Human Rights Researcher in DR Congo
Lubumbashi
- Organization: UNV - United Nations Volunteers
- Location: Lubumbashi
- Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
-
Occupational Groups:
- Human Rights
- Scientist and Researcher
- Closing Date: Closed
UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT CODR000331--Human Rights Researcher 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 Congo, Democratic Republic
Host Institute UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC
Volunteer Category International Specialist
Number of Volunteer 1
Duration 12 months
workbench.possibility_of_extension Yes
Expected Starting Date Immediate
Duty Station Bukavu [COD]
Assignment Place Non-Family Duty station
Assignment Place Remark
Assignment is non family
Living Conditions
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.
Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.
18 Apr 2018 Page 1 of 5 All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited
staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile
political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including
in Kinshasa and Goma.
Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO
personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO
personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN
Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in
the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore
recommended to take prophylaxis.
The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange
traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and
cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other
places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to
send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.
In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.
Assignment Details
Assignment Title Human Rights Researcher
Organizational Context & Project Description
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) was established in 1999 under the auspices of
the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). – http://monusco.unmissions.org.
Sustainable Development Goals 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
UNV Focus Area Peace building
Task description
Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, under the general supervision of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy
Unit Coordinator, and the direct supervision of the JHRO field Coordinator, the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Conduct research activity and verify information on the alleged perpetrators of serious human rights and international
humanitarian law violations, as well as on the command structures of the different security services and armed groups
responsible for these crimes;
Review information entered into the database, and ensure the quality and consistency of the profiles in line with the project
methodology;
Assist with the entry of relevant information into the database;
Analyze the ongoing human rights situation, and ensure the regular updating of information in the database;
Identify key information gaps, and conduct research in order to provide information necessary for the completion of profiles;
Liaising with other entities in MONUSCO including the UN Military, police, and other civilian sections;
When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners
(IPs), the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching,
mentoring and formal and on-the-job training.
Any other related duties as may be 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
18 Apr 2018 Page 2 of 5 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
New profiles of alleged perpetrators of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law with all relevant
events are created and entered into the project database;
Existing profiles of alleged perpetrators of human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law are updated
with key information gaps identified, when relevant;
Updates of information are entered in the database on a regular basis;
The development of good relationships and effective advocacy with local authorities and other MONUSCO entities;
The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including
supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
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 Bachelor degree or equivalent
Education - Additional Comments
University degree in law, international relations or social sciences. Specialization or study in international Human Rights standards
preferred.
Required experience 36 months
Experience Remark
At least three years’ experience (two years in case of holding a relevant Master’s degree) in relation to the protection and promotion
of human rights and in factual and/or legal research on human rights issues and standards.
Knowledge of international human rights instruments and rules for the protection and promotion of human rights;
Knowledge of international mechanisms to seek redress for human rights violations will be an asset;
Basic knowledge of International Humanitarian Law principles would be an asset
Language Skills
French (Mandatory) , Level - Fluent
AND - English (Mandatory) , Level - Working Knowledge
Area of Expertise
18 Apr 2018 Page 3 of 5 Human rights Mandatory
Rule of law, judicial and national legal system reform Mandatory
Other rule of law or governance related experience Optional
Area of Expertise Requirement
Excellent computer skills in Microsoft suite;
Need Driving Licence Yes
Competencies & Values
Client Orientation
Communication
Creativity
Integrity
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Self-Management
Technological Awareness
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
18 Apr 2018 Page 4 of 5 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
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 CODR000331-2666
Application procedure
If you have not yet registered in the UNV Global Talent Pool, please apply by registering your profile at
https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup. Important: Once you have created your UNV account by validating your email address, please
complete all sections of your profile. Go to ‘My Page’ section of your profile, click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink and select the special
call you would like to apply for.
If you are already registered in the UNV database, please update your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/ Go to ‘My Page’ section of your
profile, click on the ‘Special Calls’ hyperlink and select the special call you would like to apply for.
Application deadline: 29 April 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.
18 Apr 2018 Page 5 of 5
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