Back Programme Officer – Human Rights Defenders team

Justice and Peace Netherlands is a human rights organisation based in The Hague that has been working to promote respect for human rights, in the Netherlands and internationally, for over 50 years. We believe that local change makers are key to achieving human rights and social justice for everyone, everywhere. Our work focuses on empowering citizens and professionals who stand up for justice and equality, freedom of expression, rights of refugees or a healthy environment. We support human rights defenders at risk worldwide by offering them tailormade temporary relocation programmes in the growing network of Shelter Cities. We are also dedicated to developing the community sponsorship movement Samen Hier to connect and empower local citizens networks to welcome refugees in their midst to safely start a new life.

Shelter City was founded by Justice & Peace in 2012 as part of our Human Rights Defenders programme. Today, Shelter City is a global movement of cities, organisations and people who stand side by side with human rights defenders at risk. We offer them a safe and inspiring space where they re-energise, receive tailormade support and engage with allies to reinforce their local actions for change. So far, more than 120 human rights defenders have stayed in one of the 12 Shelter Cities in the Netherlands. While in temporary relocation, defenders follow a personalised programme that includes a series of trainings organised by Justice & Peace. After their return, we continue supporting Shelter City alumni by connecting them to the larger Shelter City alumni community.

For our Human Rights Defenders team, we are looking for a:

Programme Officer – Human Rights Defenders Team 32 hours per week, from September 2021 to December 2022 (16 months, with the possibility of extension)

Your activities:

• Design and organise trainings on security and protection for human rights defenders within our Shelter City programme;
• Support defenders throughout their stay in the Netherlands with your knowledge of safety and security in the human rights field;
• Support Shelter City alumni by building and coordinating the online community with creative and innovative activities and ideas;
• Support the programme with relevant project management tasks (project development, evaluation, reporting, etc.);
• Organise a broad range of events as part of the Shelter City programme, such as outreach events throughout the Netherlands and the annual International Shelter City Workshop;
• Stay informed about the latest developments regarding security and protection in the field of human rights, and more specifically human rights defenders.

Your profile:

Having worked in the Global South in the field of human rights, you have a thorough understanding of the security challenges human rights defenders face and how to mitigate risks. Your enthusiasm for human rights issues translates into a hands-on and creative approach. You like to take initiative and are not afraid to try new things, engaging and mobilising people. You are a natural organiser who can work independently but also thrives in a team and you enjoy working with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Requirements:

• You have an academic or University of Applied Sciences level education in a relevant field, such as international human rights, international relations, political science, or international law;
• You have at least 3-5 years of relevant work experience in the field of human rights, of which a considerable part international field experience;
• You have experience working on security and protection within the human rights field, preferably related to human rights defenders;
• You have experience organising events, workshops and trainings (both online and offline) and online community building;
• You are proficient in English. Additional languages such as French, Spanish, Russian, Swahili or Arabic are an asset.

What we offer:

• Stimulating work environment in a small and dedicated team, where working hard and having fun go hand-in-hand.
• Good and competitive working conditions.
• Full reimbursement of travel expenses to our office building (2nd class public transport).
• A part-time workplace at our office in The Hague city centre.

Justice and Peace is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from people who may bring diversity to our team.