United Nations-Panamá, Provincia de PanamáTemporal, Beca / prácticasThe Office of the United Nations (UN) 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; Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity.
This announcement broadcasts international internship assignments with the OHCHR Regional Office for Central America (ROCA). The Regional Office focuses its activities on a broad number of human rights issues, including strengthening accountability and the rule of law; combatting inequality and poverty; increasing engagement with international human rights mechanisms; and monitoring the country’s compliance with its international human rights obligations. Throughout its various activities, OHCHR ROCA supports national stakeholders’ efforts towards the establishment of an effective national human rights protection system, including through the provision of technical cooperation projects, capacity-building programs and other relevant activities. For more information on the Regional Office's work, visit: http://www.oacnudh.org/
Based in Panama City, Panama, under the overall leadership and direction of the Regional Representative, the intern reports to the Human Rights officer in the area of assignment. This assignment may be offered for an initial period of three (3) 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 August to December 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 Regional Office for Central America Human Rights intern will depend on the individual's background and duties may include but are not limited to compiling basic information on human rights, analyzes key issues, collecting information and documents on specific human rights topics, and in particular, the intern may: Review information and documents related to the work of the Regional Office (i.e. specific mandates, strategic policies, framework of programmes/ activities of the organization); Assist the Desk Officers (DOs) and OHCHR ROCA staff in maintaining contacts with concerned United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) and relevant human rights offices, non-government organizations (NGOs) and national human rights institutions (NHRIs); Assist staff members in the coordination of the programme of missions of special rapporteurs/representatives/experts or working groups and others, to countries in the region/geographical area concerned and liaise in this regard with the thematic mechanisms teams, other branches and the office of the High Commissioner; Assist with activities pertaining to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and follow-up, as necessary; Lend support with OHCHR activities related to information collection and compilation of basic background for the preparation of technical papers and speeches; Support with selected field of work and program/project activities related to their priority areas of studies and internship; Assist in organizing meetings, seminars and official missions; Contribute to mainstream gender perspective in programs, projects and activities; and Perform other related duties requested by the 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.
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 is required. Fluency in Spanish is an advantage.
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 Regional Office for Central America 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.
