International Human Rights Associate

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.

OHCHR’s office in Mexico works to ensure that institutions, Government authorities, and the United Nations Country Team have adequate information, understanding, and skills to identify human rights concerns and to develop measures to address them effectively. OHCHR-Mexico also works to ensure that civil society and human rights victims have increased awareness of human rights standards and mechanisms.

Main activities are focused on technical cooperation and legal advice on harmonization of legislation, development of indicators on human rights, support the elaboration of public policies with human rights based approach, follow-up the international recommendations, gender and human rights, amongst other issues, and monitoring of human rights situation throughout the country, with emphasis on grave human rights violations (such as enforced disappearances and torture) as well as the situation of human rights defenders and journalists and the right of indigenous peoples to prior consultation.

OHCHR-Mexico is divided into several functional units: Administration, Grave Human Rights Violations, Gender and ESCR, Democratic Space, Vulnerable Groups, Indicators and Public Communications. The UNV would be part of the Democratic Space Unit, which currently consists of a coordinator (international staff) and an international UNV. The Democratic Space Unit personally receives complaints of alleged human rights violations and gives legal orientation to victims, particularly human rights defenders, and journalists. The Democratic Space Unit also participates in field missions to follow up cases of alleged human rights violations, meeting with victims, family members of victims, local NGO´s and government authorities

The UN Volunteer will support the following activities: receiving complaints of alleged human rights violations; participating in field missions and meetings with authorities, civil society organizations and victims; promoting legislative harmonization and the development of comprehensive public policies; technical assistance to federal and state governments; among others.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Coordinator of the cluster of Vulnerable Groups, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Contribute to the planning of the Vulnerable Groups Unit and the overall plan of OHCHR Mexico. • Follow up and support the implementation of human rights policies, at the local and national levels, especially in relation to people on the move. • Plan, design and implement capacity building activities for all actors, local and national, including government officials, representatives of the civil society, human rights non-governmental organizations and rights holders. • Establish working relationships with relevant state and federal authorities, National and Local HRI’s, and CSO’s, especially in relation to people on the move. • Participate in multi-stakeholder meetings regarding the implementation of national legislation and public policies regarding people on the move. • Write reports, case files, strategies, official correspondence, briefings, statements, and communications, including talking points, in relation to people on the move. • Research and collect information pertaining to human rights issues through monitoring human rights situations at the field level and from a variety of data sources (e.g. communications, publications, the press) to keep abreast of issues/events and provide up-to-date information. • Document cases of human rights violations of people on the move and support victims in liaising with international human rights mechanisms. • Assist in the analysis of information regarding substantive matters in the field of human rights, particularly related to people on the move. • Work with UN Country Team to integrate human rights, including gender considerations, in their programmes; • Collaborate, participate and update with HQ and sub-regional field presence the regional migration strategy; • Receive complaints of alleged human rights violations and give legal advice to victims; • Perform other tasks as required.

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.

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:

• Provision of monitoring and analysis of the human rights situation and individual cases of human rights violations, particularly related to people on the move. • Enhanced expertise in the thematic areas that will be worked on, especially the rights of people on the move. • Established relationship with local and federal authorities and initiated changes in local legal framework. • Ability to carry out human rights training workshops. • A 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. • 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

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

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and OHCHR 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 OHCHR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the protection/promotion of human rights and related areas. Field experience and knowledge of the Latin American Region is an asset. • IT skills.

Very good infrastructure (health, housing, schools, banking transportation, telecommunications, and recreational facilities. The current security situation in Mexico is considered as stable, nevertheless common crime activities as robbery, theft and "express kidnapping", among others, represent a serious threat to any citizen living in Mexico. There is no direct threat to UN Staff or other international organization. Movements within Mexico City can be done without restrictions; however, staff must adopt basic precautions. Any movement outside from Mexico City must be cleared by UNDSS system in place.