Front Line Defenders seeks to recruit staff, interns and volunteers in an open and transparent manner. Front Line Defenders is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting cultural diversity within the Front Line Defenders staff. All positions are advertised via this website as well as through other media or networks appropriate to the position being advertised.
Unfortunately, due to the volume of requests we receive, it is not possible to keep general applications or CVs on file. During a recruitment process we do not generally review applications received until after the closing date. Shortlisting can take some time given the volume of applications we receive for some posts.
Front Line Defenders is currently recruiting for the following positions:
Front Line Defenders is recruiting an Advocacy Officer for a two-year fixed term contract in Brussels.
This role will have the responsibility to provide support to Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) at risk through pressing the EU and like minded states to take action on individual HRD cases, as well as through advocating for the adoption and reviewing of relevant policies to strengthen the protection of HRDs. Under the supervision of the Head of the Global Advocacy Team, the Advocacy Officer will engage directly with EU institutions and EU member States, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, the UN, civil society, HRDs and other relevant international, regional, or national actors.
For full job description see: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/advocacy_officer_...
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Minimum of two years of relevant experience in a similar role and sound knowledge of the functioning of the EU Institutions, EU human rights instruments, policy and practice, and the UN and international human rights standards.
- Ability to defend and explain complex issues and positions to international, regional, and national actors including governments and diplomats.
- Strong communication skills including the ability to clearly and concisely communicate ideas and render complex concepts accessible to human rights defenders not familiar with advocacy and/or the functioning of the EU and the UN.
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and advocate effectively.
- Excellent English communication and drafting skills.
- Ability to multi-task effectively, manage time, adjust to changing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within Front Line Defenders, as well as develop constructive relationships with HRDs, NGOs, international and regional organisations, and governments.
- Computer skills (office applications, database updating);
Desirable:
- Excellent communication and drafting skills in either French and/or Arabic.
- Demonstrated experience working with a human rights defender-centered approach and engaging with grassroots HRDs and/or communities of different cultures.
- Experience undertaking or contributing to high-quality research, analysis and drafting, as demonstrated by a range of publications.
- Experience working within the EU institutions, the UN, or a foreign ministry
- A graduate degree or an equivalent level of experience in human rights, law, international/European affairs, or a related field is required.
- Experience of human rights field work.
Salary and Remuneration
The salary range for this role is 3100-3500EUR per month gross (13.92 times a year) depending on experience. This will be agreed on appointment. Conditions are according to Belgian legislation including the legal ability to live and work in Belgium.
The contract is based on a 38 hours a week, Monday to Friday, based in the organisation’s EU office in Brussels. The Advocacy Officer may take 26 days leave per year in addition to public holidays in Belgium. The organisation provides life insurance, a contribution to health insurance, an income protection policy, and matches individual contributions to a pension up to 8% of gross salary.
Selection and appointment:
- To apply, candidates should send a CV and cover letter to Mark Leonard, HR Manager via the Apply Now function
- Closing date; midnight (local Irish time) on Friday 30th August 2024
Front Line Defenders and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) invite applications for an Internship at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa. It is a 12-month position based in Banjul, under the supervision of the ACHPR Secretariat. Candidates should be able to work in both English and French. Candidates who have experience as a Human Rights Defender in Africa will be prioritized.
The intern will gain practical work experience in an international institution, learn about Human Rights Defenders; the mandate of the ACHPR Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders; the specific situation and challenges facing Human Rights Defenders in the region and advocacy at the African Union level. They will be expected to participate in induction, periodic reviews, hearings, meetings, and relevant out-of-hours events.
The successful candidate will be able to draft well and have good analytical skills. They will have knowledge of the ACHPR functioning, and international and human rights law. They must be able to work in both English and French. Additional Africa Union working languages are an asset. Please note that we cannot make exceptions to the language requirement.
They will be able to work on own initiative and as a member of a team. They will have good oral and written communication skills and be computer literate. They will be flexible, have good interpersonal skills, good stress management skills and be cooperative. An ability to multitask and prioritize is a must. Previous work experience with organisations working in the field of human rights is desirable and previous experience working in a regional or international context will be an added advantage.
Basic terms of reference:
- Gather information on the situation of human rights defenders in Africa (with a particular focus on themes of concern identified by the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa);
- In coordination with other thematic mechanisms and with geographic desk officers, draft urgent appeals and communications to Governments concerning human rights violations against human rights defenders;
- Support follow-up of cases taken up by the mandate;
- Analyse replies received from Governments and prepare summaries for inclusion in the annual report;
- Assist in the preparation of background materials for official missions by the Special Rapporteur;
- Assist in liaising with non-governmental organizations for the smooth implementation of the mandate, as needed.
Applications with support documents should be directed to Ivi Oliveira, Protection Manager. Interviews are expected to take place during early September 2024 and will be held online. Applications should be submitted no later than Monday 26 August 2024. The next intern is expected to start in October 2024 for a period of 12 months.
Front Line Defenders is able to provide a contribution to living costs of USD 1,800.00 per month. Front Line Defenders will reimburse the successful candidate the cost of their flights to and from Banjul, as well as reimburse the costs of a health or travel insurance. Please note that you may need additional funds to sustain your stay in Banjul.
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Front Line Defenders annually recruits for two positions that are part of the organisation's commitment to strengthening international mechanisms supporting human rights defenders:
Internship at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul)
The purpose of the Internship is to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders at the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR). It is a 12 month position based in Banjul. Candidates should be able to work in English and French. Front Line Defenders will prioritise candidates who have experience as a human rights defender in Africa.
Frank Jennings Fellowship (Dublin & Geneva)
The Frank Jennings Fellowship was set up to give an opportunity for dedicated and talented individuals to gain experience working for the protection of human rights defenders in an international NGO and at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is named after Front Line Defenders former Head of Research who died after a long illness in 2005. Frank made a huge contribution to the development of human rights activism in Ireland and candidates who have some experience of human rights work in Ireland will be given priority.
The Frank Jennings Fellow spends three months at Front Line Defenders where he/she will be trained in relation to Human Rights Defenders; the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders; the Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur; the procedures and methodology of the mandate; the role of Front Line Defenders and other national and international organisations in the support and protection of Human Rights Defenders. The Fellow will then move to Geneva for a period six months before returning to Front Line Defenders for a further three months.
Invitation to tender for website redesign
Front Line Defenders is currently inviting tender submissions from interested Website Design and Development Suppliers to lead on a substantial redesign of its website. For more details and instructions on how to apply, please visit here.
Volunteering at Front Line Defenders
We greatly appreciate the valuable contribution of volunteers who support the work of Front Line Defenders.
The best way to get involved is to help Front Line Defenders raise awareness about the risks faced by human rights defenders around the world and to help raise much needed funds to increase their security and protection.
When human rights defenders visit Ireland on rest & respite, it is important to provide a network of support to them. This community of support includes volunteers interested in accompanying the human rights defender sightseeing, to music and cultural activities, sharing about Irish history and current affairs or other hobbies/activities that may be of interest. Language support is especially useful to visiting human rights defenders. The working languages of Front Line Defenders are English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Russian but sometimes we also need support with other languages.
If specific additional volunteering opportunities arise, they will be posted here.
