IUNV Specialist 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.

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of Civic Space Unit in Colombia, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Assist in monitoring, fact-finding and follow-up activities in relation to the situation of human rights defenders in Colombia through: field monitoring missions; dialogue with state authorities including the AGO, security forces and no state actors; networking with human rights defenders and following individual cases in close coordination with the regional OHCHR field presences;

• Contribute to regular reporting on the situation of human rights defenders with a special attention on women human rights defenders and areas related with the fight against impunity in cases of attacks against human rights defenders including identification of regional trends and patterns of attacks, early warning analysis and regular internal and external reports on activities;

• Provide support in capacity building and advisory services as appropriate to the Specialized Unit for the investigation and prosecution of crimes against human rights defenders of the Attorney General Office and other relevant state institutions;

• 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 a gender mainstreaming with an intersectional perspective;

• Identify key contacts and opportunities for strategic partnerships to facilitate communication;

• Assist the Office to transmit and spread its mandate.

• Perform other 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:

· One or more geographical areas under the responsibility of the office with regard to human rights duly covered according to OHCHR standards;

· Cases of human rights violations duly registered and classified into the Office database to be used for reports and assessments;

· Quality reports in specific areas and themes, according to OHCHR standards;

· Human rights events, courses, seminars and workshops organized successfully and according to UN standards and procedures;

· Report on volunteer activities, events with UNV programme;

· 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 development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

· The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

• Professionalism

· Integrity

· Teamwork and respect for diversity

· Commitment to continuous learning

· Planning and organizing

· Communication

• Flexibility

• 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.

human rights, preferably in the area of technical assistance to National Institutions (e.g. Attorney General Office, Ombudsman Office).

• Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is required.

• Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights.

• Good knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive problems.

• Capacity of research, analysis, discussion and drafting 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

The UN Volunteer will be located in Bogotá, which is the capital of Colombia. All public and health services are available in Bogotá, as well as cultural and other recreational activities. Since this is an international UNV assignment, the holder will be responsible for the organization of his or her own home and the other essential elements of life. Official missions and all movements must be reported to UNDSS. United Nations Volunteers are part of an insurance plan.

Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and one of the most populated cities in Latin America, so that subsistence expenses (including housing expenses) are higher than in other cities. Living and working conditions in Bogotá present "low" risks. The city has security problems common to most growing capitals, however this does not create a permanent risk exposure for national and international staff. All UN Volunteers receive a report from the Mission Security Section that addresses the security environment of the duty station, guides the security measures to adopt and the selection of the residence. United Nations Volunteers are entitled to a grant for improvements in residential security (MORSS) and have access to security training (some are mandatory, and others recommended).

In Bogotá there are complete health services. In addition to the public service, several international schools are present in the city. Bogotá offers a lively cultural program and other recreational activities. The El Dorado Airport in Bogotá is the largest in the country. It is served by flights from the Americas and from the main airports in Europe. It is very close to the urban area and is easily accessible, either by public or private transport.