IUNV Especialist - Associate in Human Rights

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-Colombia was established, upon request of the Commission on Human Rights and the initiative of the Government of Colombia, on 29 November 1996 by an Agreement between the Government of Colombia and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, (E/CN.4/1997/11). OHCHR has been present in Colombia since 1997. OHCHR-Colombia operates from the capital city, Bogotá, and ten offices across the country. It implements a comprehensive strategy that includes:1) monitoring of the human rights situation with a view to advising the authorities on the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and measures to promote and protect human rights, also in the context of violence, including through the presentation of annual reports on the human rights situation in Colombia to the Human Rights Council; 2) cooperation and technical assistance and advice to the Government to promote respect and observance of human rights and international humanitarian law in Colombia; 3) provision of technical assistance and advice to civil society and non-governmental human rights organizations and individuals, and 4) promotion of human rights to the general public and dissemination of information on international human rights and humanitarian law standards. The historical Peace Agreement signed in November 2016, by the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) has provided OHCHR with additional responsibilities on a wide range of human rights related components. This includes to monitor and report on public policies for the dismantling of criminal organizations and protecting human rights defenders, security for FARC members as they transition from ex combatants to fully fledged political party members, case review of detained FARC members, and accompanying victims in their search for truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Coordinator of the field presence, the UN Volunteer contribute to the following tasks:

• Facilitate the implementation of human rights mandate in the designated area of responsibility (AOR); • Assist in monitoring the human rights situation from a given thematic priority and geographical responsibility; • In close coordination with the field office coordinator, prepare and support fact-finding field missions including the timely drafting of reports and follow-up; • Support follow up on individual cases and issues with authorities with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations or seeking remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future; • Support in the establishment and maintenance of contacts with government representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners operating in the AOR; • Assist in conducting human rights capacity-building activities and in developing and implementing human rights training programmes; • Contribute to and/or draft various reports, communications, briefing notes, statements or other products; • Ensure the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database; conduct quality control and deliver statistics and trend reports as required; • Ensure the integration of gender perspectives, with specific attention to issues related to women and girls, including conflict related sexual violence, within all assigned human rights activities; • Help with occasional basic administrative tasks when needed; • Perform other related duties 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.

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:

• Contribution is made towards improving the human rights situation; • An overview of the human rights situation within the area of responsibility (AOR) is maintained; • Accurate analytical reports on the human rights situation are produced and submitted on time and the database is updated; • Good relationships are developed and effective advocacy conducted with local authorities; • Relationships with a variety of stakeholders are established, maintained and expanded; • Human rights awareness and training programmes relevant to the human rights issues in the AOR are conducted; • 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 • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • 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.

a field related to human rights. • Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is required. • Excellent knowledge of international human rights instruments and tools for the promotion and protection of human rights is required. • Experience working in Colombia is an asset. • Experience working in a developing, conflict or post-conflict setting is an advantage. • 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;

LIVING CONDITIONS FOR ARAUCA

Colombia is a large country (1,141,748 km2); its population rises to 50 million. Arauca is one of the thirty-two departments. Its capital sits in Arauca City.The department of Arauca is located in the northern region of the Colombian Orinoquia, bordering with Venezuela, and surrounded by the Arauca River to the North, the straight line between the Meta and Arauca rivers. To the South it is facing the rivers Meta and Casanare, serving as borders with the departments of Vichada and Casanare respectively, and to the west with the Eastern mountain range that separates it from Boyacá. Arauca’s population rises to 265.000 inhabitants, as for Arauca City, its population rises to 95.000. The municipality's health system counts with seven entities, including hospitals and health care facilities. Five national banks operate in the city and three mobile service operators. The city has a modest offer of hotel services, and a variety of tourist and cultural services such as local museums, the municipal library, the house of culture, and rural tourism. Several roads connect Arauca City with surrounding towns as well as the 659 Km to Bogota. The airport Santiago Pérez Quiroz is 2.8 km from the urban area serviced by one local airline. Weather in Arauca is warm all year long, with temperatures between 22 and 36 degrees Celsius. Its rainy season runs from March to November.

Visitors are advised that some clinics request a down payment before they admit a patient, even in emergency situations. Visitors should take medical precautions and advice should be sought before travel. Travelers to some areas in Colombia must have yellow fever vaccination. Travel to some areas of Colombia require preventive malaria medications.

LIVING CONDITIONS FOR MEDELLIN

Conditions of living in Medellín are generally good. Medellín is one of the main cities of Colombia, with a variety of activities from sightseeing to theatres, cinemas, cultural and sports activities, and restaurants that offer typical local and regional food as well as international cuisine. Weather in Medellin is generally warm and with a significant rainfall. The average temperature in Medellín is between 16°C y 26°C. It is the capital of the Department of Antioquia, where there are populations suffering from violence linked to the internal armed conflict and by other non-state armed groups.

Medical services in main cities (private clinics and hospitals) are available. Visitors are advised that some clinics request a down payment before they admit a patient, even in emergency situations. Visitors should take medical precautions and advice should be sought before travel. Travelers to some areas in Colombia must have yellow fever vaccination. Travel to some areas of Colombia require preventive malaria medications.

Conditions of Service

The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 1,631. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website - http://icsc.un.org.