Tactiques et outils de protection
des défenseurs des Droits Humains

Protection International aisbl, within its Global Protection Program for Human Rights Defenders offers an employment as

2 Program Directors based in Headquarter office in Brussels

Protection International is an equal opportunities employer
and fights against all kind of discrimination

Background
Protection International aisbl (PI) is an International NGO based in Brussels which aims at contributing, through non-violent means, 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 a sustainable peace and justice 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 effectively and safely exercise their right to defend universally recognised human rights.
Protection International gives special attention to those members of the world’s Human Rights community that, due to gender, minority status and other marginalization factors are at even greater risk.
To this end PI is developing a Global Protection Programme for Human Right Defenders, and has established Protection Desks (some of them managed with local partners), or Regional Offices, with a view to transfering the skills and logic needed to ensure HRDs’ protection and security. At present, PI has opened PDs o Regional offices in Colombia (covering South America), Guatemala (covering Honduras and El Salvador), Mexico, DR Congo, Uganda (covering the East and Horn of Africa), with an antenna in Kenya, Thailand (covering South and East Asia), with antennas in Indonesia and Nepal.
The Global Protection Programme takes into account the specific activities of the defenders, as well as their qualifications and skills. By doing so it provides the appropriate solutions to the security problems each HRD encounters. Ad hoc (emergency situations) and medium-term activities, such as security and protection training, permanent technical desks on the ground (protection desks), networking, advocacy, political support and media presence all aim at building a protection system, which is as comprehensive as possible, to prevent attacks against HRDs and to reverse the trend towards criminalising and “delegitimising” defenders’ activities, cases of which we have seen in numerous countries, in particular in those countries selected.
PI contributes to reinforcing the security and protection of HRDs by mobilising the national and international community (Parliaments, governments, the UN, ordinary citizens, the media) and by providing the concerned parties and beneficiaries with the knowledge and necessary tools to integrate protection on the ground into work plans and programmes. Its Global Protection Programme aims also at facilitating the exchange of experiences locally and fostering best practices between HRDs.
 

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

Job description
Start : Immediate
Hours : 30h/week
Based in Brussels, with frequent missions in the field.
Within the Programme Direction Unit :

• To be the focal point for the communications between PI and its Protection Desks (PDs) and to ensure proper flows of information from both sides.
• To ensure the development and implementation of programs reflecting the spirit of PI´s mandate and plans through annual strategic planning process and robust monitoring and evaluation systems.
• To follow up and supervise the execution of the work of the PDs in order to achieve the objectives of the yearly work plan (including program contents and reporting, fundraising and accountancy, under the coordination of the financial department for these two elements).
• To provide advice to questions that may arise either by the PDs, our partners, or PI, about the work and objectives and scenarios of the PDs. In case those questions require strategic decisions by PI or PDs or partner, to ensure that those questions are dealt with properly through the communication and decision making processes of PI.
• To help the PDs with the planning process (every year or 6 months) and ensure, together with the PI representative, that those plans are defined in time, with due participation of PDs, Partner and PI. Accordingly, to help and ensure that work reports and evaluations are carried out within specified deadlines.
• To support the PDs and to ensure that a security plan is in place. When determined so, to act as security focal point (with specific responsibilities in terms of speed and level of response in case of emergencies, to be determined on a case by case basis, but it might require to be on duty for specific periods of time - compensated according to PI policies).
• To participate in the elaboration and execution of networking and advocacy plans and activities. It will require the undertaking of advocacy activities, the writing of reports and reviewing policy.
• To support the PDs, if necessary, to arrange main legal, administrative and major logistical needs, as well as to develop working policies (Human resource management to include staff appraisals, legal status, staff contracts, etc).
• To follow up closely the context, situation and scenarios of PDs, especially those events and developments that affect the general context, the human rights situation, and the protection situation of human rights defenders and social movements (including in-country events and international ones).
• To visit regularly (according to working plans, 1-2 times a year) the countries where the PDs are based to have a first-hand knowledge of the work and to meet the PD team, partners and main stakeholders.
• To collaborate with other members of the Unit “Programme Direction” and other PI Units in order to achieve other PI work objectives, if these activities become a priority for PI (and looking for a balance with the pending needs of PDs).
• Reporting to the PI Executive Committee and Board

Qualifications and Experience
Essential
Education and experience :

• University Degree in relevant subject, international law, human rights, humanities.
• Minimum of 4 years overseas experience, with at least 1 year of management experience.
• Programme Management :
• Excellent program management, project planning, reporting, fundraising, budget management and organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proven track record as leadership both team player and a person capable of working on their own often under stressful conditions.
• Strong organizational, oral and written communication, interpersonal and technical writing skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload and manage staff and multiple activities.
• Experience of delivering, evaluating and developing training programmes.
• Clear understanding of equal opportunities.

Advocacy and Networking :

• Understanding of Human rights concepts and law. Thorough knowledge of human rights protection issues.
• Knowledge of and experience in working and coordinating with international and national partner organizations. Proven record of working with defenders’ networks.
• Proven representation and diplomacy skills. Ability to maintain close liaison and coordination with local partner organizations, and other partners and interested stakeholders.
• Proven record of political analysis and ability to formulate policy for duty bearer and other stake holders.
• Highly developed writing and communication skills English and French (Spanish highly appreciated).
• Ability to liaise with Governmental Development Agencies and ensure effective communication.
• Understanding and ability to work with PI Mandate and with the limitations of a small international multicultural NGO.

Desirable

• Experience of working with both international and national media.
• Experience in identifying and prioritizing policy studies, assessments and training opportunities from the local to national level.
• Prior experience of the region distinct advantage. Experience of working in host country/ region/ continent.
• Understanding of regional/ national legal provisions for the protection of human rights.
• Experience of the EU and UN human rights systems and other related regional human rights bodies.

Conditions :

• Contract for one year, with possibility of renewal (6 month probation)
• Hours : 30h/week
• Start : Immediate
• Frequent national and international travels
• Some weekend work and long hours to be expected for which time off in lieu will be given
• Six monthly appraisals with local Protection Officers, Regional Desk Officer and Brussels PD Unit

 
 
Applications will be received in English until 18 of march 2011 by email at the following address :
application-programme protectioninternational.org
Content of the application : CV, cover letter, date of availability, reference letters.
Interviews will take place in march 2011 in Brussels


Protection International aisbl
Rue de la Linière 11
1060 Bruxelles
Tel + 32 2 609 44 05 (or 07)
www.protectionline.org
www.protectioninternational.org