International Advocacy Officer - Brussels Office - Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)

Organization: Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
Location: Brussels, Belgium (Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies – Brussels Office)
Position: International Advocacy Officer
Unit: Arab Regional Advocacy Program (ARAP)
Starting Date: Immediate
Job Type: Full Time
Contract: One year (renewable)
Salary: Salaries are determined based on the employee’s position on the wage scale.

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) is seeking well-qualified applicants for the position of an International Advocacy Officer (IAO) for the Arab Regional Advocacy Program (ARAP). The IAO reports to the Senior EU Advocacy Representative of the Brussels Office of CIHRS, under the overall direction of the Senior Director for Advocacy.

This position will entail performing regular, high-level advocacy directed towards EU bodies and EU member state governments in Brussels and national capitals. The position will have a particular focus on expanding CIHRS’ advocacy outreach within media outlets and online, targeting global, European and Arab media. Candidates with a background and strong networks in the field of journalism, and/or with a proven record of accessing traditional and new media, are encouraged to apply.

Who we are

CIHRS is a unique organization that has demonstrated its credibility in the field of human rights and democracy since its inception in 1993. During the many political storms that have come, passed and remain ongoing throughout the MENA region, CIHRS has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to stand above the politics of national interest groups. As a growing and increasingly influential organization, CIHRS remains resolutely committed to its core principles of respect for human rights and justice.

CIHRS and its partners from across the MENA region have contributed to numerous successful international advocacy initiatives. Among many achievements, these advocacy efforts have succeeded in pressuring national governments to modify or halt legislation that threatens freedom of assembly and association, and in mobilizing powerful international organizations such as the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to take strong stances on repressive governments violating the basic rights of their citizens.

As a regional organization deeply embedded within the human rights movement in MENA, CIHRS both fosters strong connections with civil society organizations on the ground and effectively engages with major players in the international community. Through decades of activism, engagement and monitoring of regional and global politics, CIHRS has gradually increased its institutional capacity and international reach, largely through the establishment of CIHRS offices in Europe and North Africa. Given its strategic operational setup and broad range of partnerships across the world, CIHRS has a distinctive ability to connect local human rights violations in MENA to global security and stability concerns.

Mission Statement

CIHRS advocates for human rights and democracy across the MENA region. Through the elevation of local voices, CIHRS contributes to the building of sustainable, prosperous, and peaceful societies.

Objectives

To protect public space and advocate for democratic practices across the MENA region, CIHRS aims to engage and encourage interest-driven actors to respect human rights, justice and accountability.

The Arab Regional Advocacy Program (ARAP):

The ARAP is designed to increase the ability of human rights actors in the Arab region to achieve positive change by building and sustaining cooperative platforms of solidarity and action, with a specific emphasis on creating synergy between national, regional and international advocacy and influence. This is achieved through a partner based process that involves research, capacity building, network creation and sustained, targeted advocacy initiatives. To achieve this the ARAP regularly engages with international partners to influence advocacy targets including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, other multilateral forums, as well as in capitals in the Arab region and around the world.

Position description

As International Advocacy Officer for the ARAP you will become a leading international campaigner on human rights in the Arab region, and work full time through both advocacy, and conducting outreach and liaison with the media to advance the human rights goals of CIHRS and its partners. This will require you to help build capacities and assist partner organizations and human rights defenders from throughout the Arab region to achieve outcomes from international advocacy.

The International Advocacy Officer (BO) performs advocacy, outreach, and research duties in the context of the European Union, national capitals and other advocacy targets, as well as other tasks, according to the needs of the organization. The International Advocacy Officer will also focus on expanding CIHRS’ outreach and impact with international media outlets and online. As the International Advocacy Officer you will be working as part of a team of co-workers located in multiple countries. You will be working with partner organizations and human rights activists from the Arab region and around the world to carry out national, regional and global human rights advocacy campaigns and initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Regularly monitor and engage on human rights and institutional developments at EU and other advocacy targets as required in order to assist in the formulation and implementation of effective human rights advocacy campaigns.
Engage in human rights advocacy year-round with officials within EU institutions, governments, multilateral institutions and other relevant actors such as intergovernmental bodies, international, regional or local NGOs, and international media personnel, on important human rights priorities for the Arab region. Specific focus will be on priority countries in the Arab region as decided on by CIHRS.
Formulate and execute a plan to expand and strengthen the ability of CIHRS to create influential and systematic relations with leading international, regional and national media outlets/individuals with a view to ensuring stronger media coverage of the human rights goals and priorities of CIHRS and its partners:
- Perform media outreach, including the regular use of online media platforms, the production of press releases, the building of working relations with media outlets and individuals.
- Build and maintain an up-to-date network and database of relevant journalists, media professionals and media outlets.
- Assist and/or help train relevant CIHRS staff and partners to build their capacities within the areas of media strategy and outreach.
Assist in the production of research and analysis on international human rights policy and developments when required.
Provide training, support and assistance to partner organizations in the Arab region in their work and relations with international mechanisms and officials throughout the year.
Represent CIHRS in high-level international meetings, strategy sessions, events, trainings.
Articulate clear and measurable advocacy objectives in cooperation with colleagues, and establish coherent strategies, plans and activities to achieve them.
Assist in the production, editing, formatting, and submission of CIHRS and partner communications to the various international advocacy targets.
Assist and/or supervise logistical arrangements associated with the activities of the ARAP and CIHRS when required.
Regularly consult and strategize with CIHRS staff and partner organizations to formulate international and national advocacy strategies and goals that reflect the mission of CIHRS.
Participate in CIHRS program meetings to assist in the formulation and creation of organizational and program specific goals, plans and strategies.
Ensure your activity reporting and other donor obligations are satisfied.
Assist in the recruitment and management of interns who will assist you in your mission and goals.

Eligibility criteria

It is highly desirable that the successful applicant has or can demonstrate:

An advanced degree in a relevant social field (e.g. Political Science, International Relations, Media studies, Law etc.), an academic background or education related to human rights is an asset. Relevant work or volunteer experience in the human rights field will also be taken into consideration.
Minimum 3 years working experience (full-time), either in the human rights or media fields on the MENA region or on humanitarian and human rights issues; previous experience in international advocacy and/or work at a media organization is a strong asset.
Proven commitment to universal human rights and/or humanitarian issues.
Experience engaging with and building advocacy campaigns directed at multilateral bodies and governments preferred.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and fluency in Arabic highly preferred, knowledge of French, German or other European languages are assets.
Excellent analytical skills and a strong understanding of the political and social context in the Arab region and the human rights field required.
Strong public speaking and presentational skills.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly, work extra hours (sometimes during weekends), work well under pressure and adapt to emerging issues and changing priorities.
The ability to work both as part of a team and to be individually motivated and organized;
Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Willingness to take on new and challenging tasks and goals.

Conditions

1-year contract subject to a 3-month probation period. Renewal subject to funding.
Commencement: Immediate
Working hours: Full time – 40 hours/week
Based: Brussels, Belgium (Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies – Brussels Office)

Commitment to Equality

CIHRS is committed to ensuring equality and non-discrimination on grounds of sex, race, religion or belief in its hiring process. CIHRS is a multicultural environment that celebrates diversity. All employees are expected to promote and act in a manner that ensures a non-discriminatory, open and sensitive approach to others from different backgrounds and cultures.

How to Apply

Please submit your full application by sending a motivation letter containing two references with email and phone contact information and an updated CV to recruitments@cihrs.org
Please indicate clearly your availability in the motivation letter.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please indicate which position is being applied for in the subject line of the email.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
For any query on this position please e-mail recruitments@cihrs.org
The deadline for applications is October 12^th, 2019 at 23:59 Belgium time.