Internship-human Rights, Nouakchott, Mauritania
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Job Description
Job Opening
Posting Title: Internship-Human Rights, I (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: INTERN - HUMAN RIGHTS
Department/Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Duty Station: NOUAKCHOTT
Posting Period: 01 March 2019 - 31 August 2019
Job Opening Number: 19-Human Rights Affairs-OHCHR-112833-J-Nouakchott (A)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the Secretariat department responsible for strengthening International Human Rights mechanisms; enhancing equality and countering discrimination; combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law; integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere; widening the democratic space; and early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.
This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments located in the OHCHR Mauritania country office. The Country Office focuses its activities on a broad number of human rights issues, including strengthening accountability and the rule of law; combatting inequalities and poverty; increasing engagement with international human rights mechanisms, in particular with women's rights; and monitoring the country's compliance with its international human rights obligations. Throughout its various activities, OHCHR Mauritania supports national stakeholders' efforts towards the establishment of an effective National Human Rights protection system, including through the provision of technical cooperation projects, capacity-building programs, a gender strategy and other relevant activities. For more information on OHCHR Mauritania and its work, visit: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/OHCHRMauritania.aspx Based in Nouakchott, Mauritania, under the general guidance and direction of the Head of Office, the intern reports to the respective Human Rights Officer in the area of assignment. This internship is being offered for an initial period of three (3) months, with possibility of extension up to a total period of six (6) months, with a commencement date ranging/ starting from 1 May to 31 October 2019. APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO INDICATE THEIR PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY IN THE COVER-LETTER OF THEIR APPLICATION.
Responsibilities
The intern shall support OHCHR in fulfilling its mission: to work for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented.
Daily responsibilities of the OHCHR Mauritania Human Rights interns will depend on the individual's background and specific duties may include but are not limited to: Assisting with the coordination of activities related to thematic and country mandates on human rights, including from a gender perspective; Conduct substantive research and Analysis of human rights issues/events and assesses their impact on the human rights situation in assigned region or country; Collects and analyzes human rights data and indicators in Mauritania, including gender-specific data and indicators; Provide support to sub-commissions, commissions and other bodies, including follow-up on implementation of decisions rendered by policy-making bodies; Helps promote human rights issues, including their gender equality dimensions considerations, are integrated into political, humanitarian and economic efforts and programme; Assists in the development and implementation of Training Programs in the field of human rights, international humanitarian law, democracy and the rule of law, with attention to gender perspectives, including follow-up on different cases and situations verified by the regional offices; Serve as note-taker at working level meetings, drafting a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, et cetera, including to policy-making bodies; and Perform other duties requested by supervisor, as appropriate.
Competencies
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 the 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 shortcomings. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients ' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat Internship Programme, applicants must, at the time of application, be enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree) in the area of law, political science, international relations, social sciences, gender studies or related field, OR have graduated with a university degree as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship within a one-year period from the date of graduation.
Work Experience
Applicants are not required to have professional work experience for participation in the internship programme though any relevant academic and/or practical experience in human rights issues related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions; institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures would be an advantage.
Applicants should be computer literate in standard Software Applications; have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations with a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter, and have the demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs - which includes willingness to understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship, fluency in French or English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
Assessment
The OHCHR hiring office will directly contact short-listed candidates for an informal interview after the review of their application. Incomplete Personal History Profiles (PHPs) will not be reviewed. For this reason, it is crucial that the cover letter:
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- Specifies the area of interest in the OHCHR Mauritania Country office and the earliest date of availability; - Notes the title and date of the recently obtained academic degree or the scheduled graduation date for study programme currently underway; and - Indicates information technology (IT) skills and programs in which you are proficient. IN YOUR PHP, BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL PAST EMPLOYMENT, IF APPLICABLE, PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE - ACADEMIC OR OTHERWISE - AND THREE REFERENCES. IN ADDITION, APPLICANTS SHOULD INDICATE THEIR SPECIALIZATION AND/ OR AREAS OF INTEREST - IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE - AS THIS WILL ENHANCE THE VALUE OF THE INTERNSHIP FOR BOTH THE INTERN AND THE ORGANIZATION. DUE TO HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, ONLY CANDIDATES WHO