UNV Field Human Rights Officer in Honduras

UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT HNDR000060--Field Human Rights Officer The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long- established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

General Information

Country of Assignment Honduras

Host Institute UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Volunteer Category International Specialist

Number of Volunteer 3

Duration 12 months

Expected Starting Date 01-06-2018

Duty Station Tegucigalpa [HND]

Assignment Place Family Duty Station

Assignment Place Remark

Assignment is with family

Living Conditions

Honduras is a tropical country in the middle of Central America, bordered to the north with to Caribbean Sea, to the south with El Salvador, to the west with Guatemala and to the East with Nicaragua Climate varies significantly depending on altitude. Mid-altitude temperatures are fairly moderate with regular sunshine making temperatures climb from 15-20° C (59-68° F) to up around 28°C (low 82° F) during the middle of the day. Rainfall is quite low to moderate with a patchy wet season from May to October. Low-land and coastal regions experience less of a temperature range with warmer nights and slightly less rainfall.

The threat against UN system staff members from political activity is considered low. The threat from common criminal elements is considered highly critical in certain areas of the country. Violent crime is a serious and growing problem, especially in certain zones of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, and to a less degree throughout the country. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities at tourist sites, especially in pats of Comayaguela and the central market surroundings of Tegucigalpa. Visits to these areas should be avoided, especially after dark. Highway, road and street robberies, carjacking and assaults of pedestrians by armed 17 Apr 2018 Page 1 of 5 thieves are still high. Roadblocks and demonstrations on the main highways and border countries customs offices have decreased. In the past, demonstrations have ended in street violence, requiring intervention by national police for which precaution is

requested. Threats against the public transportation system by gangs have been reported in San Pedro Sula, supposedly related to

Organized Crime, for which caution should be maintained at all times on the street.

Visitors are specially advised to protect against mosquitoes bites in affected areas, due to insect – borne diseases such as Malaria

and Dengue Fever (both serious, potentially fatal diseases). In general mosquitoes in Honduras are most bothersome from dusk to

dawn, especially in the countryside. Other infectious diseases are common such as Diarrhea, Amoebic and food. Some specific

health cares must be considered especially hygienic practices avoid eating in places where cleaning is not ensured and pay special

attention to the hygiene of fruits and vegetables, wash fruits and vegetables carefully if you eat them raw or peel them before eating.

Assignment Details

Assignment Title Field Human Rights Officer

Organizational Context & Project Description

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Honduras was established in May 2015, following the signature of an

agreement of cooperation between the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Government of Honduras

concerning the establishment of an Office in the country.

The Office has a mandate to monitor the observance of human rights, with a view to advising the authorities of Honduras on the

formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and measures for the promotion and protection of human rights in

Honduras.

Sustainable Development Goals 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

UNV Focus Area Peace building

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Monitoring and Complaints Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following

tasks:

Gather information and report on the human rights situation in a designated geographical area; Conduct fact-finding missions;

Carry out investigations into abuses/violations of human rights law;

Contribute to regular reporting on human rights concerns, violations and abuses, including identification of regional trends,

early warning analysis and regular reports on activities;

Use the OHCHR database to enter cases and document allegations and violations of human rights violations;

Assist in the designing and the delivering of capacity building activities;

Ensure the integration of gender perspectives and attention to specific women/girl's and children’s rights issues within all

activities

Perform other related duties as required;

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:- 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- Reflect on the

type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities- 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

Through the work of the Office, the protection of individual and groups at risk is strengthened;

17 Apr 2018 Page 2 of 5 Individual cases are investigated and documented, and appropriately recorded;

The capacity of partners to contribute to human rights promotion and protection is strengthened;

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); • 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 dur-ing the assignment, such as reporting on the

number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Qualifications/Requirements

Required Degree Level Master degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments

Advanced University degree, preferably in law, political science, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights. A

combination of relevant academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required experience 36 months

Experience Remark

At least 3 years of combined professional experience at national and international levels, in the field of human rights and protection.

Language Skills

Spanish (Mandatory) , Level - Fluent

AND - English (Mandatory) , Level - Fluent

Area of Expertise

Human rights Mandatory

Area of Expertise Requirement

Excellent communication, reporting and advocacy skills. Capacity to carry out investigations in a methodical and impartial manner.

Ability to transfer knowledge and skills. Ability to take own initiatives but also to work as part of a team in an international or

multicultural environment. Knowledge of technology and use of office computer applications, including working with databases,

Familiarity with the political, social and security environment of Honduras, as they pertain to human rights issues.

Familiarity with UN human rights mechanisms.

Need Driving Licence No

Competencies & Values

Accountability

Adaptability and Flexibility

Building Trust

17 Apr 2018 Page 3 of 5 Commitment and Motivation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Communication

Empowering Others

Ethics and Values

Integrity

Judgement and Decision-making

Planning and Organizing

Professionalism

Respect for Diversity

Self-Management

Working in Teams

Conditions of Service and other information

Condition of Service Click here to view Conditions of Service

Conditions of Service for International Specialist:

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.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family

Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

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 computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,602. 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 the 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.

For example, kindly enter the link Calculator

In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a

Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis.

Furthermore, 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

17 Apr 2018 Page 4 of 5 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.

Application Code HNDR000060-2661

Application procedure

¿Aún no se ha registrado en la reserva de candidatos de VNU? Por favor, primero registre su perfil en

https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Importante: Después de crear su cuenta, complete todas las secciones de su perfil y envíelo.

Luego diríjase a “Mi Página” a través del siguiente enlace https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage y seleccione la opción de

“reclutamiento especial”. Finalmente seleccione el reclutamiento especial al cual usted desea aplicar.

¿Ya se encuentra registrada/o en la reserva de candidatos de VNU? Por favor, primero actualice su perfil en

https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/profile. Luego diríjase a “Mi Página” a través del siguiente enlace

https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/mypage y seleccione la opción de “reclutamiento especial”. Finalmente seleccione el reclutamiento

especial al cual usted desea aplicar.

Fecha límite para postularse: 24-04-2018.

Disclaimer

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are

committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

17 Apr 2018 Page 5 of 5