Reporting Officer

Mission and objectives

The mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is 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. In carrying out its mission OHCHR will: Give priority to addressing the most pressing human rights violations, both acute and chronic, particularly those that put life in imminent peril; Focus attention on those who are at risk and vulnerable on multiple fronts; Pay equal attention to the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights, including the right to development; and Measure the impact of its work through the substantive benefit that is accrued, through it, to individuals around the world. Operationally, OHCHR works with governments, legislatures, courts, national institutions, civil society, regional and international organizations, and the United Nations system to develop and strengthen capacity, particularly at the national level, for the protection of human rights in accordance with international norms. Institutionally, OHCHR is committed to strengthening the United Nations human rights programme and to providing it with the highest quality support. OHCHR is committed to working closely with its United Nations partners to ensure that human rights form the bedrock of the work of the United Nations.

Context

The position is located within the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), within the Reporting Unit.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Unit team leader and the overall supervision of the Head of the Human Rights Service Representative of OHCHR in Haiti, the UNV Human Rights Officer will:

• Draft human rights notes and reports, including weekly and quarterly reports, Secretary General (SG) Reports, thematic reports, briefing notes for various stakeholders, and other analytical documents as required.
• Review information collected by the monitoring and investigation team; identify gaps and orient the investigation accordingly.
• Conduct analysis of compliance of national legal framework and/or public policies with international human rights standards.
• Ensure that information collected is properly documented, in accordance with standard OHCHR methodology, in coordination with the Monitoring and Investigation Team Leader and the head of the Reporting Unit.
• In coordination with the Monitoring and Investigation Team Leader, and the head of the Reporting Unit, provide support to the former by gather information, including through contacts with other United Nations actors, state authorities and civil society.
• Ensure that all data and information integrate a gender perspective.
• Use and maintain the Human Rights Service database to enter cases and document allegations and human rights violations.
• Develop and implement training sessions on reporting technique aimed at local partners.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Ethics and Values, Planning and Organizing, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams, Professionalism.

Living conditions and remarks

Haiti, especially the capital Port-au-Prince, is a bustling and crowded country with high levels of poverty and unemployment throughout. While much of the infrastructure is somewhat lacking, and much of it is in the process of development, Haiti nonetheless has many areas of stunning natural beauty; it has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that is an enticing draw for foreign staff and expats alike. Haiti is affected by problems in terms of safety and security, and many governments advise avoiding certain areas of the capital of Port-au-Prince. Due to the instability of the political system in Haiti, there are frequent protests, some of which run the risk of turning violent and are therefore best avoided. While the end of 2019 was marked by nearly four months of “peyi lok” – widespread civil unrest, insecurity and political turmoil translating in recurrent teleworking arrangements – the beginning of 2020 started by a deadlocked political dialogue and then the onset of the COVID-10 pandemic in mid-March. UNDP in Haiti has become adept with regard to risk management. This has taken the form of proactively planning in advance in order to anticipate and prevent a negative impact of the volatile country context on programme and staff. For example, UNDP Country Office took the initiative to facilitate voluntary evacuation for high-risk UNDP and UNV personnel at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strengthening security capacity within UNDP Country Office and an adaptive and proactive approach to the security environment has enabled UNDP to remain operational while ensuring the maximum safety for personnel.