Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
JOB DESCRIPTION
KYR-171-08-P066-01-V
General Information
Title: Junior Professional Officer / Associate Expert
Department: OHCHR / Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division (FOTCD) / Latin America, Caribbean, Europe, North America, Central Asia and National Institutions Branch (LACENACANI) / Europe, North America and Central Asia Unit (ENACA) / Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) based in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan)
Duration: 1 year (with possible extension)
Date Required: as soon as possible
Duty Station: Bishkek / Kyrgyzstan
Supervision
Direct supervision by: Regional Representative for Central Asia (RRCA)
Content and methodology of the supervision: Regular informal performance evaluation will take place as needed. In addition, the incumbent will be requested to prepare a personal work plan under the United Nations Performance Appraisal System, the purpose of which is to encourage a higher level of involvement and staff participation in the planning, delivery and evaluation of work. The yearly PAS evaluation procedure encompasses a detailed work plan, as well as ongoing evaluation that include mid-year review and year-end review. An important function of the PAS is to promote communication between staff members and supervisors on the goals to be achieved, and the basis on which individual performance will be assessed, encouraging team work in progress.
Duties, responsibilities and output expectations
Under the general supervision of the Chief of LACENACANI and the direct supervision of the Regional Representative for Central Asia, the incumbent will, inter alia:
· Conduct substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and address their impact on the human rights situation in the country;
· Plan, design and implement capacity-building projects and activities in the country;
· Write a variety of reports, communications, briefings and statements;
· Represent the UN human rights programme at working level meetings;
· Investigate selected cases through interviewing victims and witnesses, undertaking fact-finding missions and gathering relevant documentation and information from various sources;
· Consolidate information and analyze relevant aspects of cases in order to identify trends, possible patterns of human rights violations and systematic practices;
· Support efforts to mainstream human rights into the programmes of the UNCT in Kyrgyzstan;
· Assist national and international partners in rights protection activities;
· Perform other related duties as required.
Results / Expected Output:
v Strengthened promotion of human rights values and principles in Kyrgyzstan
v Increased protection of victims of human rights violations in Kyrgyzstan
v Technical cooperation programmes with the government and civil society in Kyrgyzstan implemented
v Better coordination of donors and others interested in human rights promotion in Kyrgyzstan
Qualifications and experience
Qualifications:
· Masters degree, preferably in law, political/social science, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights.
· The applicant must be under 33 years of age when applying
· Preferably, knowledge of Central Asia or the CIS region, including the political sensitivities and legal tradition as they pertain to human rights
· Two to four years of relevant work experience. Work experience in monitoring, investigating and protecting human rights in fragile countries with weak democratic institutions and in devising and implementing technical cooperation activities will be an asset.
· Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
UN competencies:
- Professionalism: good knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights will be an asset;
- Communication: strong communication (spoken written and presentation) skills, including ability to produce a variety of written reports and documents in a clear concise style;
- Planning and organizing: ability to establish priorities and to plan work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of deadlines;
- Technological awareness: good computer skills, including proficiency in word processing and other commercial software packages;
- Team work: proven interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, sound judgement and good team spirit, communication and teamwork;
- Commitment to continuous learning.
Work experience:
- Preference shall be given to candidates with previous human rights-related or United Nations work experience.
Languages:
- Fluency in English.
- Working knowledge of Russian would be desirable.
Learning Elements
The JPO/Associate Expert will be expected to, inter alia:
- Deepen her or his knowledge of human rights issues, the relevant human rights mechanisms and the practical implementation and mainstreaming of human rights in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia;
- Learn to design, implement, monitor and evaluate projects with partners in government, other international organizations and with civil society actors;
- Prepare written communications with the governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
Background information
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
The mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is to ensure the universal enjoyment of all human rights by giving practical effect to the will and resolve of the international community as expressed by the United Nations.
Mandate of OHCHR
The mandate of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights derives from Articles 1, 13 and 55 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights held at Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993 and subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 48/141, also of 20 December 1993, by which the Assembly established the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In connection with the programme for reform of the United Nations (A/51/950, para. 79), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Centre for Human Rights are now consolidated into a single Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Mission of OHCHR
The mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is 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.
In carrying out its mission OHCHR will:
· Give priority to addressing the most pressing human rights violations, both acute and chronic, particularly those that put life in imminent peril;
· Focus attention on those who are at risk and vulnerable on multiple fronts;
· Pay equal attention to the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights, including the right to development; and
· Measure the impact of its work through the substantive benefit that is accrued, through it, to individuals around the world.
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Operationally, OHCHR works with governments, legislatures, courts, national institutions, civil society, regional and international organizations, and the United Nations system to develop and strengthen capacity, particularly at the national level, for the protection of human rights in accordance with international norms.
Institutionally, OHCHR is committed to strengthening the United Nations human rights programme and to providing it with the highest quality support. OHCHR is committed to working closely with its United Nations partners to ensure that human rights form the bedrock of the work of the United Nations.
Organization of OHCHR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is divided into organizational units, one of which is the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, where the incumbent will be assigned.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is headed by a High Commissioner with the rank of Under-Secretary-General.
Globally, OHCHR has identified country engagement as one of its major priorities and specifically Central Asia as an area for increased attention. OHCHR has a regional office for Central Asia in Bishkek, which aims to promote and protect human rights in the region. The work of the associate expert would focus on Kyrgyzstan under the supervision of the Regional Representative with support from OHCHR’s headquarters in Geneva. OHCHR has on-going projects in the country, such as expert support to the Government and State bodies, including the judiciary and prosecutors and outreach and support to civil society. OHCHR plans to continue actively participating in protection work and encourage coordination with other actors from the international community to promote human rights in Kyrgyzstan.
The duty station is in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The cost of living is low. The country is currently on UN security phase one.
The Regional Office reports to the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division within OHCHR Headquarters in Geneva.
The Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division is headed by a Director who is accountable to the High Commissioner.
The core functions of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division are as follows:
(a) Developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating advisory services and technical assistance projects at the request of Governments;
(b) Managing the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights;
(c) Providing substantive and administrative support to human rights fact-finding and investigatory mechanisms, such as special rapporteurs, representatives and experts of working groups mandated by the Commission on Human Rights and/or the Economic and Social Council to deal with specific country situations or phenomena of human rights violations worldwide;
(d) Planning, supporting and evaluating human rights field presences and missions, including the formulation and development of best practice, procedural methodology and models for all human rights activities in the field;
(e) Managing voluntary funds for human rights field presences.
Further background information maybe found at OHCHR website: http://www.ohchr.org.
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