UNV Human Rights Officer

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.

Haiti’s recent history has been marked by political instability, social and economic insecurity, corruption and criminal violence. State institutions lack the capacity to provide basic services and entrenched structural inefficiency, lack of transparency and political interference in the justice system have led to a widespread sense of injustice. Since 2018, the political crisis has intensified, with regular demonstrations demanding accountability and Jovenel Moise’s resignation.

Within this context, women and girls are particularly affected by periods of unrest, including through practices of violence that directly impact their safety. The fact that crimes, particularly sexual and gender-based crimes, remain unpunished and unremedied for victims and their families contributes to the entrenchment of a chain of recurring abuses in a society where gender inequalities have largely prevented women from contributing to political and judicial institutions. Women and girls are not affected in the same way, nor in the same proportions, by a situation of conflict, violence or impunity. They are more exposed to physical, sexual and psychological violence, loss of income and poverty, an increase in family burden through traditional care roles, and they have more difficult access to institutional justice, but remain largely excluded from conflict prevention and recovery.

In the context of efforts to strengthen the rule of law in Haiti, accountability and the fight against impunity are key in preventing future atrocity crimes, and rebuilding trust and social cohesion between the State and Haitians citizens. There is an urgent need to address the warning signs and risk factors for atrocity crimes in Haiti, and to start building a strong prevention and protection framework.

This position is located within the UNDP Rule of Law and Security unit, within the Governance team. Under the direct supervision of the respective Unit team leader and the overall supervision of the Head of the Governance unit, the UNV Human Rights Officer will:

• Coordinate the implementation of UNDP/OHCHR project (through INL fund), under the direct supervision of the UNDP Team Lea Rule of Law and Security • Implement UNDP activities as described in the project document • Contribute to and/or draft quarterly and annual reports, communications, briefing notes, statements, or other products • Maintain a positive synergy between UNDP and OHCHR • Ensure human rights mainstreaming within UN planning and programming • Provide technical support to M&E and communication • Provide regular update on the Risk and sustainability plans • 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 impact 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/AOR. • Build relationships with a wide range of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to support and/or participate in community-driven voluntary activities; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking; raise awareness in communities that will increase knowledge of issues pertaining to the UNV programme’s mandate and its role in supporting the Mission and human rights mandate. • Encourage, mobilize, and support co-workers and fellow UN Volunteers to better understand the connections between the UNV programme’s engagement within the Mission and voluntary action. • Contribute articles/write-ups/stories on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • 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.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative, and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality, and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • 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. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relationships. • 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.

Three years of work experience in a field related to human rights. Knowledge of international human rights instruments and tools for the promotion and protection of human rights is required. Knowledge of international humanitarian law is desirable. Experience in research and drafting documents, such as reports, is required. Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is desirable. Experience working in Haiti is desirable. Experience working in a developing, conflict or post-conflict setting is an advantage.

Haiti is non-family duty station. The country is mostly mountainous, with a tropical climate. There are two rainy seasons (April-May and September-October). The hurricane season occurs from June to September and the average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius.

Health: UN Volunteers should be aware that they are exposed to a number of tropical diseases and should complete all medical formalities specified in the offer of assignment before travelling and bring with them sufficient and appropriate medical supplies. The following vaccinations are required and/or recommended prior to travel or upon arrival: typhoid, hepatitis A and B, yellow fever (required for travellers arriving), polio, rabies, tetanus/diphtheria, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), malaria (prophylaxis is recommended for almost all parts of the country). UN personnel has access to a medical clinic during office hours. There is also a selection of other health facilities available in Haiti, although for any major surgery or tests, you may be referred to the Dominican Republic or Miami.

Accommodation: accommodation is available at a reasonable cost. Most UN Volunteers share houses/apartments. Upon arrival, temporary accommodation is provided in an apartment or hotel until permanent housing is found. The UNV Support Office assists in identifying an apartment or house, e.g., by arranging to visit houses that are currently available.

Power and water: in most regions, including Port-au-Prince, both electricity and water is readily available. Most hotels have secured water and generators in the event of a power failure.

Food and diet: fresh food is seasonal but varied. Most staple foods are common in the supermarkets. Port-au-Prince has a selection of reasonably priced restaurants with good health standards. Restaurants can be found in the provinces as well, but the standard, the quality of food and the level of hygiene may be limited, while availability of certain foods may be limited or seasonal as well. The usual precautions need to be taken when eating outside the home: no salads, bottled water, and all meat to be thoroughly cooked. Minor stomach upsets are almost inevitable at some stage.

Bank and Communication: Upon your arrival in Haiti, your account will be opened with a foreign bank. The currency of account is normally USD. You can purchase SIM card in Haiti from any of the leading telephone companies for your personal use; if required (based on your working requirements), you can be issued an official SIM card by the mission (upon request of your respective section). Besides the SIM card, you would also get the PIN Code from CITS to make international/local calls, which are usually cheaper than the mobile phones (and the cost of personal calls will be deducted from your monthly entitlements).

Clothing: Climate in Haiti is tropical – we suggest bringing some warm clothes for evening use (not frequently), raincoat or umbrella, sunglasses, hat, long sleeves clothes to be protected from sun and mosquitoes.

Haiti is a unique country, and it requires more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in hazardous and harsh conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are absolutely essential.