Associate Human Rights Officer, Chisinau

General

Description of assignment title: Associate Human Rights Officer

Assignment country: Republic of Moldova

Duty stations: Chisinau

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 02/01/2027

Duration: 12 months

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity: OHCHR Moldova

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. The UN General Assembly established The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in December 1993. UN Human Rights represents the world's commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

UN Human Rights Moldova supports the Government, judiciary, parliament, law enforcement, civil society, National Human Rights Institutions, academia and the UN Country Team among others, in strengthening the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights in the Republic of Moldova. The Office’s thematic priorities are: (i) advancing sustainable development through increased human rights and evidence-based policy and decision making; (ii) supporting an increased meaningful engagement between rights-holders and duty-bearers to prevent human rights violations, including discriminatory trends, to strengthen the rule of law and to sustain peace; (iii) supporting an increased national implementation of international human rights obligations, including recommendations from international human rights mechanisms.

Context

The Associate Human Rights Officer will contribute to the work of UN Human Rights Moldova in promoting the right to freedom from torture and ill-treatment in Moldova. Starting in 2027, UN Human Rights will implement an EU-funded project aimed at strengthening the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, with a focus on temporary detention facilities. The project will strengthen the capacities of duty-bearers and national human rights institutions and support civil society organizations in their work in this area.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of an international Human Rights Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Contribute daily to the implementation of the project aimed at strengthening the pre-vention of torture and ill-treatment, with a focus on temporary detention facilities.
• Contribute to establishing and maintaining cooperation between duty-bearers and in-ternational consultants engaged under the project.
• Support the team implementing the project in organizing capacity-building activities for duty-bearers and civil society organizations.
• Contribute to supporting the CSO sub-grant recipient in the implementation of its activi-ties.
• Contribute to the implementation of the project’s communication strategy by preparing short materials for social media, including key messages and other communications content.
• Provide support in the preparation and organization of Steering Committee meetings.
• Carry out other related tasks as needed.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

1 month

Donor priorities

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria

This assignment is funded by the Government of the Czech Republic and therefore specific criteria apply:

• Only nationals of the Czech Republic can be considered.
• Candidates who already served on a UN Volunteer assignment funded by the Government of the Czech Republic are not eligible.

APPLICATION

• You may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the ‘Additional remarks’ field when filling in the application form.

SELECTION

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

No experience required

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Romanian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
• Russian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Human rights, law, international relations, social sciences or related fields.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated interest in human rights and/or
• experience working with state authorities and civil society organizations and/or
• experience in supporting the implementation of a project in relevant subject area
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Skills in:

• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively to a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and of-fice technology equipment;
• Time management and ability to meet deadlines

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, advocacy, public information, Human rights, Legal affairs

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, is a well-developed city with a very high degree of security. It offers a diverse range of accommodation, restaurants, has public transport, and has a large number of parks. Supermarkets have a good selection of products, Internet is available, running water and heating function well, state run as well as private clinics are available. Moldova is a unique country and UN Human Rights is a unique organization. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

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

Scam warning

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