Protection Officer, Civic Space Protection (Tunisia/EU), Brussels (80%)

ABOUT OMCT

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is the world's largest coalition actively working to end torture, combat impunity and protect human rights defenders. It works with some 200 member organizations grouped together in the SOS-Torture Network, present in over 75 countries. The OMCT's international secretariat is based in Geneva, with regional offices in Brussels and Tunis. The OMCT amplifies local voices, supports its partners in the field and provides direct assistance to victims.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The person recruited will play a key liaison role between the Tunis and Brussels offices to ensure the coherence of protection and advocacy actions in favor of civil society and human rights defenders in Tunisia. Under the supervision of the Director of the Human Rights Defenders Program, and in close collaboration with the Tunis-based team, s/he will ensure smooth integration of information stemming from direct assistance into advocacy initiatives carried out from both offices, in order to ensure overall coherence and avoid any duplication. S/he will contribute to the development and implementation of an advocacy strategy on the protection of civic space in Tunisia with European institutions and in coordination with other Brussels-based civil society actors.

Key responsibilities of the position include:

Advocacy with the European Union (75%)

• Support the development and implementation of the advocacy strategy on the protection of civic space, targeting European Union institutions;
• Plan advocacy activities and the organization of relevant events on Tunisia;
• Contribute to the drafting of political analysis, communication and positioning notes, based on general trends or individual cases, with a view to feeding advocacy actions (including OBS communications, feeding the SOS defenders platform);
• Identify joint advocacy actions on protection issues with Brussels-based CSOs;
• Ensure regular monitoring of European Union political dynamics, and analyze their impact on civic space, human rights defenders and the protection of communities in vulnerable situations;
• Identify advocacy targets and allies (Parliament, Commission, Council/Permanent Representation, NGOs, other institutions, etc.) and help maintain relations on issues concerning Tunisia;
• Contribute to the program's strategic thinking on the protection of human rights defenders within the OMCT;
• Liaise with OMCT teams to ensure the best possible collaboration with beneficiaries, including support of partners during advocacy missions to Brussels;
• Contribute actively to inter-office knowledge sharing and turn lessons learned into lasting organizational improvements.

Grants award coordination Brussels-Tunis (25%)

• In coordination with the Institutional Support Officer in Tunis, support the teams in charge of grants in the evaluation of support requests and ensure smooth coordination of activities, in order to avoid any duplication of support and contribute to a coherent grants award strategy between the two offices;

• Contribute to the design, needs identification, planning and implementation of capacity-building activities for human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Tunisia;

• Facilitate exchange on best practices with regard to the protection of HRDs within grants award teams;

• Coordinate with PDEU consortium members on support to CSOs and HRDs.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED (training and/or professional experience)

• University degree in international law, political science, international relations or project management;

• Between 2 and 5 years' experience in a similar position, particularly in the field of influencing public policy, advocacy, civil society support or CSO campaign coordination;

• Proven experience with or within European Union institutions;

• Strong capacity for strategic thinking, analysis and synthesis, including the ability to map complex dynamics, rapidly assimilate new themes and effectively direct research;

• Excellent knowledge of the workings of European Union institutions, their decision-making cycles and entry points for advocacy actions;

• Experience of working in Tunisia or the MENA region, with good knowledge of the local political context and civil society actors active in the region;

• Excellent command of French and English (oral and written); fluency in Arabic is a strong asset.

OTHER COMPETENCIES EXPECTED

• High ethical standards and a proven commitment to the fundamental principles of human rights, the rule of law and the causes of social justice.

• Articulate, creative, passionate, dynamic, solution-oriented and flexible.

• Personal and professional integrity, self-motivation and proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team and to provide help, assistance and support to colleagues.

• Strong ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Organization and prioritization: Strong organizational, prioritization and time management skills, enabling you to work effectively and efficiently.

• Ability to adapt to multidisciplinary work in a multicultural team environment and to engage with partners in different countries and work in challenging security environments.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, positive attitude, high level of rigor and attention to detail, autonomy and initiative, curiosity and innovative spirit.

WHAT WE OFFER

The OMCT is an equal opportunity employer.

Based on a 100% salary, the gross annual salary for this position is between 38’400 and 41’400 EURO, depending on the profile. The OMCT offers a minimum of 20 days' vacation from the first year of employment, the usual benefits, including luncheon vouchers, and the possibility of teleworking. Salary, vacation entitlement and benefits will be prorated to the workload (80%).

The OMCT will also provide a full induction process, including a stay at the Tunis and Geneva offices to familiarize oneself with OMCT's tools, processes, projects, etc.

Initially, the position is limited to 12 months, renewable subject to availability of funds.

APPLICATIONS

Applications including a letter of motivation and a Curriculum Vitae should be sent to the OMCT's International Secretariat with the subject "Protection Officer (Tunisia/UE)", by e-mail to applications@omct.org.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take a written test which, if successful, will lead to an interview with the recruitment panel.

The candidate must hold a valid work permit in the European Union.

Starting date: September 1, 2025

Application deadline: Applications must be received by 3 August, 2025.