immediate vicinity. The UNV Office in Laos will assist the UNV in finding adequate accommodation. House shares with 3-4 people are most common, but single apartments are also available. Vientiane’s city centre is full of restaurants, shops, bars, and internet cafes with many lined up along the Mekong River. Laos is a former French colony but is looking towards modernism despite its huge historical and cultural legacy. Surrounded by China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, Laos has established a business-friendly environment over the years. It thus attracts foreign investment and provides many professional opportunities to expatriates. Lao people are friendly and show tolerance and an open-minded approach to visitors in their country, but their culture and values should always be respected. Lao is a unique and mysterious country. It provides an interesting and enriching environment but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as some commitment to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and will to adapt are necessary to live in a lovely yet developing country.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org