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.

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, OHCHR has been mainstreaming human rights in the Ukraine refugee response through participation in different coordination platforms. In June 2023, OHCHR started to implement a European-Union-funded project focused on a protection response to refugees from Ukraine. Within this project, OHCHR is carrying out protection monitoring interviews with refugees from Ukraine and host community members; provision of information to refugees; and referral of cases. OHCHR is seeking to improve the protective environment and equal access to services for refugees with specific needs and the most vulnerable host community members.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Human Rights Officer – Project Manager, the UN Volunteer Human Rights Officer will:

• Conduct substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events relevant to the refugee crises and assesses their impact on the human rights. • Contribute to the maintenance of a strong network of national and local authorities, civil society, UN Agencies, and other relevant partners for the regular exchange of human rights information related to the refugee crises. • Carry out protection monitoring to assess the needs of the most vulnerable refugees, including in the Transnistrian region, in alignment with OHCHR monitoring principles. • Participate in data analysis and advocacy. • Provide information to refugees on rights and entitlements. • Refer the most vulnerable and at-risk cases through the inter-agency referral pathways. • Participate in training on equality and non-discrimination for humanitarian workers. • Facilitate HRBA mainstreaming in humanitarian action, in line with human rights, including in the work of humanitarian coordination structures. • Ensure the integration of gender/gender equality perspectives and attention that specific women/girls’, children’s rights issues, disability rights as well as minority rights issues are integrated into humanitarian efforts and response. • Address requests, feedback and complaints received through the complaints and feedback mechanism. • Draft and review a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc., in compliance with established standards. • Perform other duties as required by the Project Manager.

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:

• 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.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Team-work • Self-management

in human rights or human rights in humanitarian action, at the national and/or international level; experience of working in the context of refugee response, in humanitarian crises or with vulnerable groups is an asset, as is experience of working in the UN or other international development organizations; • Previous experience at the national or international level in human rights monitoring or protection programming is desirable; • Previous experience working with vulnerable population is desirable; • Experience in data management and data collection tools is desirable; • 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; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in human rights in humanitarian action, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is a well-developed city with a high degree of security. It offers a diverse range of accommodation, restaurants, has public transport, and has a large number of parks. Super markets have a good selection of products, Internet is available, running water and heating function well, state run as well as private clinics are available. Moldova is a unique country and OHCHR is a unique organisation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances:

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to this assignment please see below:

Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the monthly post adjustment.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 2784.32 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 4000 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): $225

Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the commencement of service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer contract date. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment.

Leave entitlements: • Annual Leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. • Learning Leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive 7 days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station and an entry lump sum will be provided and final repatriation and exit allowance for satisfactory service. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses.