This position is located within the Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) within the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). The Human Rights Assistant will be based in Bukavu and will report to the Coordinator of the UNJHRO Bukavu Field Office
Within delegated authority, the Human Rights Assistant will perform the following duties: 1. Assists the supervisor in the planning of monitoring, investigation and capacity building, including by suggesting most appropriate interlocutors, contributing to initial assessments, taking part of human rights promotional activities, assisting in the development of monitoring questionnaires and assessment surveys, amongst others; 2. Assist when required in monitoring activities, including visits to detention facilities, courts, hospitals as required, as thus, is ready to deploy as required; 3. Receives and documents complaints on alleged human rights violations; 4. Assists in filing the human rights information, including case-related in a relevant, safe and accurate manner, and contributes to team information-sharing systems, and handling of case files; 5. Assists in drafting incident and daily reports and contributes to preparation of briefings and other communication materials 6. Attends a variety of meetings, including with civil society, local authorities and human rights actors; 7. Assists in the logistical organization of all type of human rights activities; 8. Assists in the mapping of information for, human-rights activities including, inter alia, mapping of local authorities, civil society representatives and institutions, local human rights actors, including defenders as well as sources of human rights information, that shall serve for collecting and verifying human rights information, monitoring protection risks, creating referral services for victims and witnesses of human rights violations, etc.; 9. Supports the development of contacts and networks with civil society actors including NGOs; 10. Monitors local and national media, including social media, and draws attention of team leaders-to information that may be relevant to the work of the human rights component; 11. Provides language services as required 12. Makes suggestions for referral of cases to specialized services; 13. Keeps abreast of UN developed policies, including those related to human rights work and takes part in human rights trainings; 14. Performs other related duties as required.
Professionalism : 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. 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’s shortcomings.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Training in human rights/social work related is desirable.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law or related field is required. Experience is in human rights monitoring & reporting is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post, advertised, fluency in French(both oral and written) is required; Fluency in Swahili is desirable, Fluency in Lingala is desirable; knowledge of English is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
This job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the HUMAN RIGHTS ASSISTANT, GL-5 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
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.
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.
