Intern (Human Rights Monitoring)

The Office of the United Nations 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 OHCHR internship assignments situated within the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). In March 2014, at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine and in response to developments in the country, the UN Secretary-General deployed a human rights monitoring team. HRMMU monitors, reports and advocates on the human rights situation in Ukraine with a special focus on the east and Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine, temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation (hereafter Crimea), and on the issue of accountability. As the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine escalated, HRMMU has additionally engaged in protection, advocacy and capacity-building throughout the country, including in areas directly affected by the conflict. As a major change in 2020, and incorporating indivisibility approach among all human rights, HRMMU works on establishment of system for monitoring and reporting on impact of conflict-related economic policies on enjoyment Economic Social and Cultural Rights of the affected people in the East of Ukraine. This will help to address issues of economic inequalities in the context of the UN sustainable development cooperation framework. Such approach builds on the core SDG concept of equitable development for all, ‘leaving no one behind’ and the key message to ‘reach the furthest behind first, as well as addressing gender as a cross-cutting issue. HRMMU has offices in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Kyiv, Mariupol and Odesa with Human rights monitoring for Crimea carried out by teams based in Kyiv and Odesa. Based in Kyiv, Ukraine (or another family duty station), under the overall guidance of the Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, the intern reports to the respective OHCHR Human Rights Officer within the area of assignment. This internship assignment may be offered for an initial period of thee (3) months, renewable for a combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor, with a commencement date ranging/starting from August 2021 to December 2021. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. This internship is an UNPAID and full-time engagement that provides a framework through which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations by way of their service within Secretariat entities. Applicants should 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. IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUESTED TO UNDERTAKE THE INTERNSHIP REMOTELY IN VIEW OF CONSTRAINTS REGARDING VISA ISSUANCE, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND ACCESS TO UN PREMISES. APPLICANTS MUST BE WILLING AND PREPARED TO UNDERTAKE THE INTERNSHIP REMOTELY FOR A PART OR THE ENTIRETY OF THE INTERNSHIP. Applicants should indicate their present matriculation status and period of availability in the application cover letter.

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 United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine/OHCHR human rights intern will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to assisting in the human rights monitoring, documentation, analysis and reporting work in Ukraine and, in particular, the intern may: assist in research, collection, documentation and analysis of information pertaining to the human rights situation in the area of assignment; Contribute to the team's daily, weekly, monthly, thematic and special issues/ad hoc reports on the human rights situation; Help identify emerging and evolving trends of human rights concerns and violations, as well as response and capacity gaps, and participating in the development of a strategy to respond to the situation; Draft briefing, analytical documents and contribute to the production of documentation and other reports in consultation with the supervisor and relevant colleagues. In addition, in consultation with the supervisor, the intern may help ensure that the tasks are performed in compliance with relevant standards and methods of work, including for protection and safe handling of information; Participate in and /or contribute to lessons learned processes; and undertake other tasks as requested by the supervisor, as appropriate.

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. 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.

To qualify for the United Nations Secretariat internship programme, applicants must, at the time of submission, be a graduate or enrolled in a graduate school programme (i.e. Master’s degree or equivalent degree, or higher) or, be a graduate or enrolled in the final academic year of a first-level university degree programme (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree) preferably in the area of law, political science, international relations, social sciences or a related field, OR have graduated with a university degree as defined above and, if selected, must commence the internship on the date specified in the Acceptance letter. APPLICANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this internship fluency in English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian is an advantage. Knowledge of Russian is an asset.