UNV Human Rights Officer in Guinea Bissau

UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT GNBR000047--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 Guinea Bissau

Host Institute UN PKO in Guinea-Bissau

Volunteer Category International Specialist

Number of Volunteer 1

Duration 3 months

Expected Starting Date 01-10-2018

Duty Station Bissau [GNB]

Assignment Place Family Duty Station

Assignment Place Remark

3 months of contract, renewable in accordance with the mandate of UNIOGBIS

Living Conditions

Capital: Bissau; Population of Guinea-Bissau: 1.449.230 (45 % Muslims and 10% Catholic, 45% other), according to 2009 Population and Housing census.

Climate: Bissau aprox. 25°-30°; Rainy season from June to October

Health: The health sector is very precarious. The United Nations have their own health center for basic health care services.

Language: Official language: Portuguese; Spoken language: Creole; Working language at the United Nations: English and French.

Electricity and Communications: Some areas of Bissau have electricity nearly 24 hours per day, others depend on generators. There are several internet cafes in Bissau.

The country code is 245. MTN and Orange are the mobile phone companies in the country.

6 Jun 2018 Page 1 of 5 Money/Banking: There is access to banks and to 24/7 local ATM services. Security: Although there is a certain political instability, the day to day life is calm. Neither the International Community nor the

population of Guinea-Bissau is not affected the political instability. The UN staff members are equipped with Codan Radios (VHF) for

communication with other UN staff members and UN Security Department.

Assignment Details

Assignment Title Human Rights Officer

Organizational Context & Project Description

The United Nations Integrated Peace building Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) was established by the Security Council

resolution 1876 of 26 June 2009. The Security Council on 23 November 2010 extended UNIOGBIS mandate until 31 December

2011. In accordance with its mandate 1949 (2010), UNIOGBIS shall assist the national authorities in strengthening the capacities of

national institutions and the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau. On 28 February 2018, the Security Council extended the mandate of

UNIOGBIS for a period of 12 months, until 28 February 2019. According to the mandate, resolution 2404 (2018), UNIOGBIS shall

focus on supporting the full implementation of the Conakry Agreement and the ECOWAS Roadmap, and facilitate an inclusive

political dialogue and national reconciliation process, strengthening democratic governance, particularly with regards to the

implementation of necessary urgent reforms; Supporting, through good offices the electoral process to ensure inclusive, free and

credible legislative elections in 2018 within the legally mandated time frame; providing support, including by technical assistance, to

national authorities in expediting and completing the review of Guinea-Bissau’s Constitution. UNIOGBIS should also continue to lead

international efforts in areas such as support for the strengthening of democratic institutions; the promotion and protection of human

rights; the combat of drug trafficking and transnational organized crime and the incorporation of a gender perspective into

peacebuilding and in resource mobilization, harmonization and coordination for the upcoming elections.

In the area of human rights, Security Council Resolution 2404 highlights that UNIOGBIS and the Special Representative will continue

to assist, coordinate and lead international efforts in Assisting national authorities and stakeholders in the promotion and protection

of human rights as well as undertake human rights monitoring and reporting activities.

Thus, the Human Right Section of UNIOGBIS is mandated to support the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to : (a)

coordinate and lead international efforts in the promotion and protection of human rights; (b) assist national authorities in the

promotion and protection of human rights; (c) Assist stakeholders in the promotion and protection of human rights; (d) undertake

human rights monitoring activities; (e) undertake human rights reporting activities.

Sustainable Development Goals

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

UNV Focus Area Peace building

Task description

This position is located in the Human Rights Section (HRS) of UNIOGBIS. Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority,

under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Human Rights Section, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Researches, collects, verifies, analyses and synthesizes significant amounts of information of relevance to human rights,

including from open sources;

Draft a wide variety of analytical and public reports, briefings, and other human rights related documents, including weekly,

monthly, annual or ad hoc or thematic reports in English and in Portuguese;

In close collaboration with the heads of the thematic units, support the Human Rights Section on human rights monitoring,

assessment, and reporting activities as well as on capacity building and technical cooperation in the area of human rights;

Supports the Human Rights Section in the development, monitoring and evaluation of the Work Plan in accordance with the

financial requirements and programmatic and strategic guidance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,

the United Nations Country Team and the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea Bissau in close

collaboration with the Administrative Assistant, and the heads of the thematic units;

6 Jun 2018 Page 2 of 5 Conduct and participate in field missions to assess the human rights situation; Provide human rights training to various audiences and contribute to capacity building efforts of National Human Rights

Defenders and other stakeholders;

Contribute to efforts towards the institutionalization of human rights education in the education, health, justice, defense and

security sectors;

Contribute to efforts towards the elaboration of a National Action Plan on Human Rights Education and a National Action Plan

on Human Rights;

Assisting in gathering information on political and security developments and in analyzing its impact on the human rights

situation;

Contributes to the integration of gender perspectives/considerations and specific women/girls' rights issues in all activities and

for the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;

Contributes to programmatic initiatives of the component, including RBB and OHCHR AWP/CP planning, monitoring and

evaluation processes;

Work collaboratively in a team and show willingness to learn from others;

Perform other related duties as required by the section and assigned by the Chief of the Human Rights Section.

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

Effective implementation of UNIOGBIS’ Human Rights mandate;

Effective participation in the implementation of UNSCR 1325/1820 and the mission’s activities;

Active involvement in the organization of field visits and production of update reports;

• 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 (at least postgraduate certificate, or Masters) in Law or Human Rights

First-level degree In Law, political science, international relations, social science, or another discipline relevant o human rights

(Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the

advanced university degree.

Required experience 24 months

Experience Remark

Two 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. Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is desirable.

6 Jun 2018 Page 3 of 5 Experience in research and drafting documents, such as reports, is desirable. Experience working in or on Africa is desirable. Experience working in a developing, conflict or post-conflict setting is an advantage.

Language Skills

English (Mandatory) , Level - Fluent

AND - Portuguese (Mandatory) , Level - Fluent

AND - French (Optional) , Level - Working Knowledge

Area of Expertise

Human rights Mandatory

Rule of law, judicial and national legal system reform Mandatory

Area of Expertise Requirement

Need Driving Licence Yes

Competencies & Values

Accountability

Adaptability and Flexibility

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Communication

Integrity

Planning and Organizing

Professionalism

Respect for Diversity

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

6 Jun 2018 Page 4 of 5 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

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 GNBR000047-2838

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: 24 June 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.

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