Human Rights Officer, 6-month contract, with possibility of renewal Location and start date: Geneva, Switzerland; starting 15 March 2012 Reporting to: Director of the Legal Department, Legal Department supervisor
Job description: Working closely with Alkarama’s regional offices and contacts in the Arab world, the Human Rights Officer will work to bring an end to individual cases of human rights violations – namely extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture and arbitrary detention – with a regional focus on the Maghreb. This will include communicating such violations to the UN human rights mechanisms through individual complaints and country reports; carrying out country visits; liaising with regional and national civil society; and undertaking other advocacy actions to achieve these objectives.
Major responsibilities:
- Manage portfolio of individual/group cases of violations and ensure relevant follow up (keeping abreast of developments in the case, further submission of information, media work etc.);
- Research into and preparation of individual complaints to the UN human rights mechanisms (to Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies etc. – includes contact with victims and their families, national and international NGOs, Alkarama country representatives, the UN etc.);
- Drafting and presenting reports on country situations to UN human rights mechanisms (e.g. reviews by Treaty Bodies, Human Rights Council complaint procedure etc. – may include travel to country for research and follow up purposes);
- Supervision of interns;
- Contribution to planning of, and participation in, projects of strategic importance to the organization such as the preparation of Alkarama’s annual report, Alkarama Award.
Requirements
- Advanced university law degree, or a first-level law degree with related work experience;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the UN human rights system; Ability to produce high-quality legal documentation (e.g. individual complaints to Special Procedures);
- Knowledge of the legal, political and cultural realities of the Arab world and particularly those of North Africa;
- Fluency in Arabic and French, working proficiency in English welcomed:
- Swiss work permit and ability to travel to the Maghreb.
Desired
- Highly organized, able to work quickly, effectively and independently under tight deadlines with colleagues who are often located in remote locations;
- Excellent communication skills and ability to interact with a number of different partners and contacts, including UN staff, governmental authorities, grassroots organizations, victims and their families, NGOs and the media;
- Ability to work in a small, multicultural team, and respect for diversity. Benefits and Salary
- Salary commensurate with experience and responsibilities
To apply: please send your curriculum vitae and a cover letter in one email, with the subject header "Application: Human Rights Officer - Maghreb" to jobs@alkarama.org by Monday Feb 27, 2012.
