Human Rights Assistant
Organizational Context
The Human Rights Assistant positions are within the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Based in Field Offices in Herat and Bamyan, these roles report to the Human Rights Officer / Team Leader, with guidance from the Senior Human Rights Officer, contributing to the mission's human rights mandate.
Job Purpose
The Human Rights Assistant supports the planning and execution of UNAMA's human rights activities, including monitoring, fact-finding, awareness-raising, capacity building, and advocacy. This involves assisting in initial assessments, conducting monitoring visits, documenting complaints, and collecting and analyzing data on human rights violations. The role contributes to information sharing, reporting, and the development of communication materials. Assistants also support logistical organization, mapping of local actors, and fostering networks with authorities and civil society. They play a key role in implementing human rights initiatives and providing translation services as needed, ensuring the mission's objectives are met effectively.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include assisting in the planning and execution of monitoring, fact-finding, awareness-raising, capacity building, and advocacy activities. This involves contributing to initial assessments, participating in promotional activities, and developing monitoring tools. The role requires conducting monitoring activities, including visits to detention facilities, and documenting complaints of human rights violations. Assistants will collect, analyze, and present data on human rights monitoring, ensuring data quality in databases and contributing to information-sharing systems. They will draft reports, prepare briefings, and update information materials. Additionally, responsibilities include attending meetings, assisting with the logistical organization of human rights activities, mapping local actors and civil society, and supporting the development of contacts and networks. Monitoring media, supporting awareness-raising initiatives, and providing translation services are also key duties.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, gender, social work, or a closely related field is required. This is reduced to 3 years for candidates with a university degree. Experience in human rights awareness-raising, capacity building, monitoring, and database management is required. Experience in project development and management for vulnerable populations is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, sensitivity to socio-cultural environments, data gathering and analysis, planning and organizing, teamwork, commitment to gender equality, communication, and problem-solving skills.