Online Volunteer for Human Rights Monitoring

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights globally. Established to ensure that all individuals can realize their rights, OHCHR prioritizes addressing urgent human rights violations and focuses on vulnerable populations. The organization collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international bodies, to enhance the capacity for human rights protection in accordance with international standards. OHCHR's mission is to strengthen the United Nations human rights program and provide high-quality support to its initiatives, ensuring that human rights are integral to the UN's work.

Job Overview:
The position of Online Volunteer for Human Rights Monitoring involves supporting the Gaza sub-office of OHCHR in various human rights-related tasks. The volunteer will engage in verification work, particularly in contexts where traditional information sources may be scarce or unavailable. This role is crucial for assisting with open-source monitoring and analysis of human rights information, as well as general situation monitoring. The volunteer will be expected to conduct extensive research and provide weekly and daily summaries that inform OHCHR's monitoring methodology and contribute to the overall understanding of the human rights situation in the area of assignment. This position is vital for ensuring that accurate and timely information is available to support OHCHR's mandate and reporting obligations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteer will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Conducting weekly summaries based on comprehensive research from social media, media sources, and other relevant reports, ensuring adherence to OHCHR's monitoring methodology.
• Preparing daily summaries for situation reports that detail the human rights conditions in the assigned area.
• Actively participating in the OHCHR OPT monitoring team, contributing to discussions and collaborative efforts to enhance the effectiveness of monitoring activities.
• Engaging in open-source monitoring and analysis to gather information on human rights issues, particularly in contexts where traditional data sources are limited.
• Supporting the overall mission of OHCHR by providing timely and accurate information that aids in the reporting and advocacy efforts of the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Online Volunteer position should possess strong analytical skills and the ability to conduct thorough research. Familiarity with human rights issues, particularly in the context of the Palestinian territories, is essential. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a commitment to human rights principles and possess the ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with team members. Proficiency in using various online platforms and tools for research and information gathering is required. Additionally, candidates should have excellent written communication skills to produce clear and concise reports.

Educational Background:
A background in human rights, international relations, social sciences, or a related field is preferred for this position. Candidates should have a solid understanding of human rights frameworks and the ability to apply this knowledge in practical monitoring and reporting contexts. Relevant coursework or training in research methodologies and data analysis will be advantageous.

Experience:
While specific prior experience in human rights monitoring is not mandatory, any relevant volunteer or internship experience in similar fields will be beneficial. Candidates should demonstrate a capacity for critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information from diverse sources. Experience working in challenging environments or with vulnerable populations will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as all reporting and communication will be conducted in English. Proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable, given the context of the work in the Palestinian territories. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an advantage, particularly if they are relevant to the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a volunteer opportunity, and as such, it may not provide financial compensation. The role is expected to be part-time, allowing flexibility for the volunteer to manage their time effectively. The duration of the contract is not specified, but volunteers are encouraged to commit for as long as they can to ensure continuity in monitoring efforts. The position is open to individuals regardless of their nationality, promoting an inclusive approach to recruitment.