Details:

Mission and objectives:

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Colombia was established, upon request of the Commission on Human Rights and the initiative of the Government of Colombia, on 29 November 1996 by an Agreement between the Government of Colombia and the High Commissioner for Human Rights (E/CN.4/1997/11). OHCHR has been present in Colombia since 1997. OHCHR-Colombia operates from the capital city, Bogotá, and five field presences across the country. It implements a comprehensive strategy that includes:

1) monitoring of the human rights situation with a view to advising the authorities on the formulation and implementation of policies, programmes and measures to promote and protect human rights, also in the context of violence, including through the presentation of annual reports on the human rights situation in Colombia to the Human Rights Council;

2) cooperation and technical assistance and advice to the Government to promote respect and observance of human rights and international humanitarian law in Colombia;

3) provision of technical assistance and advice to civil society and non-governmental human rights organizations and individuals, and

4) promotion of human rights to the general public and dissemination of information on international human rights and humanitarian law standards.

Context:

Within the framework of its mandate, the Office has been working to strengthen communities and local authorities across different regions of the country, with a particular focus on those areas most affected by the internal armed conflict. Strengthening local communities so they are better prepared and able to actively participate in decision-making processes that affect them, as well as in the implementation of local peacebuilding initiatives, especially in conflict-affected areas, remains a key priority for the Office. This approach also constitutes a strategic measure to build trust, promote stabilization, and enhance the sustainability of peace efforts at the local level.

In this context, the assignment places particular emphasis on advisory and advocacy work aimed at supporting the realization of the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples, Black and Afro-descendant communities, and peasant communities in prioritized territorial contexts. This includes support for the strengthening of self-governance structures, community-based justice systems, access to land and territory, and the effective exercise of the right to free, prior and informed consultation.

The overall objective of this UN Volunteer assignment is to contribute to the development and implementation of a capacity-strengthening programme for local organizations, enabling them to effectively advocate for the fulfillment of human rights before the relevant State institutions responsible for the respect, protection, and guarantee of those rights. In addition, the assignment will support the integration and application of an ethnic and intercultural approach into the Office’s territorial work, ensuring that interventions are responsive to the specific rights, identities, and needs of ethnically diverse communities.





The assignment will also provide structured exposure to OHCHR’s human rights monitoring methodology, territorial engagement, analytical and reporting processes, and community-based protection work, under close supervision and mentoring.

Task type:

-

Task description:

Under the direct supervision of the Field Office Coordinator in Cali the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

- Support human rights monitoring, documentation and basic analysis in prioritized terri-tories, under close guidance from Human Rights Officers.

- Support fieldwork activities by assisting in the collection and organization of basic in-formation related to the human rights situation in prioritized communities, under close supervision.

- Assist in the reception and initial documentation of complaints, as well as in the support of interviews with victims and witnesses of human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law.

- Support basic research tasks on human rights issues affecting specific groups, includ-ing Indigenous Peoples and other ethnic communities, as requested by Human Rights Officers.

- Assist with the compilation of information and administrative inputs for periodic reports on human rights and international humanitarian law trends in the assigned area.

- Support the registration and organization of cases of human rights violations in the Office’s database, following established guidelines and under supervision.

- Provide logistical and administrative support for external activities such as workshops, training, meetings, and field visits organized by the Office.

- Assist in reviewing and organizing information from media sources and internal docu-mentation, contributing to basic summaries by geographic area or thematic focus.

- Support the dissemination of information related to the mandate of the Office to local stakeholders, as guided by supervisors.

- Respond to routine information requests and perform other basic support tasks as re-quired.

- Support the integration of ethnic, gender and intercultural approaches across monitor-ing, analysis, capacity-strengthening and engagement with communities and authori-ties.

During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check-ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance feedback.

Requirements:

Demonstrated interest and/or experience (ideally one year) in:

- Human rights monitoring and reporting.

- Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies, and guidelines related to human rights.

- Exposure to a range of human rights issues, including sensitivity to addressing complex or sensitive situations.

- Research,



basic analysis, discussion, and drafting of human rights–related documents.

- Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;

Skills in:

- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;

- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet

- Familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; Self-moti-vated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Competencies and values:

- Accountability
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Commitment and Motivation
- Communication
- Ethics and Values
- Integrity
- Respect for Diversity
- Working in Teams

Work Hours: -

Area(s) of expertise:

- Community development
- Emergency preparedness, crisis response
- Legal affairs

Required education level:

Master's degree

Other information: The assignment is based in Santiago de Cali, the capital city of the department of Valle del Cauca, located in southwestern Colombia. According to official demographic data from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), Cali is the third most populous city in the country and serves as a key territorial, economic, and administrative center in the region.

Santiago de Cali is situated at an average altitude of approximately 1,018 meters above sea level. Its geographic location contributes to a warm climate throughout the year, with an average temperature close to 24°C, as reported by local and national public entities.

The city has broad coverage of essential public services, including electricity, potable water, sanitation, public transportation, healthcare, and banking services, in accordance with urban service coverage monitored by national and municipal authorities.

Cali is served by the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, which provides connections to major cities within Colombia and selected international destinations, facilitating national and international mobility.

From an administrative perspective, the municipality is organized into 22 urban comunas and 15 corregimientos (rural districts), reflecting its mixed urban–rural structure. This territorial organization supports decentralized governance and service delivery across the municipality.

Santiago de Cali is characterized by a diverse urban layout, with a combination of modern residential areas and a historic city center that remains an active area for public administration, commercial activities, and cultural life, as recognized in official municipal planning and territorial development instruments.

The assignment may involve periodic field missions to areas affected by violence, insecurity or institutional fragility. All travel is conducted in accordance with UN security procedures and

under the guidance of the Office. Flexibility, cultural sensitivity and adherence to security protocols are essential.

📌 Human Right Associate (Colombia)
🏢 United Nations
📍 Colombia