Organization Mission

The OHCHR/HRMMU was deployed on 14 March 2014 to monitor and report on human rights situation throughout Ukraine and to provide recommendations to the Government and other actors to address human rights concerns. The HRMMU currently has presences in Kyiv (capital), Donetsk and Luhansk (areas controlled by the armed groups), Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Mariupol and Odesa. Despite persistent denial of access to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (hereinafter Crimea) by the Russian Federation authorities controlling it, HRMMU monitors human rights situation in Crimea from mainland Ukraine – in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 68/262 – and using a framework of analysis based on international human rights and humanitarian law, pursuant to the General Assembly resolution 71/205 and 72/190.

Context

Deployed in March 2014, the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has a comprehensive mandate to monitor and report on the human rights situation throughout Ukraine, including in Ukrainian territory occupied by the Russian Federation, and to make recommendations to the Government and other actors to address human rights concerns as documented by the Mission. Recommendations outline concrete follow-up actions to address these concerns, prevent violations and mitigate emerging risks. HRMMU monitors, reports, and advocates on the human rights situation through its presence in multiple locations across Ukraine, as well as a small remote team in Chisinau, Moldova. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 78/221, HRMMU also monitors remotely, reports on, and advocates for the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Communications Officer, the Communications Associate will be responsible for the following duties:
• Supports design and implementation of the communication strategy of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) for human rights promotion and increased visibility of HRMMU:

(a) Assists in producing communication and reporting materials, including texts for social media, stories, press releases, images and videos, infographics, leaflets etc;
(b) Supports the maintenance and uploading of the information on official websites and social media to ensure that the content there is updated;
(c) Monitors and analyzes current social media trends and advises on appropriate social media campaigns and digital products;
(d) Contributes to organizing public online and offline events, including the launch of the OHCHR public reports in Ukraine, Human Rights Day etc;
(e) Works collectively with other UN communication officers within the UN Communication and Advocacy Group (UNCAG); elaborating and participating in joint digital communications campaigns, ensuring a human rights angle and approach;

• Contributes to the monitoring of HRMMU media coverage;
• Maintains and updates the stock of communications products and visibility materials of HRMMU;
• Performs other communication-related functions and special 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 taking an 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.
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that demonstrates a commitment to human rights and a dedication to promoting social justice.

Required Skills and Experience

• Excellent drafting skills in English are required.
• Graphic design and video editing skills are desirable.
• Experience within the United Nations common system or similar international organization is desirable.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism
• Communication
• Integrity
• Teamwork

Living Conditions

As it is a national UN Volunteer’s assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

Entitlements of National UN Volunteer Associate >> USD 1374

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy, with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances:
• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of USD 1374 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• USD 350 entry lump sum, one-time payment.

Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins at the Commencement of Service and normally ceases on the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.