Project Coordinator on Freedom of Association EMHRN

Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network

Paris, France

Overview
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) invites candidates to apply for the post of coordinator for its project on freedom of association, based in Paris, France.

Project
Since 2006 the EMHRN has developed a regional project aimed at promoting the right to freedom of association in the Euro-Mediterranean region with a specific focus on the Southern-Mediterranean countries. EMHRN’s work builds on a close cooperation with its membership, in particular trough a Working Group on Freedom of Association made of about 15 human rights organisations from the whole region. In recent years, EMHRN’s Working Group on Freedom of Association has implemented a series of activities, including the drafting and publication of an annual Review on Freedom of Association in the Euro-Med region (see EMHRN Freedom of Association Reviews on our website), networking and capacity-building actions as well as a range of awareness-raising and advocacy initiatives on issues related to freedom of association. The EMHRN is now about to implement a 3-year project, partially financed by the European Union, which will build on the work carried out in the field of freedom of association during previous years while expanding it to include the rights to freedom of movement and freedom of assembly, both key issues in the Euro-Med region.

Role
As coordinator of EMHRN’s project on freedom of association, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing EMHRN initiatives in the field of freedom of association and freedoms of assembly and movement. You will work under the supervision of the EMHRN management team and in close contact with members EMHRN’s executive committee and EMHRN’s Working Group on Freedom of Association. You will be based in our office in Paris, where you will work closely with our Solidarity team which works specifically on supporting human rights defenders in Algeria, Tunisia and Syria.

Duties:

• Ensure proper implementation of EMHRN’s project on freedom of association and freedoms of assembly and movement (hereinafter “and related issues”) and develop work plans for the implementation of the project and possible follow-up;
• Organise Working Group meetings and ensure contacts between the Working Group members on a regular basis;
• Develop EMHRN advocacy and awareness raising strategy on freedom of association and related issues, including advocacy tours, research and publication of reports;
• Coordinate the production of reports, research and recommendations on issues related to freedom of association and related issues;
• Maintain contact to other non-governmental organisations on issues pertaining to freedom of association and related issues;
• Monitor the situation where members or partners and their work are at risk and coordinate actions in urgent cases;
• Ensure proper financial management of budgets as well as narrative and financial reporting of projects;
• Ensure gender mainstreaming of project activities.

Principal qualifications and core competences

• Advanced university degree in law, political or social science or similar qualification;
• Proven track record with civil society work in the Middle East/North Africa;
• A minimum of 3 years of experience within project management, preferably in an NGO;
• Knowledge of human rights standards. Particular knowledge and experience with issues related to freedoms of association, assembly or movement will be considered a major advantage;
• Knowledge and experience of advocacy addressing the EU institutions;
• Excellent French and English (both spoken and written);
• Knowledge of Arabic will be considered an advantage, but is no requirement.

Other competences:

• Good communication skills (oral and written);
• Ability to draft clearly and succinctly;
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with NGOs, government representatives and representatives of inter-governmental institutions;
• Ability to work efficiently in a multicultural environment, in particular in a North African/Middle East context;
• Analytical skills, resourceful and organised work practices with capacity to deal efficiently with changing priorities;
• Ability to keep strict deadlines and deal with several projects simultaneously; Computer literacy (Word and Excel required).

Terms and Conditions
Duty station: Paris, France
Duration: time-unlimited contract
Trial period: 3-month
Work: 35 hours per week
Salary: based on the EMHRN internal salary scale
Start of the assignment: 2 January 2012 or as soon as possible after.

To apply

• Applicants should forward an application letter and their curriculum vitae, both in English and by email only, no later than Friday 2 December 2011 to Migena Jakobsen at mja@euromedrights.net;
• Further information: you are welcome to contact Marit Flø Jørgensen, Programme Director, at mfj@euromedrights.net for further information on the position;
• For information on the EMHRN and its project on Freedom of Association please see at www.euromedrights.org.

Background:
The EMHRN is a network of more than 70 human rights organisations in 30 countries. Its mission is to promote and strengthen human rights and democratic reform within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Process/Union for the Mediterranean, the European Neighbourhood Policy and other EU- Arab cooperation frameworks. The Network seeks to develop and strengthen partnerships between NGOs in the EuroMed region, disseminate human rights values and increase members’ capacity in this regard.