Associate Human Rights Officer

Open recruitment (advertised)
Advertisement end date:28/06/2023

General
Description of assignment title
Associate Human Rights Officer

Assignment country
Cameroon

Expected start date
14/07/2023

Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities
No

Host entity
OHCHR

Type
Onsite

Duration
6 months

Number of assignments
1

Duty stations
Yaounde

Details
Mission and objectives

Created by General Assembly resolution 53/78 of 5 December 1998 and 54/55 of 1 December 1999, the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa is the Regional Office for Central Africa (CARO) of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Centre covers 10 countries of the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) zone including Rwanda.

The Centre works in collaboration with Governments, National Human Rights Institutions, Election Management bodies, United Nations Country Teams, Civil Society Organisations, and the media throughout the sub region to promote the state of human rights and democratic practice. CARO focuses on building the human rights promotion and protection capacities of all national actors to effectively to uphold the international standards and democratic practices at national level.

The Centre is headed by a Director who doubles as Regional Representative of the High Commissioner for Central Africa. Following the 2022 organigramme, the office operates with seven units namely Capacity Building, Human Rights Mechanisms, Non-discrimination, Monitoring and Reporting, Emergency Response, Communication and Advocacy and Administration and Finance. The UN Volunteer will work primarily with the Administration and Finance Unit with close interaction with other our Human Rights Advisor in Rwanda.

Context

The Centre is headed by a Director who doubles as Regional Representative of the High Commissioner for Central Africa.
Following the 2020 organigram, the office operates with eight Units namely Capacity Building, Democracy, Human Rights Mechanisms, Equality and Non-discrimination, Monitoring and Reporting, Emergency Response, Communication and Advocacy and Administration and Finance. The UN Volunteer will work primarily with the Equality and Non-discrimination Unit with close interactions with other Units, including Democracy, Emergency Response, Monitoring and Reporting.

Task description
Under the overall supervision of the Representative of OHCHR Regional Office and the direct day-to-day supervision of the Head of Equality and Non-Discrimination, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Support in the development and implementation of capacity building and training programs in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy, and the rule of law, especially as regard to the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups, with attention to gender perspectives for countries' security bodies, judiciary, national institutions and civil society organizations;

Support the implementation and reporting of the project inclusion of persons with disabilities in Cameroon funded by the UN Partnership for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD), including regular liaison with project partners (UNESCO, UNFPA, RCO, Ministry of Social Affairs, organizations of persons with disabilities);

Support the launch of a preparatory university training for indigenous fellows from francophone Africa in Yaoundé in collaboration with the Headquarters;

Contribute to the research and collection of information pertaining to the human rights situation within the sub region, particularly as pertains to the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups, including their gender dimensions from a variety of sources (e.g. communications, publications, the press…) to keep abreast of issues/events and provide up to-date information; assist in the analysis of information, to include the impact on the countries and thematic mandates on the human rights situation in assigned area;


Support the drafting of documents, reports, briefings, background notes and correspondence relating to human rights matters for various targets including Governments, donors and partner organizations;

Participate in meetings of interagency groups on human rights and consultations; prepare summaries of outcome and propose follow-up actions;

Support the Regional Representative in the management of the UN Taskforce for disability inclusion in Cameroon (drafting meeting agendas and minutes, convening meetings, conducting follow-up for activities in the annual work plan) in close collaboration with the Resident Coordinator’s Office and UN WOMEN;

Serve as gender focal point;

Represent CARO in UNCT’s interagency groups on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in Cameroon, including in Results Group 2.1;

Support the management of the UNCT Human Rights Working Group (drafting meeting agendas and minutes, convening meetings, etc.) and liaise with the Resident Coordinator’s Office to ensure outcomes’ dissemination to UNCT and recording in UNCT archives;

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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 self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities;
• 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.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in • 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
• Experience entering, managing and analyzing large quantities of data/case information, including in databases, is desirable
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills (both in English and in French);
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• 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;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness.

Area(s) of expertise
Legal affairs, Social work

Driving license
-

Languages
French, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in law, political science, social science or related field is required

Competencies and values
Professionalism;
Integrity;
Teamwork and respect for diversity;
Commitment to continuous learning;
Planning and organizing;
Communication;
Flexibility.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Yaoundé is the political capital of Cameroon and the second most populated city in the country after Douala. The official languages of Cameroon are English and French. Yaoundé features a tropical wet and dry climate with constant temperatures throughout the year and high temperatures ranging from 27 to 29 degrees C. Yaoundé also features a lengthy wet season covering a ten-month span between February and November. However, there is a noticeable decrease in precipitation within the wet season, seen during the months of July and August. The OHCHR Regional Office for Central Africa in Yaoundé is in Bastos district, where most embassies and international organizations have their offices. Several services (banks, international schools, etc.), restaurants and supermarkets are in Bastos. Transportation in Yaoundé can be done by taxi, although it is recommended to call private taxis rather than street taxis for security reasons. The security situation in the city of Yaoundé is partially satisfactory. Petty crime is the main threat. Electricity cuts and water shortages are frequent.

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

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at :  https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1727219659182336