Human Rights Officer in Gardez

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.

UNAMA is a political mission that provides political good offices in Afghanistan; works with and supports the government; supports the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation. UNAMA was established by the UN Security Council Resolution 1401 in March 2002 at the request of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Its mandate is reviewed annually with the latest mandate renewal being on 15 September 2020 when the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2543 (2020) Resolution 2543 (2020) calls for UNAMA and the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, within their mandate and in a manner consistent with Afghan sovereignty, leadership and ownership, to continue to lead and coordinate international civilian efforts in full cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan.

UNAMA maintains a permanent and extensive field presence across Afghanistan, as well as liaison offices in Pakistan and Iran. The Mission has more than 1,211 staff - comprised of 833 Afghan nationals, 310 international staff and 68 UNVs.

The UNAMA Gardez Field Office covers the South-Eastern Region of Afghanistan and includes the four provinces of Ghazni, Paktiya, Paktika and Khost, the latter three provinces bordering Pakistan. The UNAMA Human Rights Team in Gardez comprises an international Human Rights Officer/Team Leader and four national staff. They monitor and report on the human rights situation in the South-Eastern Region as per the UNAMA human rights mandate (UN Security Council Resolution 2626 (2022): engage with stakeholders, civil society and international non-governmental organizations in the protection and promotion of the human rights of all Afghans vis-à-vis: the situation for civilians; sexual and gender-based violence; prevention of torture, monitoring of places of detention and the promotion of the rights of detainees; monitoring and reporting on civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights to assist with efforts to further reduce poverty and support social cohesion; support the rights of victims and civic engagement; promote, support and advise on Afghanistan’s implementation of IHRL to which Afghanistan is a State party and by which it is bound, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and advocate for the provision of and equal access to essential public services, due process and justice; and, as appropriate, provide technical advice to duty bearers on international human rights standards.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader, the UN Volunteer Associate Human Rights Officer will:

• Support the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader manage and implement the human rights mandate in the area of responsibility. • Provide substantive guidance and operational monitoring support on issues related to right to life, physical integrity and security of persons, protection of civilians, elimination of violence against women, children affected by armed conflict, monitoring places of detention/prohibition of torture, and fundamental freedoms, civic space, human rights defenders and media. • Draft substantive analysis based on field monitoring and research undertaken by the Team at the direction of the Team Leader or as per the direction of human rights thematic focal points in the Human Rights Service headquarters. • Support/Draft the Team’s submissions to internal and external reports, briefing notes, talking points, etc. of the Human Rights Service. • Provide substantive advice and organizational leadership under the supervision of the Team Leader to prepare consultations and advocacy with local de facto authorities, community and/or tribal leaders, religious leaders, civil society activists, and human rights defenders; • Organize visits to places of detention, including facilities run by the de facto authorities (General Directorate of Intelligence, Police, Provincial Prisons, and the Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres). • Ensure close internal coordination between the Team, the Head of Field Office and other UNAMA sections in the UNAMA Field Office, as well as UN Country Team entities operating in the region, through information sharing, and providing guidance and expert advice to relevant colleagues on the work of the Human Rights Service. • Representing the Human Rights Service, as appropriate, at specific official functions, meetings and thematic events related to the UNAMA human rights mandate with other UN agencies, civil society groups, humanitarian organizations, and local de facto authorities. • Serving as Officer-in-Charge of the Team and its attendant leadership, management and supervisory responsibilities, including the implementation/delivery of the human rights mandate in the area of responsibility. • Perform any other duties, as required, e.g. 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.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Research and analytical skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of human rights issues. • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • 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, mixed-gender 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; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • 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; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Human Rights, Gender, and Rule of Law expertise and work experience are required; • Experience working on gender issues in a conflict and/or post-conflict settings is required; experience in data management, data mining and data analysis using a variety of research and database tools and or other methods to populate databases is desirable; prior field experience in conflict settings is desirable. ; • Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and 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; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in Human Rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with a volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNAMA are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in compounds across Afghanistan. In general, stringent security measures are in place throughout the country and UN volunteers, as other UN staff, are quite limited to duty stations when it comes to movement. Walking is virtually not allowed. All movements are by armoured vehicles driven by national qualified UN drivers.

The single unit accommodation in all UNAMA Compounds across Afghanistan is fully furnished – includes furniture, washing machine and dryer, hot plate, iron and iron stand, microwave, electric kettle, crockery, pots and pans, and utensils. Provided are two covered pillows, a covered duvet, and a bedsheet. The monthly charge for UNAMA-provided accommodation is USD 300 which is deducted from the monthly Volunteer Living Allowance. Inside the UNOCA compound are three cafes, a cafeteria/restaurant that serves local fare, two supermarkets, a vegetable market, a gift shop, and two telecom/internet shops. There is also a social centre/restaurant, a gym, and a small library with books and DVDs maintained by the Staff Welfare Office. There are also a number of UN-cleared supermarkets in Kabul, Jalalabad, and Mazar-i-Sharif. The Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own towel and other personal accessories, including toiletries and medicines, which they may not find easily in the supermarkets inside the UNOCA Compound. Some degree of medical service is provided in all UNAMA duty stations. There is a UN clinic in UNAMA/UNOCA compound, and access is granted in Kabul to other private international clinics (when and if needed). Contact with and outreach to the local community is usually limited. As mentioned, many places outside the UNAMA compounds are off-limits. The choice of recreational facilities is limited. For all these reasons, it is recommended that you bring a stock of books, DVDs, computer games, etc.. Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry while winter is the opposite – cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing, and comfortable boots with insulation, are necessary. Afghanistan is a unique country and UNAMA is a unique UN mission. It requires more stamina, commitment, and flexibility than elsewhere to make life comfortable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort is essential.