Human Rights Officer

Contract

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

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department responsible for strengthening international human rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; widening the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity .

The UN Human Rights Regional Office for Central America was established in Panama City (Panama), following the signature of an agreement between the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Panama, on 15 February 2007.

In line with the mandate of the HC/OHCHR (General Assembly resolution 48/141), the UN Human Rights Regional Office engages with and supports States in the promotion and protection of all human rights. It provides support and technical assistance, advice and capacity building. At present, it engages with countries of Central America that do not have any other type of OHCHR field presence, i.e. Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and the Caribbean.

The National UNV will be part of a Team of national/international staff working in/on El Salvador, with a particular focus on building local capacities, networking and supporting efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, including human rights defenders and mainstreaming of human rights in the UN development assistance to support the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior National Human Rights Officer in El Salvador, and overall responsibility of the OHCHR Regional/Deputy Regional Representative for Central America and in coordination with an OHCHR Team of international staff working on El Salvador from the Regional Office for Central America in Panama, the National UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Contribute to regular reporting, including identification of trends, early warning analysis and regular reports on activities; • Support capacity building and advisory services activities, and carry out trainings on human rights monitoring, international human rights mechanisms, shadow reporting, advocacy and planning with a human rights-based approach, based on OHCHR methodologies and training materials, as appropriate to national NGOs, the National Human Rights Institution and human rights defenders working in the field of human rights; • Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a strong network of local and international human rights partners for the regular exchange of human rights information, including through social media and other means; • Conduct monitoring and follow-up activities in relation to the observance of human rights through field monitoring missions, networking with human rights defenders in the country, as relevant; • Take part in promoting/supporting initiatives linked to the protection of human rights defenders, in collaboration with civil society organisations (including NGOs) and UN agencies; • Contribute to supporting UNCT initiatives for the mainstreaming of human rights principles and recommendations from all UN human rights mechanisms in the UN development assistance in support to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; • Ensure the integration of gender perspectives and attention to specific women/girls and children’s rights issues within all OHCHR activities; • Participate in the development/delivery of work plans and monitor activities, to ensure objectives and targets are met and achieved; Perform other related duties as requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required 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- Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application- 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.

Results/Expected Outputs

• Efficient monitoring and follow-up activities in relation to the observance of human rights through field monitoring missions, networking with human rights defenders in the country. • Identification of human rights issues/problems, including their gender dimensions, through good research and analysis and timely preparation of reports; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with counterparts; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • Effective interaction with colleagues and other concerned parties internally and externally.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Commitment to continuous learning • Communication • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Working in Teams

law, political sciences, international relations, social sciences or any other discipline related to human rights. Experience in UN field operations would be an asset but is not a requirement. • 5+ years of progressively professional experience at national and/or international levels in the human rights field is required. • Experience in monitoring human rights violations.
• Demonstrate experience in dealing with some key stakeholders, particularly governments, congresspersons, national institutions, diplomatic community, NGO’s and the range of actors in the field of human rights. • Analytical skills and drafting skills; • Good communication and advocacy skills; • Ability to transfer knowledge; • Knowledge of technology and use of office computer applications.

El Salvador is a middle-income country with good living standards. It is the smallest country in continental America and is affectionately called ("Pulgarcito de America"), the "Tom Thumb of the Americas". It has 123.6 square miles (320 km²) of water within its border. It is the only Central American country that does not have a Caribbean coastline. The highest point in the country is Cerro El Pital at 8,957 feet (2,730 m), which shares a border with Honduras.

El Salvador has a tropical climate with pronounced rainy (May to October) and dry seasons (November to April). Temperatures vary primarily with elevation and show little seasonal change. The Pacific lowlands are uniformly hot; the central plateau and mountain areas are more moderate.

There is a moderate vulnerability of the country to the effects of natural disasters, such as seismic swarms, earthquakes, tropical storms and floods which is a challenge for the UN System together.

The insecurity is a phenomenon that is of similar characteristics in all countries in the region. That means crimes against life and property primarily are also present in El Salvador. Residents and visitors should exercise an appropriate level of alert in both official and private activities. Adequate level of prevention in daily activities will greatly help to prevent security incidents.