Human Rights Officer

Volunteering Legal Crisis & Emergency Response

Overview

Support the promotion and protection of human rights in Venezuela.

You have:

• Experience working in the Latin American region and/or knowledge of the human rights in the region is considered an advantage.
• Experience in the application of international human rights law, standards and protections mechanisms is highly desirable.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English and Spanish; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Commitment to volunteerism, previous experience as a volunteer or with human rights volunteer organizations is an advantage.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications and familiarity with database management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.

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.

The Office has a unique role to:

• Promote and protect all human rights: We speak out objectively in the face of human rights violations and help elaborate the standards that are used to evaluate human rights progress worldwide. • Help empower people: Our research, education, and advocacy activities contribute to the increased awareness and engagement by the international community and the public on human rights issues. This means thousands of people in all regions of the world are empowered to claim their rights. • Assist Governments: Through our field presences, we help prevent abuses and contribute to defusing situations that could lead to conflict. Our monitoring and analysis feeds sensitive decision-making and development programming. We also provide capacity-building and legal advice to thousands, supporting the development and judicious enactment of laws and policies around the world. • Inject a human rights perspective into all UN programmes: We mainstream human rights into all UN programmes to ensure that peace and security, development, and human rights - the three pillars of the UN - are interlinked and mutually reinforced.

In carrying out its mission, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights:

• Gives priority to addressing the most pressing human rights violations, both acute and chronic, particularly those that put life in imminent peril • Focuses attention on those who are at risk and vulnerable on multiple fronts • Pays equal attention to the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights, including the right to development • Measures the impact of its work through the substantive benefit that is accrued, through it, to individuals around the world.

Since 2019, the OHCHR has been operating in Venezuela under the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator. Currently, the Office temporarily operates from Panama City, Panama, while discussions are ongoing for its return to Caracas, Venezuela. The Office plays a crucial role in providing credible assessments of the human rights situation and challenges in the country and in supporting the effective implementation of UN human rights recommendations. The Office’s responsibilities include monitoring, documenting, and analyzing the human rights situation in Venezuela. It works to integrate human rights and gender equality considerations into the activities of the UN Country Team and humanitarian efforts. Additionally, the Office supports and partners with civil society organizations and engages with relevant authorities to address human rights concerns, at the extent possible. It is also committed to promoting human rights observance and implementing recommendations from international human rights bodies. Finally, it reports on the general human rights situation in the country according to the mandates given by the Human Rights Council and the mandate of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, with a gender perspective.

The UN Volunteers will contribute to strengthening the strategic thematic priorities for the current planning cycle, with a particular focus on integrating a gender perspective. This role involves collaborating with various UN agencies, funds, and programs, as well as working closely with civil society organizations dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Under the direct supervision of Unit Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Gather information and report on the human rights situation in the thematic area, including through contacts with other United Nations actors, humanitarian actors, and civil society. • Support the assistance to civil society organizations to develop and implement policies and training programs with attention to gender perspective, including diversity and inclusive approaches. • Conduct substantive research analysis of compliance of national legal framework and/or public policies with international human rights standards. • Promote dialogue between local human rights and civil society networks, humanitarian actors, and the OHCHR Office in Venezuela, on measures to promote the observance of human rights. • Use the OHCHR database to enter cases and document allegations and violations of human rights. • Provide technical assistance and follow up to activities with counterparts and partners at different levels within the framework of the Office´s Mandate. • Assist in other duties relevant to the post, as requested by the Unit Coordinator.

• Adaptability and Flexibility. • Commitment and Motivation. • Communication. • Planning and Organizing. • Professionalism. • Working in Teams

human rights, applying the knowledge of the UN International human rights standards and mechanisms.

• Experience working in the Latin American Region and/or knowledge of the human rights in the region is considered an advantage. • Experience on monitoring and reporting on human rights, desirable. • 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 an advantage. • Excellent oral and written skills in English and Spanish; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • 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. • 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 and to deliver under pressure. • 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 tight deadlines.

OHCHR Venezuela Office is temporarily based in Panama City, Panama, hence, the Assignment is located temporarily in Panama city until conditions allow for a return to Venezuela.

Panama City is classified 'A' Duty Station (Family) and has good infrastructure (health, housing, banking, transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities) and good supply of goods and services, with no particular health hazards. In terms of security, Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin America and it is rated as security level '1 minimal' whereas for Darién Province (border with Colombia) it is security level '2 low'. The city is a communication hub, and it is possible to fly to all countries of the region with direct flights and it offers good options for travelling in general. The cost of living is relatively high for the region (reflected in the post adjustment), especially for housing and health, but it is easy to find accommodation on the private market. Most of the food is imported except for sea products and some fruits and vegetables. In terms of recreational activities, Panama being a hub for the purchasing of goods for neigh-bouring countries, the city offers a lot of malls and doing shopping and going to malls is a common weekend activity. Cultural offer is limited but there is a good offer of restaurants and a dynamic nightlife. Beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are reachable within one hour by car or by boat directly from the city and there are some options for hiking too. There is also a relatively good range of sports activities. For the everyday life it is recommended to have Spanish knowledge as English is not widely spoken in the shops and services. Just like other fast-growing cities, the traffic is heavy at peak hours and considered an issue for people living in Panama City. The climate is hot and humid with a rainy season lasting 8 months a year.

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Potential interview questions

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