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.

In accordance with the terms established in the agreement signed by de Government of Guatemala and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the main functions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala are the following: •To monitor the human rights situation in the country in order to provide technical assistance to state institutions and civil society to assist in the implementation of policies, programmes and measures to promote and protect human rights. •To promote the observance of human rights and the implementation of recommendations made by international human rights bodies and mechanisms. •To report on the activities of the Office and the general human rights situation in the country, not only through the High Commissioner's annual report, but also through press releases, public pronouncements, thematic reports, etc.

The UNV professional will be incorporated into one of the thematic units (Justice, Civic Space and Political Rights, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and Non-Discrimination) and will contribute to the strengthening of the strategic thematic priorities for the current planning cycle, including the implementation of a gender perspective. All units carry out monitoring, reporting and technical assistance activities according to the priorities and planning defined by the Office.

The UNV Volunteer will interact with other UN agencies, funds and programs, as well as with public institutions, authorities and civil society, particularly those dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the unit coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1) Monitor, analyze and report about the human rights situation in the country o Assist in the elaboration of reports that provide qualitative and quantitative information on human rights situation in the country, including monthly reports, in line with OHCHR´s Performance Monitoring System. oPrepare and undertake fact-finding field missions and monitoring of human rights situations, including the timely drafting of reports and follow up. oConduct analysis of compliance of national legal framework and/or public policies with international human rights standards. oProvide technical assistance and follow up to activities with counterparts and partners at different levels within the framework of the Office´s Mandate. oMonitor and document violations of the human rights, especially against human rights defenders and journalists, analyzing local and regional trends, civil society organisations and State institutions and with Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies, OHCHR Desk Officers of relevant departments at Geneva HQ. 2)Facilitate, assist and carry out trainings on human rights standards and monitoring, international human rights mechanisms, shadow reporting, advocacy and planning with a human rights-based approach and assist the Office in the preparation of training materials. oPromote dialogue between local human rights and civil society networks, local authorities and the OHCHR Office in Guatemala on measures to promote the observance of human rights in their locality. oAssist in other duties relevant to the post, as requested by the Coordinator of the Unit.

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:

•Dedicate 15% of the assignment to assistance of civil society organizations, promoting the recognition of volunteerism for human rights within the mandate of OHCHR. •Work with their direct supervisor to identify and integrate new opportunities to integrate volunteerism in host agency projects, programs campaigns and communication material. •Promote discussion, reflection and recognition of the contribution of volunteerism towards the host Agency´s mandate both internally and with agency partners. •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.

Results/expected outputs:

1) As an active OHCHR Guatemala team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OHCHR Guatemala and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: oMonitoring and analytical reports and documents elaborated on the situation of human rights. oInformation gathered, analyzed and reported according to the need of the Unit and the Office. oHuman Rights violations cases registered as per OACNUDH methodology. oGender perspective incorporated in all activities. oNetworks and partnerships with key actors strengthened. oTechnical assistance activities such as workshops carried out. oActivities carry out to promote the implementation of recommendations made by international human rights mechanisms. oRepresentation of OHCHR Guatemala in particular on International Volunteer Day (5th December) and other UNV Programming activities. oVolunteerism for human rights included in host agency projects, programs, campaigns, or communication materials. (at least one of the aforementioned per 12 months contract). oA 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. Human rights, gender and diversity perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. oA final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

•Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OHCHR Guatemala; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OHCHR Guatemala 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 •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, mixedgender 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. •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.

the field of human rights or justice at the local, national or international level, including experience with civil society organizations and experience in human rights analysis and reporting cases. Field experience in Latinamerica is desirable.

Qualifications, skills, experience:

•Knowledge of the UN International human rights standards and mechanisms. •Experience in working in the Latin American Region and/or knowledge of the human rights situation in Guatemala is considering an advantage. •Experience on monitor and reporting on human rights is required. •Experience in the application of international human rights law, standards and protections mechanisms is highly desirable. •Commitment to volunteerism, previous experience as a volunteer or with human rights volunteer organizations is considered an advantage. •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.

Guatemala is classified as category “A” family duty station by the International Civil Service Commission. UNV are assigned to UN Agencies/Funds/Programs based in Guatemala City, a modern city with provision of all basic services. UN Volunteers must comply with UNDSS security standard, regulations and policies as well as those of their host Agency. For more information on the UN System in Guatemala please consult: http://www.undss.org.gt, https://www.unv.org

The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.