Human Rights Officer

Job Title: Human Rights Officer

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: OHCHR

Assignment country: Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Expected start date: 01/08/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Accessibility measures in place: -

Type: Onsite

Duration: 6 months

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Caracas

Reasonable accommodation: No

Additional accessibility info: -

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. The Office represent the world's commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Office have a unique role to: • Promote and protect all human rights: We speak out objectively in the face of human rights violations and help elaborate the standards that are used to evaluate human rights progress worldwide. • Help empower people: Our research, education, and advocacy activities, contributes to the increased awareness and engagement by the international community and the public on human rights issues. This means thousands of people in all regions of the world are empowered to claim their rights. • Assist Governments: Through our field presences, we help prevent abuses and contribute to defusing situations that could lead to conflict. Our monitoring and analysis feeds sensitive decision-making and development programming. We also provide capacity-building and legal advice to thousands, supporting the development and judicious enactment of laws and policies the world around. • Inject a human rights perspective into all UN programmes: We mainstream human rights into all UN programmes to ensure that peace and security, development, and human rights - the three pillars of the UN - are interlinked and mutually reinforced. In carrying out its mission, UN Human Rights: • Gives priority to addressing the most pressing human rights violations, both acute and chronic, particularly those that put life in imminent peril • Focuses attention on those who are at risk and vulnerable on multiple fronts • Pays equal attention to the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights, including the right to development • Measures the impact of its work through the substantive benefit that is accrued, through it, to individuals around the world

Context

Since 2019, the UN Human Rights Office works in Venezuela as part of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator. The presence in Venezuela allows the Office to provide support for the effective implementation of recommendations issued in these reports, as well as those from other UN human rights mechanisms, and continue to credibly assess the human rights situation and challenges from the ground. In accordance with the terms established in the agreement signed by de Government of Venezuela and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the main functions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela are the following: - To provide technical assistance to state institutions to assist in the implementation of policies, programs and measures to promote and protect human rights; - To mainstream human rights including gender equality dimensions and considerations amongst the UN Country Team and humanitarian work; - To accompany and support civil society organizations; - To monitor, document and analyze the human rights situation in the country, including through field visits and visits of detention centers; share and exchange with relevant authorities related human rights concerns; - To promote the observance of human rights and the implementation of recommendations made by international human rights bodies and mechanisms; - To report on the activities of the Office and the general human rights situation in the country according to the mandates given by the Human Rights Council and the man-date of the High Commissioner for Human Rights with a gender perspective. The UN Volunteer will contribute to the strengthening of the strategic thematic priorities for the current planning cycle, including the implementation of a gender perspective. The UN Volunteer will interact with other UN agencies, funds, and programs, as well as with public institutions, authorities, and civil society, particularly those dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Unit Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Gather information and report on the human rights situation in the thematic area, including through contacts with other United Nations actors, humanitarian actors, state authorities and civil society. • Support the assistance to state authorities and civil society organization to develop and implement policies and training programs in particular in the field of women and LGBTI people’s rights, with attention to gender perspective, including diversity and inclusive approaches. • Prepare and undertake field missions including the timely drafting of reports and follow up in particular to the situation of human rights of women and LGBTI people. • Conduct substantive research analysis of compliance of national legal framework and/or public policies with international human rights standards and asses their impact on the human rights situation of women and LGBTI people. • Promote dialogue between local human rights and civil society networks, humanitarian actors, local authorities and the OHCHR Office in Venezuela on measures to pro-mote the observance of human rights in their locality with a gender perspective. • Use the OHCHR database to enter cases and document allegations and violation of human rights violations in particular of women and LGBTI people. • Support implementation of the UN Free&Equal campaign. • Provide technical assistance and follow up to activities with counterparts and partners at different levels within the framework of the Office´s Mandate with attention to gender perspectives.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in • Knowledge of the UN International human rights standards and mechanisms. • Experience working in the Latin American Region and/or knowledge of the human rights and women and LGBTI people’s rights in the region is considered an advantage. • Experience on monitoring and reporting on human rights desirable. • Experience in the application of international human rights law, standards and protections mechanisms is highly desirable. • Commitment to volunteerism, previous experience as a volunteer or with human rights volunteer organizations is an advantage. • Excellent oral and written skills in English and Spanish; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel and to deliver under pressure; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Area(s) of expertise

Crisis and emergency response

Driving license

-

Languages

Spanish, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Law, political science, international relations or social sciences with human rights academic and/or gender academic.

Competencies and values

• Adaptability and Flexibility. • Commitment and Motivation. • Communication. • Planning and Organizing. • Professionalism. • Working in Teams.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The volunteer will be based in the city of Caracas, which is Venezuela's largest urban agglomeration (the population of Caracas is approximately 6 million people) and the country's main center of industry, commerce, education, and culture. The city is the seat of the national government and of most of Venezuela's commercial and industrial enterprises. Spanish is the most widely spoken language, although English is also common. Caracas has many options for apartment rentals. It is advisable to rent a place close to the office, within walking distance. The area where the OHCHR office is located has different options of supermarkets, shopping malls, plazas and medical centers that provide health care to the inhabitants of the capital. There are many buses, but it is not advisable to take them because of their deterioration and insecurity; cabs from private and well-known lines can provide safe transportation. Internet and other services fail continuously. There are frequent power, water, and Internet outages. Banking services are limited and insufficient in the context of hyperinflation; only very small amounts can be withdrawn from ATMs or banks, which are insignificant for their use. Staff relies on the use of debit cards and transfer agreements. Although the use of the U.S. dollar is officially restricted in the country, it unofficially circulates in the local market. International staff live in hotels and rented accommodations, prices are high and are currently converted to U.S. dollars. Venezuela is a beautiful country with very friendly people who are always willing to help and show solidarity. Serving as a volunteer in Venezuela, in the context of the humanitarian and COVID-19 crisis, offers a very enriching experience, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than in other places to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially dangerous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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