Job Opening
Posting Title: INTERN – HUMAN RIGHTS, I (Temporary Job Opening)

Job Code Title: INTERN – HUMAN RIGHTS
Department/Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Duty Station: YAOUNDE
Posting Period: 27 April 2023 – 25 October 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Human Rights Affairs-OHCHR-207917-J- Yaounde (X)
Staffing Exercise N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

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Org. Setting and Reporting
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Central Africa Regional Office offers a human rights internship program which aims at providing students with the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to OHCHR’s activities related to the promotion and protection of human rights in the region. It is designed to complement political and legal-oriented studies with practical experience in various aspects.

The duration of an OHCHR internship is normally two months on a full-time basis – this may be exceptionally extended for a maximum period of six months.

Interns work five days per week (35 hours) under the supervision of a staff member in the department or office to which they are assigned.

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. The United Nations accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of the intern or costs arising from injury, illness or death that may occur during an internship. Therefore, upon awarding an internship, candidates will be required to sign a statement confirming their understanding and acceptance of the conditions of service. Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical insurance coverage to cover the full period of the internship at the duty station and provide a medical certificate of good health prior to the commencement of the internship.

Responsibilities
Interns will have the opportunity to broaden their human rights experience and knowledge and be directly exposed to the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Central Africa Regional Office and human rights related work in other UN agencies. Human rights interns get excellent exposure to the work of the entire office and will be able to participate in internal discussions about the Offices’ issues and strategies. They participate and contribute to staff meetings and discussions, research human rights issues, draft papers and reports, develop and maintain information databases and provide support to other OHCHR activities including meetings and training events.
The selected candidate will be able to work in coordination with various human rights officers covering various fields and areas of expertise (gender and women’s rights, socio-economic rights, rule of law, etc.) The ideal candidate would be able to work independently

to assist in monitoring developments (human rights, politics, and conflict) in the region, in specific:

– Follow-up on human rights issues and cases in line with provisions of the treaty body mechanisms and special procedures.
– Assist in preparing a monthly review to give an overview of the human rights situation in the assigned region for inclusion in the office’s monthly report.
– Assist in overseeing maintenance and further development of the office’s information and resource tools and, where necessary, directly update and produce the information and resource tools.
– Contribute to the preparation of internal and external reports on the work of the Central Africa Regional Office.
– Attend and take notes in meetings and conferences as requested by the supervising Human Rights Officer.
– Assist the supervising Human Rights Officer in organizing workshops and activities related to the work of the office.
– Familiarize herself/himself with human rights mechanisms, conventions and Human Rights Council procedures.
– Carry out political and legal analysis of certain topics related to the Central Africa Regional Office. (eg: statelessness, migrant domestic workers, etc.).

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.

Education
To qualify for an internship with the United Nations Internship Programme, the following conditions must be met:

1. Applicants must:
(a) be enrolled in a graduate school program (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
(b) be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent); or
(c) have graduated with a university degree (as defined above)

2. Applicants must:
(a) be computer literate in standard software applications.
(b) have a demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter; and
(c) have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.

Work Experience
No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advance course work or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.

Languages
​​English and French are the working languages ​​of the United Nations Secretariat; and English and French are the working language of OHCHR Central Africa Regional Office

For this position, Fluency in English or French is required; knowledge of the other is desirable.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment
Potential candidates will be contacted by the hiring manager directly for further consideration.

Special Notice
Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions.

A completed online application must include, beside the mandatory Personal History Profile, a Cover Note mentioning the following:

• Degree Program (what are you currently studying?).
• Graduation Date (when will you graduate or when did you graduate from the program?).
• List of the IT skills and programs that you are proficient in.
• List of your top three areas of interest.
• Explanation of why you are the best candidate for this specific internship.
• Explanation of your interest in the United Nations Internship Programme. In your online Personal History Profile, be sure to include all past work experiences, IT skills, and three references.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offense or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offenses may not be considered for employment. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offense or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offenses may not be considered for employment. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offense or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offenses may not be considered for employment. and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offenses may not be considered for employment. and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offenses may not be considered for employment.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow 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 inspired 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 pm (New York time) on the deadline date.

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at:

  https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=207917