Human Rights Project 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.

This UNV assignment is part of the Peacebuilding fund (PBF) project “Breaking the Cycle of Violence rehabilitating justice and accountability mechanisms for the transformation of survivors and perpetrators of violent conflict into change agents for peace”. The signing of the Revitalized Agreement to Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in September 2018, has increased the public confidence and expectations in the peace process, it is therefore important to capacitate and support local actors to reduce violence by building trust, addressing historical gender injustices and strengthening accountability measures of the justice sector. This project seeks to build political and social capacity, knowledge and experience to address several provisions of the R-ARCSS including reforming the national level justice system. The initiative has a two-pronged approach: a) enhance the capacity of community-based peacebuilding mechanisms by enabling youth to enter dispute resolution processes; and b) enhance the capacity of public justice systems to ensure access to fair, gender-responsive and equitable judicial services for children and youth. The approach is innovative by addressing both the upstream (dispute resolution) and downstream (justice) mechanisms of sustaining community level peace with a target group (children and youth) that is often left behind in large scale humanitarian, peacebuilding and development interventions.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Director of the UNMISS Human Rights Division/OHCHR or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Human Rights Project Officer will:

• Assist in overseeing the implementation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Peacebuilding funds (PBF) project in coordination with UNDP and UNICEF; Provide administrative support, financial planning and monitoring budget implementation according to the set procedures and regulations; Analyze, review and report on budget spending and support in drafting budget related communications; Ensure that the project supporting documents are in accordance with PBF guidelines; Follow up on implementing partners payment transactions in a timely manner in accordance with the regulations and applicable procedures; • Maintain complete records of all project and budget-related operations (database) • Assist monitoring of project progress and reporting on peacebuilding impact; • Ensure timely submission of PBF bi-annual project progress reports and end of project report; • Identify risk and results to advise on project amendment; • Assist in day to day management and reporting on the project activities; • Any other assigned task related to finance and project management.

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.; • 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

• As an active OHCHR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OHCHR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Submitted PBF project proposals are of high quality and comply with the regulations and set procedures; • Budget and project-related documents are followed in a timely manner; • Allocated budget is efficiently and timely spent in accordance with the set working plans; • Implementing partners and vendors are paid in a timely manner in accordance with the regulations and applicable procedures • Periodic, bi-annual reports on budget implementation and overall performance are prepared. • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A 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

• Accountability • Client Orientation • Empowering Others • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Leadership • Respect for Diversity • Technological Awareness

project management and human rights related issues , preferably with UN or other international organizations . • Experience in research and drafting a variety of documents and reports is highly desirable • Knowledge of human rights law and tools for the promotion and protection of human rights is desirable. • Computer skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Power Point etc.) is required

South Sudan is a complex duty station, which is classified as a non-family duty station and is categorized as Security Phase III. There is a UN imposed curfew due to security and crime issues. There is basic infrastructure in the capital city Juba and the country. There are several hotels that are approved by the UN for accommodation. There are several mobile telephone companies providing services and SIMs can be easily bought with credit vouchers. There are no fixed telephone lines. The widely-used currency for business transaction is the South Sudan Pound (SSP). Banking facilities are available but limited; the use of bank credit and debit cards is very limited. There are restaurants serving food from different regions of the world. Markets and shops are fairly well-stocked with food items, clothes and other household goods. There are also local markets for vegetables and other farm produce. The cost of living is generally high as almost all of the goods are imported. Yellow Fever vaccination is highly recommended in South Sudan. Please note that without evidence of yellow fever vaccination, access to South Sudan is restricted. UN personnel are provided medical services in the UN Agency clinic. Other medical services can be obtained at the UNMISS Level 2 hospital. South Sudan is a unique country. 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