Vacancy Announcement: Human Rights Officer / Human Rights Defenders Programme

The WorldOrganisation AgainstTorture (OMCT), the largest international coalition of non governmental organisationsfighting against torture, summary executions, forced disappearanceand all other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The OMCT isalso a leading organisation defending human rights defenders worldwideand a member of ProtectDefenders.eu, the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanismimplemented by international civil society.

The OMCT isseeking to recruit aFULL TIME HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER for its Human Rights Defenders Programmebased in its Brussels Office (OMCT Europe).

The positionshould be filled assoon as possible.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Theincumbent will work under thesupervision of the Director of OMCT Human Rights Defenders Programme and the Headof OMCT Brussels Office. Responsibilities of the position include:

Protectionand Advocacy Grants Management

- To coordinateOMCT emergency support to human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk as well assubgranting and advocacy grants to local human rights organisations worldwide.This role will involve:

· Managingemergency grants to HRDs at risk, including screening grants applicationsand assessing the eligibility and needs of applicants;

· Overseeinggrant-related expenses and ensuring that expenditures are properly tracked,documented and recorded;

· Managing thedocumentation and reporting on grants beneficiaries during the lifecycle ofthe grants as well as related follow-up on measures implemented and impacton the security of beneficiaries;

· Taking partin field missions to verify and follow up grants allocated.

AdvocacySupport

- To conduct caseadvocacy for HRDs towards and liaise with European Union and UnitedNations institutions as well as other regional mechanisms for an effectivepolicy for the protection of HRDs;

- To write orsupervise urgent interventions in cases involving HRDs and disseminate them andsupport protection advocacy for defenders under threat;

- To liaise withOMCT Network organisations;

- To representOMCT / the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders byparticipating in relevant seminars, meetings, missions and conferences;

- To assist withother activities of OMCT Human Rights Defenders Programme / the Observatoryfor the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in support to OMCT Geneva andBrussels offices.

QUALIFICATIONS

- University degree inlaw, international relations, political or social sciences or related field.

- At least threeyears of practical experience in international human rights work, includingthrough internships. Field experience or previous work at the EU or UN level isan asset, as is work on human rights defenders.

- Excellent practicalknowledge and understanding of international human rights law, human rights NGOs,UN procedures, EU institutions and regional mechanisms for the protectionof human rights.

- Demonstrated commitmentto human rights and the rule of law.

- Excellent interpersonal,communication and management skills managing conflicting demands,meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities.

- Ability to adapt tomultidisciplinary work in the environment of a multicultural team and toengage with partners in different countries.

- Ability to takeinitiatives and prioritise with minimum supervision.

- Excellent oral andwritten communication skills in two of the following languages (English,French or Spanish) with working knowledge in the remaining language. Fluency inRussian would be an asset.

- Skills in the useof software applications and database management and secure communicationis an asset.

APPLICATIONS

OMCT is anequal opportunitiesemployer.

Applicationscomprising a cover letterand a CV with at least two references should be addressed to OMCT InternationalSecretariat, by email to hd@omct.org.No phone calls please. Only shortlistedcandidates will be notified.

Deadline forthe applications:June 4, 2017. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 13.0px Arial}p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px Arial}p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 48.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -24.0px; font: 13.0px Arial}p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 85.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.9px; font: 13.0px Arial}p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 48.0px; text-align: justify; font: 13.0px Arial}span.s1 {font: 13.0px 'Times New Roman'; text-decoration: underline ; color: #0433ff}span.s2 {font: 14.0px Arial}span.s3 {font: 13.0px 'Times New Roman'}span.s4 {font: 9.0px 'Times New Roman'}span.s5 {text-decoration: underline}