Human Rights Officer - Pakistan

Global Human Rights Defence

The Hague, Netherlands

Global Human Rights Defence is looking for a motivated human rights officer, with 2-3 years’ experience, to join our small and close-knit team in The Hague. The right person will be an excellent English writer, analytical thinker and demonstrated human rights activist, with knowledge of the human rights situation in Pakistan, project coordination skills and a ‘team’ mentality. We want someone who is not afraid to get out from behind their desk and work ‘hands on’ with our partners in Pakistan and with other civil society organization’s and relevant individuals here in the Netherlands and broader Europe.

About GHRD

GHRD is an international human rights organisation advocating for minority victims of human rights abuse in South Asia and focusing particularly in areas where international attention and media coverage is lacking. Our key countries of operation are Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan. 

Our staff work directly with local grassroots organisations in our countries of operation and combine human rights capacity building, reporting and advocacy with education, awareness raising and small- scale local aid projects.

Focus - minority groups: GHRD’s work centers on protecting and fighting for the rights and freedoms of minority and indigenous communities in South Asian countries who have received little or no attention from their governments or the international community. Amongst these are religious, linguistic, ethnic, caste, gender and tribal communities.

International platform: In Europe, GHRD provides an international platform for minority groups and victims of human rights abuse from South Asia and facilitates and promotes their active involvement in decision making processes and the execution of projects. GHRD also actively works on youth education projects related to human rights and migrant rights here in the Netherlands and broader Europe.

GHRD is a small NGO with great impact and is currently in a growth phase.

Job description

The Human Rights Officer (HRO) shall be responsible mainly for advocacy in Europe and monitoring developments in the human rights field as they impact on minority rights in South Asia (specifically Pakistan), in communication with the appropriate human rights mechanisms, and in planning campaigns and advocacy activities with the partners of GHRD. The HRO shall assist in the documentation work, systematize information from the field and transform these into media material, prepare human rights reports, synthesis documents, briefing papers, articles and other such materials, needed for campaigns and advocacy, undertake networking and alliance work for collaboration and support from non-indigenous civil society organisations and international NGOs. The HRO will also be responsible for liaising and coordinating with local partners in Pakistan on projects, information and capacity building activities.

Additionally, the HRO shall work with other members of the Human Rights Team in coordinating activities such as meetings, exchanges, trainings, researches, and publication and documentation, and other tasks as may be needed. The HRO will be responsible for supervising interns and volunteers and will report to management on their performance.

Selection criteria

• Background in human rights, development, law, politics, international relations or social policy;
• Knowledge of minority rights in South Asia (Pakistan in particular) and awareness of cultural sensitivities;
• Extensive knowledge on human rights issues at the local and national level with and knowledge on international human rights standards and mechanisms;
• Knowledge in the field of human rights monitoring and documentation;
• Knowledge in the field of campaign and advocacy work and excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience in cross programme coordination;
• Excellent writing skills in English with report writing ability. Experience in writing reports, policy briefs and press releases;
• Proficient in use of basic computer applications such as MS Word, MS Excel and Power Point;
• Highly creative and motivated. Able to bring ideas and suggestions to the table and influence the growth of this changing organization;
• Mature personality with the ability to work in a small but growing team, in a multicultural setting;
• Willing to travel to Asia (specifically Pakistan);
• Team player who is flexible and willing to work on a variety of tasks and projects at any given time.

Key competencies

Respect for diversity and cultural sensitivity:

• Works effectively with people from all backgrounds;
• Treats all people with dignity and respect, giving effect to the international human rights standards on non-discrimination on any ground;
• Shows respect and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates inclusivity, understanding and collegiality in daily work and decision making;
• Examine own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses and does not discriminate against any individual or group;
• Changes systems and processes when biases are identified.

Working with others:

• Promotes team work and removes barriers to effective team working;
• Manages conflict and works towards mutual solutions;
• Provides advice and guidance for others sensitively and where appropriate;
• Develops a wide network, including senior level contacts to facilitate activities and further own knowledge;
• Demonstrates an ability to negotiate with and influence senior colleagues and contacts;
• Proactively liaises with partners & third parties.

Developing and applying professional expertise:

• Applies specialist knowledge to achieve anticipated results;
• Proactively identifies how to develop specialist knowledge;
• Presents self as credible to both internal and external contacts.

Decision making:

• Considers the relevant justifications for a particular course of action;
• Takes context into consideration when making decisions;
• Makes effective decisions when acting on behalf of a senior colleague, seeking advice where appropriate;
• Bases actions and approaches on the root cause of an issue, rather than the symptoms.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of assigned tasks, honours deadlines;
• Ensures timely delivery of outputs within defined cost and quality standard parameters;
• Takes responsibility for own shortcomings and compliances.

Communication:

• Presents credible information confidently;
• Presents effectively to large groups on key topics;
• Guides others in most appropriate style and content of communication to others;
• Uses tact and appropriate terminology in writing email/reports;
• Establishes a culture of consistent, clear, collegial and respectful communication;
• Demonstrably protects the reputation of GHRD;
• Demonstrably ensures confidentiality and protection of certain documentation and communication.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is May 16, 2013. Note that candidates who can begin work on June 1st 2013 will be treated favorably. 

Please send your resume and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) outlining your motivation and how you meet the selection criteria to:
Julia de Blaauw: jdeblaauw@ghrd.org and Ranjeev Gowri: rgowri@ghrd.org.