Human Rights Officer

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.

Results/Expected Outputs: - Monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in the duty assigned according to the United Nations methodology accomplished; - Producing daily, weekly, and monthly regular reports to HQ done on time. - Participation in advocacy meetings and follow-up of cases with local authorities to fight against impunity completed. - Participation in activities aiming at strengthening the capacity of the local authorities in Sudan met. - Capacity building documented.

• Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to the Human Rights team • PAD information managed safely and in compliance with the UN standards. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Under the direct supervision of the designated supervisor, the UN Volunteer Human Rights Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Researches and collects information pertaining to human rights matters, including their gender dimensions, from a variety of data sources; assists in the analysis of information, to include the impact on the human rights situation in Sudan. • Records data on the human rights according to human rights standards and its methodology. • Maintains awareness of current human rights issues in the Region assigned to include relevant political and legal developments. • Contributes to the implementation human rights and protection of civilian strategy in the Area of Responsibility including the National Plan for Civilian Protection (NPCP), the UNITAMS protection mandate priorities • Assists in the implementation of the early warning and response systems for Protection of Civilians (POC) and cooperates and works closely with regional and state-level POC mechanisms and with the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT). • Assists in the implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations security forces (HRDDP) as relevant and the establishment of related coordinating mechanisms. • Contributes to the identification of human rights issues/problems, including their gender dimensions, through good research and analysis and timely preparation of reports, etc. • Liaises with government representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation in the Region assigned with special attention to vulnerable groups. • Participates with other Human Rights Officers in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations or seeks other remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future. • Participates in human rights field assessment or investigation missions and ensures accurate collection and review of information and materials. • Drafts a variety of types of reports relating to human rights matters. • Participates in human rights training programmes for national law enforcement officials, representatives of the civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote national capacity building. • Reviews human rights issues, including their gender dimensions, and participates in discussions with other Human Rights Officers on the integration of these issues into political, humanitarian, and economic efforts and programmes. • Contributes to formulating courses of action that aim to alleviate immediate and long-range human rights problems. • Demonstrates effective interaction with colleagues and other concerned parties internally and externally. • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training. • Performs other related duties as required by direct supervisor.

Furthermore, UN volunteers are encouraged to: • 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; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site. • Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. • Encourage, mobilize, and support co-workers, fellow UN volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis. • Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans. • Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN volunteers as appropriate.

• Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, social, economic, etc., causing unrest in a country or geographic area; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations.

• Communication: Excellent oral skills and proven drafting ability; ability to develop contacts and foster collaboration with other organizations to acquire timely information on current initiatives and studies pertinent to assigned area.

• Planning and Organizing: The ability to manage own plan and the work and the work schedules of others and to meet short deadlines.

• Teamwork: Sound interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

The following qualifications are required:

The incumbent must be a dynamic and well-motivated person who supports UNITAMS with professionalism, dedication, client orientation and demonstrates the values of the UN in daily activities. The following qualifications are required:

Education: A minimum of a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), preferably in Law, international relations, political science, criminology, social sciences, or another discipline related to human rights.

Experience: • Three years (3) of progressively responsible work experience in human rights monitoring, investigation, analysis, and reporting, protection of civilian, and/or experience closely related to the field of Human Rights, at national and/or international levels. • Strong situational analysis and report writing skills; ability to communicate and articulate words in a clear and concise manner; demonstrated effective organizational and coordination skills, and the ability to handle work in an efficient and timely manner. • Knowledge of the Sudan political and human rights situation will be an advantage.

Other skills:

• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially remote 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. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team of international and national staff • Demonstrated ability to use computer applications such as Microsoft Office suites – Word, Power- Point and Excel Spreadsheets; knowledge of other UN supported software may be desirable but not mandatory.

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Sudan has made the headlines lately after the former regime was thrown by the people of Sudan, ending a period of 30 years dictatorship and grievances, however, heavy heritage of social, economic, and political crises was handed over to the new government. The worldwide acclaimed role played by women to bring about change has contributed to the creation of a more conducive environment to work in the area of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment following the adoption of a Constitutional Declaration which guarantees and promotes women’s rights in all social, political, and economic fields, and combats all forms of discrimination against women. The chapter 12 on independent commissions states the establishment of Women and Gender Equality Commission, and Chapter 7 allocated not less than 40% for women in the Transitional Legislative Council. Khartoum is the capital and trading Centre of Sudan and is situated in Khartoum State, at the junction of the Blue and White Nile rivers; Omdurman is also a suburb of Khartoum, giving the urban area a population of over 3 million. It has long served as a major communications Centre between the Arab countries of North Africa and central African countries. The city lies near the rich, irrigated cotton growing Gezira area to the south and much of its trade is based on Nile river traffic. An oil pipeline links the city with Port Sudan on the Red Sea. Industries include tanning, textiles, light engineering, food processing, glassware, and printing. Sudan’s climate ranges from tropical in the south to arid dry desert in the north. Khartoum is one of the hottest capitals in the world in summer, although the winter months are cooler and pleasant. A rainy season in many areas spans from April to October. Living conditions in Khartoum are good. Khartoum is classified as a family duty station, with inadequate level of services, accommodation, and facilities. One can rent a comfortable modern apartment or house with air conditioners that mitigate the hot and dusty climate. Medical facilities are basic. The cost of living may be high, depending on the standards, particularly for food and accommodation. It is a relatively safe environment, sometimes marked by small criminality, especially due the economic crisis, legacy of the years of exclusion of the country from the international community, exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic. MORSS (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards) compliance is required. Generally, the city is safe compared to other capitals in the continent. There are many restaurants and cafes for socializing, although limited sports facilities due to the climate although one can get membership of gyms for indoor exercise and there are clubs for swimming. International personnel should be prepared to use cash while in Sudan. ATM facilities are only available for local accounts. Credit cards cannot be used while in Sudan. Currency exchange and money transfer facilities, such as Western Union, are available in Khartoum. All Photography without a permit is forbidden in Sudan. Do not take photographs without express permission. Where an official is present, you must ask permission to photograph. It is advised to obtain such permission prior to any display of a camera. Dress code is modest and conservative (arms and legs covered), although trousers are acceptable for women, head scarves do not need to be worn by expatriate women in the capital, men should wear long trousers. Public displays of affection should be avoided. Public drunkenness is forbidden and possession of alcohol in Sudan is against the local laws. Visitors should always note that UN staff members are not permitted to bring alcohol into the country.