INTRODUCTION: 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.

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING & REPORTING: This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments situated within the OHCHR Colombia Country Office. The Country Office implements a comprehensive strategy that includes: Monitoring of the human rights situation with a view to advising the authorities on the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and measures to promote and protect human rights, also in the context of violence and armed conflict, monitoring and reporting to annual reports on the human rights situation in Colombia to the Human Rights Council; Cooperation and technical assistance and advice to the Government to promote respect and observance of human rights and international humanitarian law in Colombia; Provision of technical assistance and advice to civil society and non-governmental human rights organizations and individuals, and Promotion of human rights to the general public and dissemination of information on international human rights and humanitarian law standards.

Based in Multiple Duty Stations (i.e. Bogot , Cali, Barranquilla, Medell n, Neiva, Pasto or other newly established family duty station, under the general guidance and direction of the Head of Office, the intern reports to the Sub Director of Operations or respective Human Rights Officer in the area of assignment.

This assignment may be offered for an initial period of two (2) months, with the possibility of extension up to a total combined period of six (6) months, upon further approval by the supervisor, and an initial commencement date ranging/starting from April to November 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 Colombia Human Rights interns will depend on the individual’s background and duties may include but are not limited to assisting in monitoring developments, i.e. human rights, gender, socio-economic affairs, politics and conflict in Colombia; Assists in drafting reports, background notes, talking points, summaries and other documents for OHCHR Colombia and headquarters; Assists with documenting and the preparation of submissions of cases of human rights violations in Colombia to Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division and/ or Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division bodies; Prepares presentations and materials on human rights law and issues; Carries out research on international and national law, case law and summarize findings; Attends and summarizes workshops and meetings; Assists with organizing and managing conferences, training sessions and other events; Assists in review, preparation and distributing news, including notes on human rights issues; Assists in supporting integration of women’s rights and gender in human rights activities; Assists in preparing, drafting and reviewing public information materials; Assists in implementing OHCHR Colombia public information and media activities, including translating documents and ensuring gender-sensitive language; and perform other duties requested by supervisor, as appropriate.

COMPETENCIES | 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

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 or a related field, OR have graduated with a university degree as defined above AND, if selected, must commence the internship within 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 and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality and socio-economic dimensions; knowledge of institutional mandates of human rights organizations, prevailing policies and procedures; or in the area of legal affairs, human rights or a related area, 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 interact successfully 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 English or Spanish is required, knowledge of the other is an asset. Knowledge of another United Nations official language would be an advantage (i.e. French, Arabic, Chinese or Russian).

ASSESSMENT: The respective 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:

Specifies the area of interest in the OHCHR Colombia 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 HAVE BEEN SHORT-LISTED WILL BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION. ONLY CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BEEN SHORT-LISTED WILL BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.

SPECIAL NOTICE: In line with the United Nations Internship programme, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights internship provides a framework by which students from diverse academic backgrounds gain exposure to the work of the United Nations through assignment to Secretariat entities. The Programme endeavours to attract qualified students, offering them an opportunity to enrichen their educational experience through exposure to the work of the Organization. Equally, it provides the Office with the assistance of students specialized in various professional fields. Applicants are encouraged to apply for internships which relate directly to their studies, expertise and/or skills.

A person who is the child or sibling of a staff member shall not be eligible to apply for an internship at the United Nations Secretariat. An applicant who bears to a staff member any other family relationship may be engaged as an intern, provided that he or she shall not be assigned to the same work unit of the staff member nor placed under the direct or indirect supervision of the staff member. For purposes of this advertisement, “child” means (i) the child of a staff member; (ii) the child of the spouse of a staff member (e.g. stepchild); and (iii) the spouse of a child of a staff member or a staff member’s spouse (e.g. son- or daughter-in-law). “Sibling” includes the child of both or either parent of a staff member and the child.

The internship is an unpaid (full-time) opportunity and the intern must adhere to the established weekly working hours of the duty station where the assignment is located, including one hour for lunch. For more information on the United Nations Secretariat Internship programme, please visit: https://www.unog.ch

The terms and conditions of the United Nations Secretariat Internship programme may be downloaded in both of the Organization’s official working languages at: http://undocs.org/ST/AI/2014/1

Qualified individuals may apply directly to this and other opportunities with the United Nations Secretariat at: https://careers.un.org

UNITED NATIONS CONSIDERATIONS: According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, Inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the Inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

NO FEE: THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

How to apply:

You may download the terms and conditions of the United Nations Secretariat Internship programme, which is available in both of the Organization’s official working languages, at: http://undocs.org/ST/AI/2014/1

Qualified individuals, who are interested in the internship, must create an on-line account in Inspira and apply to a specific job opening for further consideration by the respective hiring office: https://inspira.un.org

Prospective candidates, who have already established an account, may apply immediately and can see the full listing of OHCHR job openings on the United Nations Careers website at https://careers.un.org/