Human Rights Field Monitor

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OHCHR - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Thursday 23 Mar 2023 at 00:00 UTC

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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 High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) country office in Yemen was established in March 2012. Since its establishment, OHCHR Yemen has provided technical assistance and support to relevant government institutions and civil society organizations on human rights related matters including civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, transitional justice, judicial affairs, women’s and children’s rights, rights of the marginalized communities, and right to development, etc. This UNV assignment is part of OHCHR’s mandate to monitor and regularly report on the human rights situation and developments in Yemen, while undertaking direct and sustained interaction with national counterparts, including advocacy on sensitive human rights issues, and institutional, legal and judicial reforms.

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of Head of the Monitoring Team, and overall supervision of the Head of Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Human Rights Field Monitor will:

• Assist in monitoring and documentation of the different international humanitarian law and human rights violations including in the context of conflict and terrorism, administration of justice, discrimination, civic space, with particular attention to at-risk groups (e.g. girls, women, persons with disabilities, minorities, IDPs, etc.). • Conducting regular visits to police stations, detention centers, and prisons with the aim of monitoring the compliance with human rights standards in these places. • Monitoring the demonstrations and public gathering. • Ensuring continued communications with relevant security forces on specific cases or patterns of human rights violations and advocating for appropriate ways to address these violations. • Developing network contacts with civil society actors (i.e. human rights organizations, other non-governmental organizations, journalists, etc.), local government officials and other relevant actors working in their areas, as reliable data resources of human rights violations committed by security forces. • Liaise with government, civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation in detention centers, with special attention to vulnerable groups. • Receiving complaints and interviewing victims and witnesses on-site and ascertaining the circumstances and acts that led to violation (e.g. suspicious death, an illegal detention, torture or other human rights violation), including individual cases and the use of international human rights mechanisms. • Verify the substance of any information received with human rights organization or association with knowledge of the matter, and/or with assistance from any human rights organization or entity with knowledge of the case under scrutiny. • Drafting correspondence, minutes of meetings and communications when required. • Develop accurate, precise, prompt and action oriented periodic reports with clear recommendations for next steps taken. • Alert OHCHR as to major developments or trends (including the drafting of urgent reports); and to plan future efforts to improve the human rights situation in detention centers. • Participate with other HROs in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations or seek other remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future. • Report on work accomplishment regularly, including during regular meetings with the OHCHR Country Office. • Perform other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the line manager. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OHCHR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OHCHR 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 OHCHR in daily activities and behaviours 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 behaviour; 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; and commitment towards OHCHR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

UN and/or other international organizations is an asset; • At least 2 years of professional work experience in monitoring and reporting with emphasis on human rights violations; • Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the country; • Impeccable and proven reliability with an ability to remain focused under pressure with a commitment to hard work over protracted hours. • A thorough knowledge of UN rules, regulations and procedures will be a significant advantage; • Must be team-oriented, with good interpersonal skills and have an ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally; • 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; • 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; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in human rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. • Prior or recent connections to the duty-station (e.g. work experience, civil society networks, personal familiarity to the region, etc.) is an asset.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian emergency with a large toll of civilian deaths and casualties across the country. Over 80 percent of Yemen's population is estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 2.5 million Yemenis have become IDPs.

The work of OHCHR in Yemen under the current situation aims to monitor, document and report on the human rights situation in the country. This requires an adequate number of field monitors in order to respond to this need and to implement OHCHR’s mandate in an efficient and professional manner.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Human Rights Field Monitor will include monitoring and documenting human rights violations, and reporting on incidents and human rights situations in the geographical location and thematic area under his/her responsibility. Furthermore, the monitor will keep the Office abreast of the human rights situation in the country.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. In some locations UN Volunteers may not have access to a UN office but will be supported for communications. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious act insurance plan.

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