Coordinator of the EU Temporary Relocation Platform

Front Line Defenders

Brussels, Belgium

The EU HRD Mechanism

A consortium of 12 international NGOs have won the contract to establish and implement an EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism. The members of the Consortium are: Front Line Defenders, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Network (ESCR-Net), International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA), Urgent Action Fund for Women Human Rights Defenders (UAF), Protection International, Peace Brigades International (PBI), Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF), Forum Asia and East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP). Front Line Defenders, RSF, OMCT and FIDH will form the Board of the Consortium. In order to implement the EU HRD Mechanism the Board will recruit an independent Secretariat for the project which will be managed by a Head of Secretariat. The EU HRD Mechanism will begin operations on 1st October 2015 with a contract for 36 months.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Under the supervision and management of the Head of Secretariat and with the assistance of the other personnel employed for the purposes of HRD Mechanism coordination: he/she ensures the effective coordination, development and animation of the EU Temporary Relocation Platform (EUTRP). This will include maintaining a communication platform between host institutions in order to share learnings, develop capacity and good practice, and coordinate effective responses to HRDs in need of temporary relocation. The Coordinator will work in close consultation with the members of the EUTRP and seek to establish guidelines on best practice as well as to expand the number of potential host institutions, particularly in the different global regions.

Tasks & General Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategy for the development of the EUTRP, under the guidance of the Head of Secretariat, and in consultation with EUTRP members;
• In close consultation with EUTRP members, creates related procedures and guidelines as well a monitoring tools;
• Undertakes research on HRD needs and best practice in terms of the support of HRDs undergoing temporary relocation in order to share lessons learnt and strengthen capacity;
• Undertakes research on potential new host institutions in Africa, Asia, Americas, Eurasia and the Middle East & North Africa that would have the capacity to support HRDs at risk in a context closer to their home country in order to facilitate continued human rights work if appropriate and a secure return where possible;
• Animates and documents discussion between HRDs and members of the EUTRP including through organising the annual meeting of the EUTRP;
• Reports issues faced in the Platform functioning to HoS and suggests proactively solutions;
• Reviews the dedicated internet website and suggest necessary adjustments; ensures that the required visibility is given to the EUTRP on the mechanism website and with relevant stakeholders;
• Is in charge of the reporting related to coordination of the EUTRP;
• Coordinates closely with the grant officers to keep a general overview of the grants allocated within the platform for temporary relocation.

Experience/knowledge

• Experience in coordinating with diverse stakeholders, preferably within a platform/network;
• Experience in creating and maintaining partnerships at international level;
• Research and evaluation experience;
• Experience of working with human rights defenders at risk.

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Good organizational skills, with strong experience in organizing and facilitating meetings.

The Coordinator of the EUTRP will be based in the HRD Mechanism's secretariat in Brussels and the role will involve frequent international travel to meet with host institutions. The post-holder will receive a gross annual salary of €45 080.

Applications comprising a CV with at least two references and a cover letter should be sent by email torecruit@frontlinedefenders.org by Monday 19th October. Interviews will be held in the week of 26th October in Brussels. The successful candidate will be expected to start work in November if possible. The initial contract will be for 36 months.

Overview of the EU HRD Mechanism

Objective

Human rights defenders at high risk and facing the most difficult situations in third countries, and the local actors who strive to promote and defend them, are supported by means of a worldwide, stable, comprehensive and gender-sensitive EU mechanism.

Over a period of 36 months the consortium will deliver the following activities, outputs and results with a particular focus on HRDs working in the most difficult countries and/or those who are particularly targeted including women human rights defenders, defenders of LGBTI rights, land rights and environmental rights defenders, HRDs defending the rights of indigenous peoples, minorities, people with disabilities, migrants and stateless persons, trade unionists promoting labour rights, lawyers, journalists, bloggers and others promoting fundamental freedoms, and HRDs challenging violations of economic, social and cultural rights.

Support to HRDs in the field

The Mechanism will deliver a faster and permanent EU response to support HRDs including through a 24/7 helpline and emergency grants ensuring that HRDs can access and implement urgent security measures to protect themselves, their family and their work. An EU temporary relocation programme will be established and HRDs at risk will be able to relocate inside their country, in the region or in Europe in case of urgent threat. HRD organisations have the means to implement activities adapted to changing local developments in order to advance a human rights agenda or to counter violations (including contesting laws, restrictions, sanctions and administrative provisions restricting their work).

Training, monitoring and advocacy

HRDs will receive support with capacity building including with regard to security and protection, digital security, stress management and financial and organisational management. The EU, the international community, other NGOs, the media and the public are more knowledgeable on the situation of HRDs collectively and individually. Intergovernmental institutions, international, regional and national human rights Mechanisms, influential states take action on individual cases and on legal, political and administrative provisions affecting HRDs.

Coordination and synergies

HRDs can better network and coordinate between themselves and with EU and international organisations and the coordination between HRDs initiatives and actors supported by the EIDHR is strengthened and there is greater sharing of lessons.

Outreach and visibility

The EU Mechanism will be promoted in such a way that it has high visibility and HRDs who are less well connected are able to access practical support. The HRD Mechanism will ensure the security of communications and information with regard to beneficiaries who may be at additional risk because of international support.