OHCHRDec 3, 2025

Human Rights and Monitoring Specialist

Under the supervision of the OHCHR Regional Representative for Central Asia, the National UN Youth Volunteer/Human Rights and Monitoring Specialist (hereinafter: NUNV) will be responsible: - Monitoring and reporting on ...

On-site
National
National Youth Volunteer
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
On-site

Kyrgyzstan

Osh

Duration

90 days

Positions

1 Available

Deadline

Dec 17, 2025

0 days ago

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Sustainable Development Goal

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

General Information

Description of assignment title

Human Rights and Monitoring Specialist

Assignment country

Kyrgyzstan

Expected start date

Jan 1, 2026

Sustainable Development Goal

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category

National UN Youth Volunteer

Host entity

OHCHR

Type

onsite

Duration

90 days

Number of assignments

1

Duty stations

Osh

Assignment Details

Mission and Objectives

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the lead UN entity on human rights. In 1993, the General Assembly entrusted both the High Commissioner for Human Rights and OHCHR with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people. Over the course of subsequent decades, with investment by Member States, OHCHR has developed unique competencies for the protection and advance of human rights; competencies that bridge the humanitarian, peace and development sectors. OHCHR provides technical expertise and capacity-development, to support the implementa-tion of international human rights standards on the ground. It assists governments, which bear primary responsibility for the protection of human rights, to fulfil their obligations, supports individuals to claim their rights and speaks out objectively on human rights viola-tions. OHCHR has built global credibility in being a principled advocate for international human rights standards. It represents the leading, authoritative voice on legally binding norms en-shrined in international human rights treaties including in situations of conflict and insecuri-ty. OHCHR is uniquely placed in working closely with Governments, the civil society, the UN family and other stakeholders to advance the human rights agenda. Our strength lies in our unique capability to monitor, critically analyse and report on human rights abuses/violations.

Context

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has established its Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) in Bishkek in 2008. ROCA works to assist governments, national human rights institutions, civil society and the international community in the region to promote and protect human rights.

Task Description

Under the supervision of the OHCHR Regional Representative for Central Asia, the National UN Youth Volunteer/Human Rights and Monitoring Specialist (hereinafter: NUNV) will be responsible: - Monitoring and reporting on relevant human rights issues, including their impact on the human rights situation in the region, in person and through media monitoring (including social media). - Human rights monitoring, in person and/or by remote, including of emblematic human rights cases, in close coordination with national human rights institution, civil society partners, lawyers, other stakeholders. - Dealing with incoming communications from individuals to the OHCHR Office, including but not limited to by maintaining a database, drafting initial replies, meeting with applicants as delegated, and providing initial assessments and elements of legal analysis. - Assisting in planning, designing and implementing capacity-building and other activities in the region; - Perform other duties as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: - Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); - Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; - Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. - Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; - Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; - Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs: - As an active OHCHR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to OHCHR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: - Research and analysis on human rights issues, including through regular reporting, as well as legal analysis upon request. - Well organized and maintained human rights database, and coherent, efficient, and traceable filing of incoming complaints and recommendations for action. - Planned, designed and implemented capacity building activities. - A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed. - Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment - A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Eligibility Criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Assignment Requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Language Requirements
RussianRequired
Fluent
EnglishRequired
Working knowledge
KirghizPreferred
Basic
UzbekPreferred
Basic
Required education level

Bachelor's degree

Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to OHCHR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to OHCHR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and OHCHR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards OHCHR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Skills and experience
- A minimum of three years of work experience in human rights, political affairs, law or related areas is preferable. - Knowledge of human rights and rule of law issues in Kyrgyzstan. - Experience in running case management systems/data bases (e.g. Excel). - Experience in monitoring and documenting human rights issues, including ability to draft coherent, high-quality written products. - Maturity, excellent inter-personal, and negotiation skills. - Ability to work under pressure, delivering on tight deadlines and to handle multiple tasks. Desirable: - Project management experience, including in international organizations, such as the UN, or other regional or international intergovernmental/non-governmental organizations Knowledge of national legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic, in particular in the area of criminal justice. - Knowledge of the UN human rights system, including UN Human Rights Mechanisms. - Excellent computer skills.
Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Elections and governance, Legal affairs

Driving license

-

Additional Information

Living conditions and remarks
Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Osh, is administrative centre of the southwestern Kyrgyzstan and capital of the Osh province, near the border with Uzbekistan. Osh is located in heart of the historically famous Ferghana valley. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are covered by the CIGNA insurance plan. Kyrgyzstan is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment. It is considered as one of the open country in Central Asia and this fact makes a big sense for development work. The culture of Kyrgyzstan is heavily influenced by the traditions from nomadic life. Kyrgyz culture features influences from Russia, Persia, and Turkey, but yet remains something entirely unique. Nature influences are prominent, from the designs to the music, and many traditions reflect the fact that nomads lived closely with nature. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”
Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity without distinction.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), in line with the applicable host entity policy.

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