Junior Human Rights Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Deployed in March 2014, the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has a comprehensive mandate to monitor and report on the human rights situation throughout Ukraine, including in Ukrainian territory occupied by the Russian Federation, and to make recommendations to the Government and other actors to address human rights concerns as documented by the Mission. Recommendations outline concrete follow-up actions to address these concerns, prevent violations and mitigate emerging risks. HRMMU monitors, reports, and advocates on the human rights situation through its presence in multiple locations across Ukraine, as well as small remote team in Chisinau, Moldova. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 78/221, HRMMU also monitors remotely, reports and advocates on the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of HRMMU Satellite Office in Moldova and the Human Rights Officer working on civilian casualties, or their designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Junior Human Rights Officer will: •Participate, as part of a team, in remote monitoring of the human rights situation, including identifying emerging trends and patterns of human rights violations •Support work on casualty recording through the systematic collection and verification of information on individual deaths and injuries in both Government-controlled and occupied territory of Ukraine •Conduct open-source research/monitoring on human rights violations, including on social media platforms and messengers •Establish, maintain and develop networks of interlocutors, such as human rights activists, journalists, lawyers and others, who possess relevant knowledge on the human rights situation in the occupied territory of Ukraine •Utilize existing information management tools for the safe storage of relevant information for the remote monitoring of the human rights situation in the occupied territory of Ukraine and casualty recording •Provide support to liaising with relevant partners and stakeholders, including civil society organizations, national human rights institutions, and international organizations, and foster and maintain their active engagement in the work of OHCHR in the occupied territory of Ukraine •Assist in conducting monitoring, research and information/data assessment to help produce analytical papers, reports, press briefing notes and other advocacy material in relation to the human rights situation in the occupied territory of Ukraine and casualty recording •Contribute to OHCHR’s periodic and ad hoc reports, bearing in mind OHCHR’s guidance on results-based management •Provide inputs to various written communications such as talking points and briefing notes on relevant substantive/thematic issues •Provide administrative and logistical support, including organizing remote events and meetings •Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisors

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: - OHCHR’s monitoring work effectively and timely supported and carried out - Quality reports are published mainstreaming gender- and youth –components •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. •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.

human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related area is required. •Demonstrable experience in open-source monitoring or research is highly desirable. •Experience working on a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Human rights monitoring and/or reporting experience is desirable. •Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded. •Excellent drafting skills in English are required.

Ukraine is currently a hardship duty station with a volatile security situation as a result of the ongoing armed conflict. Therefore, the position is based in Chisinau, Moldova where reasonable health, education and transportation facilities can be provided. Living standards in Chisinau are relatively high and currently the situation is stable, although it remains fluid, complex and unpredictable and requires readiness to adapt to the changing circumstances. Airports in the area might be affected in case of conflict deterioration and not operate.

Work on the situation with the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is a unique opportunity. 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. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to deal with difficult and possibly distressing themes and imagery are essential.

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is a well-developed city with a very high degree of security. It offers a diverse range of accommodation, restaurants, has public transport, and has a large number of parks. Supermarkets have a good selection of products, Internet is available, running water and heating function well, state run as well as private clinics are available.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances:

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service. For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos). For information specific to this assignment please see below:

Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations of the monthly post adjustment.

Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): USD 2170.5 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 4000 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): $225 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance

Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: 30 days Uncertified sick leave: 7 days Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months Maternity Leave: 16 weeks Paternity Leave: 10 days

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station and an entry lump sum will be provided. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation and exit allowance for satisfactory service.