Since 1995, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has been partnering with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) to uphold the human rights standards that are guaranteed under international law. UN Volunteers support OHCHR's mission to prevent human rights violations, secure respect for all human rights and promote international cooperation in the protection of human rights.
How does the recruitment of UN Volunteers add value to OHCHR?
As an efficient, speedy and diverse talent solution for UN partners, UN Volunteers serve with UN entities to bring people to the forefront of development, peace and humanitarian issues. UNV manages a pool of over 350,000 talented and qualified UN Volunteers who can be deployed to bolster the delivery of OHCHR’s programmes and support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
OHCHR Mexico has three UN Volunteers assigned. Their high level of education and experience and above all their great commitment to human rights has made them a fundamental pillar in the office. --Jesus Peña, Deputy Representative of OHCHR, Mexico
In 2018, UNV and the UN Secretariat signed a new Memorandum of Understanding – which also applies to OHCHR – to further strengthen the partnership between the entities.
UN Volunteers work within communities, making them well-placed to monitor and document human rights violations, support research analyses, and improve inclusion, participation and engagement with affected populations, supporting OHCHR’s efforts to advance the protection of human rights.
Today, UNV and OHCHR further join forces to increase the advocacy of rights for persons with disabilities by integrating a stronger inclusion of persons with disabilities as UN Volunteers both within OHCHR and throughout the UN system.
Read more about UN Volunteers serving with OHCHR.
To partner with UNV and recruit UN Volunteers to support OHCHR’s programmes and operations, contact the UNV Field Representation or Regional Office for guidance and support.
Additionally, the UN Partners Toolkit serves as a valuable resource for UN entities looking to host UN Volunteers. It provides essential information and resources that facilitate the effective engagement and management of UN Volunteers. By utilizing the toolkit, UN entities can expedite the recruitment of dedicated and talented UN Volunteers to support delivery on their mandates and goals. To gain a deeper understanding of our partnerships and access the 2024 data on UN partners hosting UN Volunteers, please click here.