Human Rights Associate

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a 'leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the leading UN entity on human rights with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people and prioritize human rights in all UN operations.

This position is located in the UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe. The Office is one of the presences of OHCHR. Its primary function is to advance the protection and promotion of human rights in the European Union (EU). In addition, the Regional Office works for the integration of a human rights approach in EU external action, migration policies and development cooperation, seizing the impetus created by the Sustainable Development Agenda. The Regional Office further fulfils a good offices role between the UN Human Rights Office globally and UN mechanisms on the one hand and EU institutions on the other.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Associate will be responsible for the following duties:

• Assists in identifying, tracking and analysing EU-level developments, including to support meaningful engagement by Headquarter.
• Support the Regional Office's engagement with the EU institutions on Agenda 2030 commitments and the mainstreaming of the LNOB principle.
• Engage with regional organizations to share, leverage and secure capacities and engagement.
• Collects, analyses, summarizes and presents information/events, policy initiatives, statements and documents of EU institutions on migration, and assist in the identification of opportunities for action by the Regional Office, Headquarter or UN mechanisms in a timely manner.
• Provide continuous support to the migration-related deliverables of the first EU-OHCHR Strategic Dialogue, liaising with the migration team at Headquarter.
• Serve as the alternate member to the FRONTEX Consultative Forum and provide support to the Deputy Regional Representative as the member to the Consultative Forum.
• Participate in meetings and seminars when necessary to follow discussions, monitor follow-up activities and outcomes, prepare presentations, briefing notes, talking points and speeches.
• Maintains and expands contacts with the EP, its Committees, Subcommittees and MEPs to support the Regional Office's senior management produce strategies for strategic engagement and to further enhance OHCHR's partnerships.
• Monitor, analyse, and assess developments and initiatives in Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, Croatia and Slovenia as concerns national and EU policies and relations, human rights developments and trends, providing regular updates to the Regional Office's Representative.
• Selects and evaluates a variety of documents, summarize pertinent material, collects and analyses data and prepares background materials for assessment papers, advisory services, studies, briefs and reports (NEAR region).
• Prepares, maintains, and updates files and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, charts, graphs, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews (e.g., OHCHR's Weekly Update).
• Drafts programme/project summaries, co-ordinates review and clearance process and co-ordinates with editor, translation services, etc., on finalization and publication of reports in multiple languages.
• Identifies the organizational requirements for conferences and meetings and assists in the preparation of documentation and reports for these meetings.
• Attends a variety of meetings to follow discussions, takes notes and prepares summary report, notes for the file, correspondence, etc.
• Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff.
• Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:

Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures. Ability to undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Ability to identify sources for data collection, analyse information and draft human rights reports. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. The ability to perform analysis, modelling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

COMMUNICATION:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors' language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

TEAMWORK:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Law, Political Sciences, International Relations, Social Sciences or related field is desirable, but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• A minimum of six (6) years of experience (with secondary education), or three (3) years (with a Bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in human rights, law, political affairs, international relations, administration or related area is required.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting of human rights situations and identifying relevant cooperation within a national and/or international context is required.
• Experience conducting research in the context of human rights is required.
• Proficiency in the usage of office software packages and experience in the handling of web-based management systems required.
• Knowledge of East Europe and West Balkans region an asset.
• Knowledge of human rights related provisions of the United Nations Rules, Regulations, Manuals and Policies is desirable.
• Experience working with issues related to rule of law or human rights is desirable.
• Experience with the UN common system, the EU or other similar international organization is desirable.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

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