Assistant Human Rights 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 assignment with the Equality, Non-Discrimination, Participation Unit (ENDPU), located within the Special Procedures Branch (SPB), part of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division (TESPRDD). The special procedures of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective. SPB provides support to 45 thematic special procedures mandates as well as general support to the overall special procedures system. As one of the functional clusters of the SPB, ENDPU supports eight special procedures mandates, namely those on violence against women and girls, discrimination against women and girls, trafficking in persons, racism, freedom of assembly and association, international order, international solidarity, and right to development. The incumbent will operate under the overall guidance of the SPB Chief and direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Equality, Non-Discrimination, Participation Unit (ENDPU) and/or of designated Human Rights Officer within ENDPU. This UNV assignment is offered in the context of a pilot programme bringing qualified candidates from the developing economies to volunteer with OHCHR. Candidates from developing economies in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa are encouraged to apply. The expected starting date of this assignment is May/June 2023, for a period of six (6) months. Please, note that this UN University Volunteer assignment is limited to a maximum duration of 6 months. Applicants are encouraged to apply for this position if it relates directly to their studies, expertise and/or skills. You can explain why you are a suitable candidate for this OHCHR assignment while applying. Applicants will have to meet the age-related requirements for University UNVs, i.e. 18-26 years during the entire duration of the assignment. UN International University Volunteer assignments are always without family.

Task description

The responsibilities of the University UN Volunteer (ENDPU, SPB) include, but are not limited, to the following duties: • Researches and assists in the analysis of information pertaining to human rights matters, from a variety of data sources, with a specific focus on issues related to discrimination against women and girls. • Assists in drafting a wide range of documents, including correspondence with Governments, in follow-up to information submitted to special procedures mandates on specific human rights situations, and briefing notes and talking points to assist special procedures mandates’ participation in key events. • Assists in preparing country visits of the special procedures mandates, including the preparation of country-assessments, coordination with parties involved, and assistance in handling logistics. • Assists in the organization of consultations and other expert meetings to inform the thematic research and reports of special procedures mandates. • Supports daily handling of email correspondence and maintenance of mandate webpages and other outreach tools. • Assists with other tasks as required by her/his supervisors in order to ensure effective support to special procedure mandates. 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- Provide annual and end of assignment reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities using UNV’s Volunteer Reporting Application- 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.