Security and Peace 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-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 nine 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 the legal Officer and the overall coordination of the OHCHR Deputy Representative, the UN Volunteer contributes to the following tasks:

• Support the preparation of factual and analytical documents on the human rights situation and other relevant international standards.
• Support the development and monitoring of the comprehensive security and peace strategy in line with the Office's strategic framework. • Provide the necessary support for the effective coordination of the Office with state security institutions, national authorities, and civil society actors. • Support context studies that allow for the proposal of territorial prevention lines for communities, considering the differential or intersectional approach. • Support follow-up studies on the application of human rights standards and other relevant international norms in the implementation of the Ministry of National Defense’s Security and Defense Policy. • Support follow-up studies on the application of human rights standards in the implementation of the Citizen Security Policy of the National Security Advisor. • Support OHCHR's technical assistance processes to government and state counterparts responsible for the security and peace agendas. • Contribute in the systematize and analyze relevant information related to the emerging dynamics of violence. • Support in the Participation of the verification of cases of human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by members of the security forces, as well as other situations of violence of interest to the OHCHR such as the facts of alleged massacres, applying the OHCHR Monitoring Manual.
• Any other relevant activity or function as required by the supervisor within the scope of competence.

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:

• Reports are presented in a timely and high-quality manner in specific areas and topics, in accordance with OHCHR standards. • Regional context documents that specify territorial prevention mechanisms for communities, considering the differential or intersectionality approach. • Documents on human rights standards applicable to the implementation of the Ministry of National Defense’s Security and Defense Policy. • Documents on human rights standards applicable to the implementation of the Citizen Security Policy by the National Security Advisor. • Human rights events, courses, seminars, and workshops are organized successfully and in accordance with UN standards and procedures. • Update the systematization of information on emerging dynamics of violence and their analysis. • Include in the database cases of alleged human rights violations allegedly perpetrated by members of the security forces that have been monitored and verified.
• The age, gender and diversity 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.

human rights and international human rights law, preferably in the area of technical assistance to national institutions (e.g. Attorney General's Office, Ombudsman's Office), at the national and/or international level. • Excellent interpersonal skills; both verbal and written communications skills as well as strong team working skills • 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 • Ability to manage multiple tasks in an effective, proactive, and timely manner. • 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 the main airports in Europe. It is very close to the urban area and is easily accessible, either by public or private transport.

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 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.

UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station.

UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy