Human Rights Assistant

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.

Created by General Assembly resolution 53/78 of 5 December 1998 and 54/55 of 1 December 1999, the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa is the Regional Office for Central Africa (CARO) of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Centre covers 10 countries of the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) zone including Rwanda.

The Centre works in collaboration with Governments, National Human Rights Institutions, Election Management bodies, United Nations Country Teams, Civil Society Organisations and the media throughout the sub region to promote the state of human rights and democratic practice. CARO focuses on building the human rights promotion and protection capacities of all national actors to effectively to uphold the international standards and democratic practices at national level.

The Centre is headed by a Director who doubles as Regional Representative of the High Commissioner for Central Africa. Following the 2020 organigramme, the office operates with seven units namely Capacity Building, Human Rights Mechanisms, Non-discrimination, Monitoring and Reporting, Emergency Response, Communication and Advocacy and Administration and Finance. The UN Volunteer will work primarily with the Capacity Building Unit with close interaction with other units, including Monitoring and Reporting. At a time when the subregion is challenged by crises on multiple fronts, these units play a strategic role in ensuring that information is rapidly verified and reported to inform appropriate action by HQ or other relevant UN bodies, while providing support to strengthen national human rights capacities.

Cameroon has been confronted with a protracted armed struggle between separatists in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions and Government forces, which since October 2016 has primarily exposed the civilian population to atrocities. This conflict, which was triggered by social resentment of injustice and marginalization accumulated

Under the overall supervision of the Representative of OHCHR Regional Office and the day-to-day direct supervision of the Units Coordinator and support from the respective Units, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Support in the development and implementation of training programs in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives for countries' security bodies, judiciary, national institutions, civil society organisations.
Contribute in the research and collection of information pertaining to the human rights situation within the sub region, including their gender dimensions from a variety of sources (e.g. communications, publications, the press…) to keep abreast of issues/events and provide up-to-date information; assist in the analysis of information, to include the impact on the countries and thematic mandates on the human rights situation in assigned area.
Assist in the conduct of field verification missions and liaise with local civil society partners to strengthen human rights monitoring.
Support the strengthening of the human rights cases database by feeding in information from field verification and monitoring missions, including information collected through remote monitoring.
Support the drafting of documents, reports, briefings, background notes and correspondence relating to human rights matters for various targets including Governments, donors and partner organizations.
Participate in meetings of interagency groups on human rights and consultations; prepare summaries of outcome and propose follow-up actions; support the management of the UNCT Human Rights Working Group (drafting meeting agendas and minutes, convening meetings, etc.) and liaise with the Resident Coordinator’s Office to ensure outcomes’ dissemination to UNCT and recording in UNCT archives.
Support capacity building activities including through engaging in the organization and fac




Demonstrated interest and/or experience (ideally one year) in human rights. Experience working in monitoring, reporting, advocacy, capacity building and interaction with international human rights mechanisms and wide range of national institutions, etc. will be an asset.
Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
Ability to write a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc.

Yaoundé is the political capital of Cameroon and the second most populated city in the country after Douala. The official languages of Cameroon are English and French.

Yaoundé features a tropical wet and dry climate with constant temperatures throughout the year and high temperatures ranging from 27 to 29 degrees C. Yaoundé also features a lengthy wet season covering a ten-month span between February and November. However, there is a noticeable decrease in precipitation within the wet season, seen during the months of July and August.

The OHCHR Regional Office for Central Africa in Yaoundé is in Bastos district, where most embassies and international organizations have their offices. Several services (banks, international schools, etc.), restaurants and supermarkets are in Bastos. Transportation in Yaoundé can be done by taxi, although it is recommended to call private taxis rather than street taxis for security reasons. The security situation in the city of Yaoundé is partially satisfactory. Petty crime is the main threat. Electricity cuts and water shortages are frequent.

Visa, passport and yellow fever vaccination card are required for entry. Other vaccinations are strongly recommended.

COVID-19

Restrictions and other measures introduced as part of the government's efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 remain largely unchanged in Cameroon as of 17 February 2020.

Land and sea borders remain closed to international travel. However, freight transport via land and sea routes is likely to continue but will be subject to increased screening. Air borders also remain largely closed, but authorities have permitted several flights out of Douala International Airport (DLA) and Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport (NSI). All citizens and travellers intending to travel to Cameroon must present a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before the flight, in addition to a compulsory testing at the port-of-entry. Travelers without test documentation, who display symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, face a 14-day quarantine at a government-approved hotel. It is currently unclear when regular air travel will resume.

Domestically, non-essential businesses can operate, and limits have been lifted on local public transportation. Schools and universities are open but must adhere to strict health guidelines. All residents are required to wear facemasks. Restrictions on groups of more than 50 people remain in place; however, bars and restaurants have been allowed to reopen. The country's national carrier, Camair-Co (QC), is operating some domestic flights.