Assistant Project Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat Department responsible for strengthening international human rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; widening the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.

Context

This announcement broadcasts international a UN University Volunteer assignment with Secretariat of the Humanitarian Funds in the Anti-Torture, Coordination and Funds Section (ACFS) of the Human Rights Treaties Branch (HRTB). The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery was established by the General Assembly in 1991 (resolution 46/122), to provide rehabilitation and assistance to individuals whose human rights have been severely violated as a result of contemporary forms of slavery. The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture was established in 1981 by the General Assembly (resolution 36/151) to help victims and their families to rebuild their lives and to seek redress for the human rights violations they have suffered. (The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery and the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture are jointly referred to as the UN Humanitarian Funds.) Based in Geneva, Switzerland, under the overall guidance of the Chief of Section, the University Volunteer works under the supervision of a Human Rights Officer and the Humanitarian Funds Secretary. The assignment shall be for a combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor, with a commencement date ranging/starting April through October 2023. APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO INDICATE THEIR PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY IN THE COVER-LETTER OF THEIR APPLICATION.

Task description

The University Volunteer shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission: to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. Daily responsibilities of Human Rights (Humanitarian Funds) volunteer will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to: - Contribute to fundraising and communications efforts by updating strategy documents and workplans, preparing various fundraising materials (talking points, letters, factsheets, social media assets, impact stories, etc.), and conducting research and data collection on donors’ interest, priorities and previous engagement with the Funds; - Evaluate project applications; - Liaise with applicant civil society organizations to provide technical assistance; - Conduct substantive research on developments concerning torture and contemporary forms of slavery in specific countries, with the aim of helping the Organization provide direct assistance to victims of torture and/or slavery and their family members; - Compile information on best practices and lessons learned from grantees of the Funds; - Help with the organization and servicing of annual sessions of the Funds' Boards of Trustees, including public events and policy discussions; - Take notes during meetings with stakeholders and carry out administrative duties such as the preparation of documentation and reference files; - Perform other related duties as requested by supervisor, as appropriate.