Job Summary
Description of assignment title: Human Rights Officer – Reporting Officer
Organization: MINUSCA
Assignment Country: Central African Republic
City: Bangui
Office: MINUSCA HQ Bangui
Closing date: Wednesday, 12 June 2024
Expected start date: 07/01/2024
Sustainable Development Goal: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with the possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 2
Duty stations: Bangui (2)
Mission and objectives
Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA). MINUSCA current uniformed personnel levels stand at 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and are tasked with the strategic objective of creating the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to sustainably reducing the presence of — and threat posed by — armed groups. See http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/.
Context
Assignment is renewable on an annual basis (1 July – 30 June) up to a maximum of 4 years. Contract renewals are granted based on Mission mandate, availability of budget, operational necessity and satisfactory performance.
Duty station can change in the course of an assignment based on operational necessity; UN Volunteers may be required to work anywhere in the area of operations of the host organization, including in remote locations.
Results/Expected Outputs:
- Monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in the duty assigned according to the United Nations methodology accomplished.
- Producing daily, weekly and monthly regular reports to HQ done on time.
- Participating in activities aiming at strengthening the capacity of the local authorities in CAR met.
- Capacity building documented.
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment,
- such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Task description
- Under the direct supervision of the Chief Human Rights Officer and his designated official in the Sector and/or Officer in Charge Human Rights Office and within delegated authority, the UN Volunteer Human Rights Reporting Officer will be responsible for the following duties: A) Reporting duties: – Collect and analyze information and data on the situation of human rights/international humanitarian law in the Central African Republic from field offices and units, taking into account the gender aspect;
- Draft and disseminate periodic reports (weekly, monthly & quarterly);
- Draft monthly code cables, Secretary -General reports;
- Draft weekly contributions for MINUSCA press conference and OHCHR Weekly Update;
- Draft press releases and other statements on human rights ;
- Draft thematic and ad hoc reports as required; B) General human rights duties: – Research and collect information pertaining to human rights matters, including their gender dimensions, from a variety of data sources; assists in the analysis of information, to include the impact on the human rights situation in CAR.
- Enter all cases on the human rights database according to human rights standards and its methodology.
- Maintain awareness of current human rights issues in the Region assigned to include relevant political and legal developments. – Contribute to the identification of human rights issues/problems, including their gender dimensions, through good research and analysis and timely preparation of reports, etc.
- Liaise with government representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to create baseline data on the human rights situation in the Region assigned with special attention to vulnerable groups.
- Participate with other Human Rights Officers in discussions with relevant authorities and other influential actors with the aim of stopping or preventing human rights violations or seeks other remedial action by the authorities to prevent similar violations occurring in the future.
- Draft a variety of types of reports relating to human rights matters.
- Participate in human rights training programmes for national law enforcement officials, representatives of the civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to promote national capacity building.
- Review human rights issues, including their gender dimensions, and participates in discussions with other Human Rights Officers on the integration of these issues into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programmes.
- Contribute to formulating courses of action that aim to alleviate immediate and long-range human rights problems.
- Demonstrate effective interaction with colleagues and other concerned parties internally and externally.
- When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training.
- Perform other related duties as required by direct supervisor.
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 human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or a related area.
- Experience in human rights monitoring and reporting is required.
- Experience in working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is an advantage.
- Experience working on thematic issues relevant to the MINUSCA mandate and/or work experience in Central Africa is desirable.
Area(s) of expertise
Legal affairs, Community development, Communication
Driving license
4×4 vehicle, manual gear ,vehicle over rough terrain is desired. Required
Languages
French, Level: Working knowledge, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in law, political science, international relations, social sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience can be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Competencies and values
Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within area of operations as may be necessary;
Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.
The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way.
This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available, but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market.
There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to 2,000+ USD with all commodities.
A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well.
Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.
A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency.
The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous 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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