HUMAN RIGHTS ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Human Rights Assistants will be based in the UNAMA Human Rights Service in Herat, an “E” hardship and non-family duty station, and supervised by the Human Rights Officer/Team Leader.

Responsibilities

Assists in the planning of monitoring, fact-finding, awareness-raising, capacity building, and advocacy – including by suggesting most appropriate interlocutors – contributing to initial assessments, taking part in human rights promotional activities, assisting in the development of monitoring questionnaires and assessment surveys, amongst others. Assists, when required, in monitoring activities – including visits to detention facilities, prisons, hospitals, etc., as required – and thus ready to deploy as required. Receives and documents complaints on alleged human rights violations. Assists with the collection and analysis of data based on human rights monitoring, as well as the preparation of data presentations and reports, for information-sharing, responding to queries, knowledge-management, planning and decision-making. Assists in ensuring quality assurance of human rights cases in established databases, and contributes to team information-sharing systems. Assists in drafting incident, weekly and monthly reports, and contributes to the preparation of briefings and other communication materials as required. Assists with the visualisation and updating of information material, such as brochures and web pages. Attends a variety of meetings, including with local authorities, civil society, and human rights actors/defenders. Assists in the logistical organization of all types of human rights activities. Assists in the mapping of information for human-rights activities including, inter alia, mapping of local authorities, civil society organizations and their representatives, local human rights actors including defenders, as well as sources of human rights information, all of which shall serve for collecting and verifying human rights information, monitoring protection risks, and creating referral services for victims and witnesses of human rights violations. Makes suggestions for referral of cases to specialized services. Supports the development of contacts and networks with local authorities and civil society actors including NGOs. Monitors local and national media, including social media, and draws the attention of the Team Leader to information that may be relevant to the work of the human rights component. Supports the development and implementation of human rights awareness-raising and capacity building initiatives. Keeps abreast of UN-developed policies, including those related to human rights work. Provides language services, as required. Performs other related duties, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Sensitivity to the political, social and cultural environment and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions. Awareness of population diversity and of its needs, including of those in vulnerable situations. Some knowledge of domestic legal system. Good understanding of functioning of national institutions. Some knowledge of fundamental human rights principles. Ability to gather, verify, and evaluate information from a variety of sources. Ability to identify new and better approaches to work processes and to incorporate them in daily work. Committed to gender equality. 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 situation. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Planning and Organising: 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required. The first level university degree or higher in Human Rights, Gender, Law, Sharia Law, International Relations, Political Science, Behavioural Science, Anthropology, Journalism, Sociology, Religious Studies. Literature or relevant field is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

As per approved special measure for UNAMA, a minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, gender, social work, and as legal/paralegal or a field closely related to human rights, is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 3 years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in raising awareness, and building capacity, for the promotion and protection of human rights, is required. Experience in human rights monitoring, database case management and data analytics is desirable. Experience in developing, implementing and managing projects for communities at risk, or vulnerable populations, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English, Dari and Pashto is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2024, with possibility of extension. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.