Human Rights Associate

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.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Within the delegated authority the overall supervision and guidance of the Representative of the Country Office and under the direct supervision of the deputy-head of office and coordinator of the project, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Facilitate the implementation of human rights mandate in the designated area of responsibility (AOR);
• Gather information, analyse and report on the human rights situation in the designated AOR, including through close cooperation with other United Nations actors and the community;
• Follow up on individual cases of violation of human rights and related 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;
• Contribute to the design and implementation of strategies aiming at enhanced protection of human rights in the AoR; Establish and maintain contacts with government representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners operating in the AOR;
• Assist in conducting human rights capacity-building activities and in developing and implementing human rights training programmes; Contribute to and/or draft various reports, communications, briefing notes, statements or other products;
• Conduct fact-finding missions and investigations into abuses/violations of human rights;
• Ensure, coordinate and supervise the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database;
• Conduct quality control and deliver statistics and trend reports as required;
• Ensure human rights mainstreaming within UN planning and programming; Ensure the integration of gender perspectives, with specific attention to issues related to women and girls, including gender based violence, within all assigned human rights activities;
• Represent the UN human rights component at working level meetings, as relevant;
• Participate in monitoring cases of human rights violations
• Prepare drafts of monitoring missions reports as well as weekly reports

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.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

• Degree level: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent). First-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • Type of degree: Law, political science, international relations, social science, or another discipline relevant to human rights

Required experience:

24 Months

Experience remark:

• Two years of work experience in a field related to human rights. Knowledge of international human rights instruments and tools for the promotion and protection of human rights is required. Knowledge of international humanitarian law is desirable. Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is desirable.
• Experience in research and drafting documents, such as reports, is desirable. Experience working in Sahel is desirable. Experience working in a developing, conflict or post-conflict setting is an advantage
• At least 2 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in training, detention, or operational communication, or other relevant programmes; experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;

Language skills:

• French(Mandatory), Level - Working Knowledge
• English(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise:

Human rights

Area of expertise details:

• 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;

• 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; (if not applicable, delete)
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in promotion and protect of human right for all, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Driving license:

Yes

Competencies values:

Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

* Not yet registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first register your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: After creating your account, complete all sections of your profile and submit it. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink. Lastly, select the special call to which you would like to apply.

* Already registered in the UNV Talent Pool?

Please first update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Then go to ‘My Page’ at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage and click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink to select the special call to which you would like to apply.

Application deadline: 17-01-2021