FULL TIME JOB VACANCY

JOB TITLE: European Union Advocacy Officer (EUAO)

PROGRAM: Arab Regional Advocacy Program (ARAP)

LOCATION: Brussels, Belgium (Brussels Office of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN)

DURATION: 1 year, with possibility of renewal

REMUNERATION: Competitive salary rate for Brussels based non-governmental organizations

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) is seeking well-qualified applicants for the position of a EU Advocacy Officer of the Arab Regional Advocacy Program (ARAP).
The EUAO reports to the Director of the Arab Regional Advocacy Program.

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS):

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) was established in 1993 as a regional NGO dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights. Its mission is to strengthen the human rights movement within the Middle East and North Africa. For more than 20 years, CIHRS has played a unique and central role in identifying and responding to the challenges and needs of this movement and helping to shape its development. CIHRS enjoys consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights. CIHRS has offices in Cairo, Tunis and in Geneva. CIHRS has received numerous awards for its work including the French Republic Award for Human Rights in December 2007, and an award from the Library of Alexandria (2010). CIHRS is also a member of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

The Arab Regional Advocacy Program (ARAP):

· The ARAP is a regional program is designed to increase the ability of human rights actors in the Arab region to achieve positive change by enhancing their campaigning tactics, 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 joint advocacy initiatives. To achieve this the ARAP is currently expanding its country presences in the Arab region and at international forums, and regularly engages with partners at international human rights mechanisms and other international advocacy targets, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, League of Arab States, other multilateral forums, as well as in strategic capitals in the Arab region and around the world.
The mission of the ARAP is to identify, protect and empower Arab human rights actors and strengthen the human rights movement in the Arab region in order to defend and expand public freedoms, with a particular focus on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association.

JOB PURPOSE:

As the EU Advocacy Officer for the ARAP you will become a focal point on EU human rights policy and mechanisms for human rights defenders from throughout the Arab region, and act as a full time advocate at the EU and other international advocacy targets to further the human rights goals of CIHRS and its partners. This will require you to help build the capacities and assist partner organizations and human rights defenders from throughout the Arab region to effectively influence and attain outcomes from international advocacy targets, with a specific focus on the EU mechanisms, and act as the in-house expert at CIHRS on the political, legal and procedural aspects of EU human rights mechanisms.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The full-time EU Advocacy Officer performs advocacy, outreach, training and research duties in the context of the Brussels, as well as other tasks, according to the needs of the organization and its partners. As the EU Advocacy Officer you will be working with a team of co-workers within the Brussels Office of EMHRN, as well as with a larger team of program and CIHRS staff located in multiple countries. Finally you will also be working with partner organizations and human rights activists from throughout the Arab region and around the world to carry out national, regional and global human rights advocacy campaigns and initiatives.

Tasks and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

· Follow and monitor human rights and institutional developments related to the Arab region at the European human rights and politically related instigations;

· Pursue advocacy goals of CIHRS and its partners at the EU and other international advocacy targets (state capitals, EU, etc.) ;

· Produce research and analysis on EU 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 EU mechanisms and officials throughout the year;

· Represent CIHRS in high-level international meetings, strategy sessions, events, trainings etc.

· Advocate and inform government delegations to the EU, governmental ministries, officials of intergovernmental bodies, International, regional and local NGOs and international media personnel year round on important human rights priorities for the Arab region as decided on by the Advisory Board of the ARAP and its partners

· Articulate clear and measurable communication and advocacy objectives, and establish coherent strategies, plans and activities to achieve them;

· Perform media outreach, including the regular use of new mediums of media outreach such as Twitter, the production of press releases, the building of working relations with media outlets and individuals at the European Union and elsewhere, etc;

· Responsible for aiding in the production editing, formatting, and submission of CIHRS and partner communications to the various international human rights mechanisms;

· Provide and/or supervise and ensure logistics associated with the Brussels-based activities of the ARAP and CIHRS;

· Regularly consult and strategize with CIHRS staff and partner organizations to formulate international and national advocacy strategies and goals the reflect the mission of the ARAP;

· Participate in CIHRS and program meetings and retreats to assist in the formulation and creation of organizational and program specific goals, plans and strategies;

REQUIRMENTS:

· A master degree in law or relevant social science field (e.g. Human Rights, Political Science, International Relations, European studies etc.); an academic background in human rights is an asset;

· Very strong understanding EU processes, international politics and international human rights mechanisms; experience engaging with EU strongly preferred;

· Relevant 2-3 years work experience strongly preferred;

· Strong public speaking and presentation skills;

· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic. French skills a strong asset;

· Excellent analytical skills and a strong understanding of the political and social context in the Arab region and the human rights field is expected;

· Ability to formulate and carry out successful human rights advocacy campaigns;

· Demonstrated commitment to universal human rights;

· 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