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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

This vacancy is now closed.
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