Internship Announcement - OMCT Human Rights Defenders Programme

INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROGRAMME

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), thelargest international coalition of non governmental organisations fightingagainst torture, summary executions, forced disappearance and all other formsof cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, is currently seeking to recruit ONEINTERN for its Human Rights Defenders Programme.

Location: OMCT International Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland

Internshipperiod: The position should be filled as soon as possible, fora minimum 4 months.

Please note that internships are not remunerated. Schedule can be flexible and would be agreedbetween the supervisor and the intern.

information about thehosting organisation

Created in 1985, the WorldOrganisation Against Torture (OMCT) is today the main international coalitionof NGOs fighting against torture, summary executions, enforced disappearancesand all other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. With297 affiliated organisations in its SOS-Torture Network, OMCT is the mostimportant network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for theprotection and the promotion of human rights in the world.

OMCT’s International Secretariat is headquarteredin Geneva and has offices in Brussels and Tunis. OMCT helps members of its SOS-Torture Network protect victims andhuman rights defenders across the world, fight against impunity and change legislative and judiciary systems to stopGovernments and individuals from resorting to such practices. OMCT offersdirect assistance and protection to victims of torture and human rightsdefenders in imminent danger, advocates the implementation of the InternationalConvention Against Torture in particular before inter-governmental agencies inGeneva, submits individual communications and alternative reports to theUnited Nations (UN) Special Mechanisms, trainscivil society representatives and State officials, and activelycollaborates in the respect, development and strengthening of internationalnorms for the protection of human rights.

Throughits Human Rights Defenders Programme,including through the Observatoryfor the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint OMCT-FIDH partnership), OMCTprovides and ensures effective protection for human rights defenders. It bases its action on the conviction thatsolidarity with and among human rights defenders and their organisations ensuresthat their voice is being heard and their isolation and marginalisation broken. It responds to threats and acts ofreprisals suffered by human rights defenders by implementing a comprehensive protection strategy incorporating elements of early-warning, prevention,advocacy, joint-coordination, outreach, and direct assistance.

tasks to beperformed by the intern during the internship

Based in Geneva, the incumbent will workunder the supervision of the Director of OMCT Human Rights Defenders Programme/ the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. The intern willunder the guidance of experienced staff at OMCT implement a variety of diversetasks on projects of the Human Rights Defenders Programme, providing a uniqueand challenging opportunity of learning about concrete human rights advocacyfor those defending human rights often at risk.

Activities of the position include:

- To assist in the drafting of urgent interventions onindividual cases and other advocacy interventions on cases or legaldevelopments affecting human rights defenders (in English, French and/orSpanish).

- To assist with the drafting, editing and thetranslation of OMCT’s briefings in its programmatic areas, publications andsubmissions to UN and regional human rights mechanisms.

- To attend meetings and sessions of UN human rightsmechanisms and assist with OMCT advocacy activities for an effectivepolicy for the protection of human rights defenders.

- To assist with the organisation of seminars, trainingsand conferences.

- To assist with the organisation of field missions.

- To translate documents.

- To assist with other activities on human rightsdefenders and on the prevention of torture in support to OMCT Geneva office.

qualificationsrequired

- University degree in law, international relations,political or social sciences or related field.

- Good knowledge and understanding of internationalhuman rights law, human rights NGOs, UN procedures, EU institutions andregional mechanisms for the protection of human rights.

- Demonstrated commitment to human rights and the ruleof law.

- Good drafting and editing skills.

- Ability to work under pressure to deadlines and toadapt to multidisciplinary work in the environment of a multicultural team.

- Good interpersonal and communication skills.

- Excellent oral and written communication skills in twoof the following languages (English, French or Spanish) with working knowledgein the remaining language.

applications

- Applications for thisposition should be sent to: dr@omct.org

- Please send a cover letterand a resume

- Only short-listedcandidates will be contacted for interviews.

For more information on OMCT, please visit ourwebsite: www.omct.org and http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/