Volunteer Human Rights Monitor

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights, established to promote and protect the full range of human rights and freedoms as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The organization is committed to ensuring that human rights are upheld globally, and it operates in various countries to monitor and report on human rights situations, providing support and guidance to nations in need of assistance in this area.

Job Overview:
The position of Volunteer Human Rights Monitor involves the critical task of monitoring information from open sources regarding the human rights situation in El Salvador. This role is essential for the collection, verification, analysis, and active use of information to fulfill the mandate of promoting and protecting human rights. The volunteer will be responsible for gathering updated information on human rights issues related to citizen security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security and civic space, which will contribute to preventing conflicts and generating early warnings. The role requires the volunteer to engage with various digital media, including newspapers, magazines, social media accounts of institutions and civil society organizations, and reports from human rights bodies. The information collected will be used to create bi-weekly reports highlighting prevalent issues and identifying potentially impacted groups or individuals, thereby directly influencing the internal strategy for fulfilling the Office's mandate.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Volunteer Human Rights Monitor will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Identifying and monitoring relevant information from digital media sources, such as news articles, social media posts, and reports from human rights organizations.
• Feeding daily updates into an information matrix (Excel tool provided by OACNUDH) to ensure accurate and timely data collection.
• Generating bi-weekly reports that summarize the most prevalent themes, highlighting groups or individuals who may be affected by the issues monitored.
• Engaging in constant communication with the Human Rights Officer supervising the assignment, ensuring that any questions or concerns are addressed promptly.
• Monitoring various aspects of citizen security and justice, including transitional justice, public security policies, and the implementation of legal reforms.
• Keeping track of civic space and democratic rights, including freedom of the press and expression, and the right to peaceful protest.
• Documenting incidents of arbitrary detention, torture, and other human rights violations, as well as monitoring the access to justice and public information.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Volunteer Human Rights Monitor position should possess a strong understanding of human rights issues, particularly in the context of El Salvador. They should demonstrate analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to synthesize information from various sources. Familiarity with Excel and data management tools is essential, as the role involves maintaining an information matrix. Additionally, candidates should have strong communication skills to effectively report findings and collaborate with the supervising Human Rights Officer. A commitment to human rights principles and the ability to work independently and responsibly are also crucial for this role.

Educational Background:
A background in social sciences, international relations, law, or a related field is preferred for the Volunteer Human Rights Monitor position. Candidates should ideally have completed or be pursuing a degree in these areas, as this will provide the necessary theoretical foundation for understanding human rights issues and the legal frameworks surrounding them.

Experience:
While prior experience in human rights monitoring or related fields is advantageous, it is not strictly required. Candidates should demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt to the responsibilities of the role. Experience in research, data analysis, or advocacy work will be considered beneficial and may enhance a candidate's application.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, as the role involves monitoring and reporting on local issues in El Salvador. Proficiency in English is also desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and the broader UN community. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This is a volunteer position, and while it offers valuable experience in the field of human rights, it may not provide financial compensation. The role is expected to be full-time, with a commitment to regular reporting and communication with the supervising officer. The duration of the assignment is not specified, but volunteers should be prepared for a potentially extended engagement depending on the needs of the Office.