Human Rights Associate

Contract

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

The OHCHR field presence in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) was established in 1996 to implement the mandate of the High Commissioner to promote and protect the effective enjoyment and full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all people in the OPT without discrimination. This mandate includes monitoring and reporting, technical assistance, and capacity-building for the Palestinian Authority and civil society. The UNV will work to support the capacity building team of OHCHR Gaza Sub-Office, particularly in expanding the office’s network with youth organizations, organizations with persons with disability and community-based organizations. The UNV will further support to explore opportunities to raise human rights awareness among the youth.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Gaza sub-office, the UN Community Volunteer will:

• Assist in developing a network with youth organizations, organizations of persons with disability, and community-based organizations to raise awareness about human rights. • Assist in advocacy, including through social media and other means, especially to reach out to the youth and raise awareness about human rights. • Assist in ensuring the integration of gender perspectives and attention to specific women’s rights issues within all activities. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Community 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.

. Integrity and professionalism •Accountability •Commitment to continuous learning •Planning and organizing. •Teamwork and respect for diversity •Communication •Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; •Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Voluntary work in Human Rights organizations

The duration of the assignment is indicated above with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

The current Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers will apply to UN Community Volunteers as an interim measure until a full review of the national Conditions of Service is undertaken, with the following modifications as per Interim Policy Note on UN Community Volunteers.

UN Community Volunteers are expected to be recruited locally and work within their community, they are therefore not expected to travel to the duty station and are not eligible for a settling in grant. In addition, UN Community Volunteers should not require reintegration back into their locales upon completion of their service. Therefore, there is no entitlement to a resettlement allowance.