| OMCT_HRD Internship description 2 pages / 119 KB |
INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROGRAMME
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the largest international coalition of non governmental organisations fighting against torture, summary executions, forced disappearance and all other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, is currently seeking to recruit ONE INTERN for its Human Rights Defenders Programme.
Location: OMCT International Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland
Internship period: The position should be filled as soon as possible, for a minimum 4 months.
Please note that internships are not remunerated. Schedule can be flexible and would be agreed between the supervisor and the intern.
information about the hosting organisation
Created in 1985, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is today the main international coalition of NGOs fighting against torture, summary executions, enforced disappearances and all other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. With 297 affiliated organisations in its SOS-Torture Network, OMCT is the most important network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for the protection and the promotion of human rights in the world.
OMCT’s International Secretariat is headquartered in Geneva and has offices in Brussels and Tunis. OMCT helps members of its SOS-Torture Network protect victims and human rights defenders across the world, fight against impunity and change legislative and judiciary systems to stop Governments and individuals from resorting to such practices. OMCT offers direct assistance and protection to victims of torture and human rights defenders in imminent danger, advocates the implementation of the International Convention Against Torture in particular before inter-governmental agencies in Geneva, submits individual communications and alternative reports to the United Nations (UN) Special Mechanisms, trains civil society representatives and State officials, and actively collaborates in the respect, development and strengthening of international norms for the protection of human rights.
Through its Human Rights Defenders Programme, including through the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a joint OMCT-FIDH partnership), OMCT provides and ensures effective protection for human rights defenders. It bases its action on the conviction that solidarity with and among human rights defenders and their organisations ensures that their voice is being heard and their isolation and marginalisation broken. It responds to threats and acts of reprisals 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 be performed by the intern during the internship
Based in Geneva, the incumbent will work under the supervision of the Director of OMCT Human Rights Defenders Programme / the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. The intern will under the guidance of experienced staff at OMCT implement a variety of diverse tasks on projects of the Human Rights Defenders Programme, providing a unique and challenging opportunity of learning about concrete human rights advocacy for those defending human rights often at risk.
Activities of the position include:
- To assist in the drafting of urgent interventions on individual cases and other advocacy interventions on cases or legal developments affecting human rights defenders (in English, French and/or Spanish).
- To assist with the drafting, editing and the translation of OMCT’s briefings in its programmatic areas, publications and submissions to UN and regional human rights mechanisms.
- To attend meetings and sessions of UN human rights mechanisms and assist with OMCT advocacy activities for an effective policy for the protection of human rights defenders.
- To assist with the organisation of seminars, trainings and conferences.
- To assist with the organisation of field missions.
- To translate documents.
- To assist with other activities on human rights defenders and on the prevention of torture in support to OMCT Geneva office.
qualifications required
- University degree in law, international relations, political or social sciences or related field.
- Good knowledge and understanding of international human rights law, human rights NGOs, UN procedures, EU institutions and regional mechanisms for the protection of human rights.
- Demonstrated commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
- Good drafting and editing skills.
- Ability to work under pressure to deadlines and to adapt to multidisciplinary work in the environment of a multicultural team.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in two of the following languages (English, French or Spanish) with working knowledge in the remaining language.
applications
- Applications for this position should be sent to: dr@omct.org
- Please send a cover letter and a resume
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
For more information on OMCT, please visit our website: www.omct.org and http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/