Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 43 Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

Context

This UN Volunteer assignment is part of the Cyber and New Technologies Unit at the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the Office of Counter-Terrorism (OCT) at the regional OCT office in Budapest, Hungary. The incumbent will provide human rights expertise in the implementation of the flagship UNOCT/UNCCT Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Cybersecurity and New Technologies. OCT was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 43 Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy. Cyber and New Technologies Unit is located with the UNCCT and is implementing a Global Counter-Terrorism Programme on Cybersecurity and New Technologies to support Member States, international and regional organizations and the United Nations entities in: • developing knowledge and raising awareness of challenges and opportunities related to new technologies in countering terrorism; • enhancing skills and capacities required to develop and implement effective national counterterrorism policy responses to the challenges and opportunities of new technologies; • preventing, mitigating and responding to terrorist and violent extremist groups’ misuse of new technologies like the Internet and AI to attack critical infrastructure; and in countering and investigating terrorist activities by gathering digital forensic evidence and through the use of new technologies. The Programme mainstreams human rights and gender in all of activities, to ensure that Member States’ counter-terrorism measures are in compliance with human rights and the rule of law and are gender-responsive.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Cyber and New Technologies Unit (Budapest) of the UNCCT/UNOCT or his/her designated mandated representative(s), and working closely with counterparts at the UNOCT Human Rights and Gender Section, the UN Volunteer will: • Researches and collects information pertaining to human rights matters with regard to counter-terrorism and new technologies, including their gender dimensions, from a variety of data sources, including analysis and recommendations from the UN human rights mechanisms on a specific country or thematic area. • Maintains awareness of current human rights issues in the countries assigned to him/her, including on relevant political and legal developments, especially in counter-terrorism and new technologies context • Provides recommendations how human-rights considerations can be reinforced in Cyber and New Technologies Programme through design and implementation, including in line with relevant UN Secretary-General Guidance Notes. • Researches and contributes to the integration of relevant human rights issues with regard to cyber and new technologies in countering terrorism, including their gender dimensions into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Cyber and New Technologies Programme’s capacity building efforts, including by conducting human rights analysis and human rights due diligence. • Liaises with government representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, UN agencies and other partners to provide advice on the human rights situation in the countries assigned with special attention to the use of counter-terrorism measures and new technologies. • Implements UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, when applicable to the beneficiaries in the countries assigned to him/her, including determining the applicability of the Policy, conducting the assessment, drafting relevant documentation, identifying possible mitigation measures and participates in discussions with relevant authorities and other stakeholders with the aim to agree on the mitigation measures, their implementation and human rights monitoring. • Participates in capacity building assistance missions on new technologies in countering terrorism for national law enforcement officials, representatives of the civil society and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in order to promote adherence to human rights and gender-sensitive approaches. • Contributes to drafting Cyber and New Technologies reports, communication and visibility materials. The above outlines the general responsibilities and requirements for the position of Human Rights Expert. Specific tasks and activities may vary based on the evolving needs of UNOCT country office in Budapest. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UNV mandate within their assignment and promote volunteerism through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate part of their time to the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant publications, developing networks with volunteering organisations and taking an active part in UNV activities (for example, 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 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 possible. The UNV is not to perform staff functions or any core functions involving any relevant administrative, managerial, and financial functions that may require delegation of authority and approving/certifying functions or supervision of staff members. Results/expected outputs: • Human rights and gender is mainstreamed across the work of the Programme. • The United Nations Human Rights Due Diligence Policy is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all Cyber and New Technologies capacity building activities for the countries assigned to him/her (when applicable). • Human rights and gender, modules for capacity building assistance, implemented by the Cyber and New Technologies Programme, are developed. • Human rights, including gender, training is integrated and delivered in assigned Cyber and New Technologies capacity building activities. • Human rights and gender considerations are integrated in all Cyber and New Technologies reports and communication materials.

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNOCT; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNOCT 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; 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. 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; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNOCT’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

The UN Volunteer will be based in Budapest, Hungary. Currently, there are no significant security threats in general nor direct threats to UN personnel or assets within the country. The cost of living in Budapest is, on the whole, lower than in many Western European countries. Rental prices in Budapest vary greatly depending on the area of the city you choose to live in. Budapest is a Family Duty Station and has a very well-developed healthcare system. Conditions of Service Initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). International UN Volunteers in Hungary receive Accommodation Supplements. UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. For more information on entitlements please read the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (https://explore.unv.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/UNVcos20221%20Complete%20hi-res-final_compressed_NOV22.pdf) and use the entitlement calculator available at https://app.unv.org/calculator For information specific to your assignment, please see below: Monthly Living Allowance (Per month): apx USD 2721.14 Expertise Differential (Per month); apx. USD 1088.45 Accommodation Supplement (Per Month: apx USD 544.22 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 4000 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): $225 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance Leave entitlements: -Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month -Certified sick leave: 30 days -Uncertified sick leave: 7 days -Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months -Maternity Leave: 16 weeks -Paternity Leave: 10 days The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements