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Advocacy Officer Protection International

Protection International (PI) is an International NGO based in Brussels which aims at contributing to the improvement of the protection of human rights defenders throughout the world, through developing their capacity to manage their own security as they struggle against impunity and develop their activities in favour of human rights and democracy in their respective countries or regions. PI seeks to contribute to a situation where human rights defenders are recognized as legitimate actors for social change and to an environment where they can exercise their right to defend universally recognised human rights.

To this end PI is developing a Global Protection Programme for Human Right Defenders and has established Protection Desks (PD), in general in partnership with local partners, or Regional Offices, in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Thailand, Indonesia and Nepal.

(Further information on PI and its activities can be found on the following web sites:
(www.protectioninternational.org) and www.protectionline.org)


JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Advocacy Officer
Location: Brussels
Reports to: Executive-Committee


Advocacy Tasks (4/5)

- Develop and implement advocacy strategies in coordination with PI video-advocacy unit, PI field representatives and local partners in order to enhance human rights defenders’ protection, notably by EU and EU Member States, international institutions such as United Nations etc.
- Monitor EU and EU Members States’ policy regarding human rights defenders’ protection.
- Follow-up on protection cases, in coordination with other PI units, PI field representatives, and local partners.
- Elaborate documents for advocacy purpose.
- Strengthen and develop contacts with MPs at European Parliament and EU Member States Parliaments in order to set up a parliamentarian’s network on HRDs’ protection.
- Feed UN mechanisms when relevant.
- Represent Protection International before EU and Member States, non EU States, United Nations and other institutions, and participate to international events and conferences.
- Network with other organizations working in areas of interest

Outreach and Other Tasks (1/5)

- Liaise with the Outreach officer, the Executive Committee, other units and field offices to develop communication strategies.
- Support the Outreach officer to the dissemination of PI materials and publications (press releases, newsletters, reports, articles, videos and manuals), in close cooperation with PI’s thematic areas and field teams.
- Feed the elaboration process of proposals and contribute to the redaction of narrative reports for donors.
- Contribute to administrative tasks when necessary.


ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Education and experience

- University Degree (Licence/Master) in relevant field (Political Sciences, International Human Rights Law / International Humanitarian Law, Social Sciences, etc.).
- At least 3 years of experience in the field of human rights and good knowledge of specific instruments related to human rights defenders’ protection.
- Proven experience in advocacy work and of working with Human Rights Defenders.
- Good knowledge of EU institutions and policy-making process.
- Good knowledge of human rights defenders’ situation or at least human rights’ contexts in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
- Ability to prepare material for advocacy (briefings, notes etc.).


Skills

- Strategic and analytical skills.
- Ability to communicate with relevant stakeholders and diplomatic skills.
- Strong redaction skills.
- Proficiency in English and French (Speaking spanish is an asset).
- Excellent communication, networking, and inter-personal skills.
- Good computer skills

Personal Qualities

- Commitment to PI’s values and clear understanding of the concept of universality of human rights.
- Innovative and independent worker.
- Ability to work in a small team and share information.
- Ability to manage relationships inside and outside PI in a constructive and diplomatic manner and with discretion, without loosing a good sense of humour.
- Capacity to work in a multi-cultural environment.
- Flexibility
- Ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
- Some willingness to travel.

DESIRABLE

- Spanish highly desirable.
- Experience in project development.
- Knowledge of regional human rights systems.
- Knowledge of Social Media and internet instruments (CMS)

CONTRACT CONDITIONS

- Unfixed-duration contract under Belgian legislation, part-time (30 hours/week) with a 6 months of trial period. Continuation is subject to funding and mutual satisfaction.
- Salary to be negotiated according to previous experience and donors’ requirementsPI offers a number of additional employment benefits that increase net salary.
- Applicants need to hold a valid work permit for Belgium or citizenship of an EU Member State that requires no work permit in Belgium.
- Starting date: November 2011


SELECTION PROCESS

Applications should be sent by e-mail to:
advocacy@protectioninternational.org

Or by post at the following address

Protection International aisbl
Rue de la linière, 11
B – 1060 Brussels

Deadline to submit applications: 24 October 2011

The application should include:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae including 2 references
- Desirable: letters of recomendation