When: Thursday, 8. May 2014
To: Sunday, 18. May 2014
Host: Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF)
Contact: Florian Irminger, Head of Advocacy and HRHF Geneva Office (florian.irminger@humanrightshouse.org / +41 22 33 22 552)

Position: European Advocacy Officer
Duration: 1 year
Reporting to: HRHF’s Head of Advocacy and Geneva Office
Occupation: 100% (can be discussed)
Start: As soon as possible
Location: Brussels (Belgium)
Missions abroad: Regular travelling can be required, especially to Geneva, Oslo, Strasbourg, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Western Balkans.

About you

The successful candidate is expected to be an active NGO person, have a mature and flexible attitude, display good time management skills, and be able to undertake work independently. She/he is furthermore expected to be engaged in NGOs, able to organise events, have an expertise of the European Union mechanisms and policies, and an understanding of other international human rights bodies especially the Council of Europe. Excellent interpersonal skills are required, as well as an eagerness to learn and network.

 

Core duties 

The European Advocacy Officer position includes a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to:

  • Conduct background research and assist with the collection of relevant information on European Union mechanisms, including the Council, the European Parliament, the European External Action Service, and other relevant mechanisms, especially in regard with economic cooperation between the European Union and Eastern European countries;
  • Assist in developing advocacy strategies towards the European Union for specific countries, especially Azerbaijan, Serbia and Ukraine;
  • Develop and maintain a mapping of MEPs, which HRHN an use for its advocacy;
  • Conduct background research and assist with the collection of relevant information on Council of Europe mechanisms, including the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly, the Venice Commission, the Commission for the Prevention of Torture, the Secretary General and the Commissioner, as well as the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations;
  • Develop and maintain a mapping of MPs within the Council of Europe system, which HRHN can use for its advocacy;

As HRHF’s European Advocacy Officer, you answer to HRHF’s Head of Advocacy and Geneva Office. You are part of HRHF’s team and we expect interest and engagement in all HRHN activities, as well as participation in relevant staff meetings and seminars and HRHN conferences and meetings.

(Detailed description in the employement description.)

Skills and competences

Besides genuine interest in and basic knowledge of human rights and of international human rights mechanisms, candidates should have a proven experience in working in civil society organisations, in addition to:

  • Relevant academic background (international law, international relations, political sciences);
  • Proven experience to multitask, work under limited supervision and take initiative under tight deadlines;
  • Proven experience to run NGO projects, as well as in project proposal development and fundraising;
  • Sound understanding of the European Union mechanisms and policies (and Council of Europe mechanisms and tools), and the work of NGOs in the European Union;
  • Excellent command of oral and written English (knowledge of Russian is an asset), and strong writing skills –ability to draft articles on human rights issues;
  • Capacity to see the big picture, have a keen attention to detail, and be hands-on, like to work in a team and to communicate with colleagues, and strong interpersonal skills.

 

Application procedure is descirbed in the employement description. Deadline for applications is on 18 May 2014.

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