Job Overview
General
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNAMI
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Mission and objectives
The Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq’s (UNAMI HRO) is an office within the integrated United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The Chief Human Rights Officer also represents the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Iraq. OHCHR/UNAMI HRO conducts activities in accordance with the mandate bestowed by the UN Security Council at the request of the Government of Iraq. By Resolution 2631 (2022) of 26 May, the UN Security Council,) mandated UNAMI to “promote accountability and the protection of human rights, and judicial and legal reform, with full respect for the sovereignty of Iraq, in order to strengthen the rule of law and improve governance in Iraq.” In accordance with this mandate OHCHR/UNAMI HRO.
monitors documents and reports on the human rights situation in Iraq and uses evidence-based advocacy to provide structured and focused support to the government’s efforts to promote accountability for human rights violations and to ensure that the rights of all citizens are promoted and protected. Since October 2019 the human rights situation in Iraq has significantly deteriorated as a result of the Government’s response to large scale anti-government protests. In addition to large numbers of deaths and injuries resulting from the excessive use of force against protesters by security forces and unidentified armed actors, UNAMI HRO has documented threats and intimidation, abduction and incommunicado detention, torture, disappearances and targeted killings of demonstrators. These violations are continuing, and little progress has been made either to protect those at risk or provide meaningful accountability.
Context
* Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including civil society organizations, grassroots community members,
religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels;
* Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
* Experience of working in a conflict or post conflict environment;
* 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;
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the overall supervision of the Chief, UNAMI Human Rights Office or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the International UN Volunteer Human Rights Officer will:
• Conduct proactive outreach and relationship-building through individual meetings and focus groups with demonstrators and activists of different ages and genders; members of organizing
committees; representatives of political and civil society organizations involved in the protests as well activists with no such affiliation; journalists, doctors and others actively involved in either participating in demonstrations or promoting the goals of the protesters particularly through social media;
• Conduct human rights monitoring interviews with victims of arbitrary and incommunicado detention, abduction, torture and enforced disappearance;
• Undertake monitoring visits to places of detention;
• Proactively monitor all forms of traditional and new media, including social media, in order to monitor threats and intimidation against those participating in or supporting protests;
• Through individual and group meetings with community leaders, victims’ representatives and civil society organizations develop and deepen existing information gathering networks within the
communities affected by disappearances;
• Support OHCHR/UNAMI engagement with relevant United Nations Treaty Body mechanisms and Special Procedures mandate holders, including facilitating the submission of Urgent Appeals and Urgent Actions on behalf of victims of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture;
• Engage with government and non-governmental organizations to support the submission of state reports and stakeholder reports to UN human rights mechanisms and treaty bodies dealing with torture and enforced disappearance
• Draft, review as appropriate, and ensure timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefings, analysis and other types of communications in compliance with established standards;
• Ensure the timely entry of accurate and verified human rights cases into an established database in compliance with established standards;
• Performs other duties as required.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
