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European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism Head of Secretariat 23 August 2015
Head of Secretariat; EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism deadline for applications
The consortium of NGOs who have won the contract to deliver the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism are seeking to recruit an experienced manager to run the Secretariat of the Mechanism in Brussels and to ensure coordination of the implementation of the project and all related financial and narrative reporting. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person with strong communication skills who will play a crucial role in the successful Implementation of this groundbreaking project. The successful candidate will have at least five years experience of successfully managing the implementation of complex projects, ideally EU funded projects; will have experience of coordination and liaison with diverse partners and stakeholders; will have strong financial management skills; will have excellent oral and written English language skills and either French or Spanish; and will have an understanding of the security and protection of human rights defenders around the world. A consortium of 12 international NGOs have won the contract to establish and implement a EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism, funded by the European Commission's Directorate General for Development Cooperation. The members of the Consortium are: Front Line Defenders, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Network (ESCR-Net), International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA), Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (UAF), Protection International, Peace Brigades International (PBI), Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF), Forum Asia and East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP). Front Line Defenders, RSF, OMCT and FIDH will form the Board of the Consortium. In order to implement the EU HRD Mechanism the Board will recruit an independent Secretariat for the project which will be managed by a Head of Secretariat and will count with four other staff members. The EU HRD Mechanism (exact name tbc) will begin operations on 1st October 2015 with a contract for 36 months. The management of the tasks by the HoS will play a central role in the implementation of the project. We are looking for a dynamic person, experienced in running such type of projects, preferably in the field of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). The ideal candidate will have no less than 5 years of relevant experience, preferably with the EU Commission and hold a university degree in a relevant HRs domain. She/he will have a proven record of communication skills with political relevant bodies having in mind the confidentiality of the information to be dealt with. Perfect knowledge of English and either French or Spanish is essential. The successful candidate will be expected to start work on 1st October 2015. The initial contract will be for 36 months with a gross annual salary of €55,600.
Head of Secretariat
Tasks & General Responsibilities: The HoS will report directly to the Chair of the Board of the EU Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders. She/He will work under the supervision and management of this board with the assistance of the personnel employed for the purposes of consortium coordination: he/she coordinates effectively all elements of the Mechanism so as to help deliver the commitments of the consortium in an efficient, effective and economical manner; provides overall representation of, and coordination between, member partners; ensures liaison with EU Commission, EEAS, EP and other external actors; manages the Secretariat and its staff.
Strategic Management:
ensures the overall coordination of the HRD mechanism, drafting coordinated plans for each sector of activity and regularly updating them, following input from relevant consortium members participating in each sector of activity. prepares the plans in close coordination with the Board, so as to ensure their smooth approval by the Board and ensures they are communicated to all members; Identifies strategic opportunities for sharing out of the workload among consortium members; facilitates strategic coordination and reflection among members; Reports to the Consortium members on activities, especially the fulfilment of project objectives, and the early warning of areas and activities needing strengthening; Oversees the technical, administrative and financial reporting; ensures follow-up with members to ensure that the programme is fully designed and implemented according to the approved programme proposal and in accordance with the requirements of the EC; Coordinates the monitoring, review, evaluation and sharing of lessons learnt from the activities of consortium members to support the achievement of outcomes and impact including through the coordination of an annual series of meetings with partners and beneficiaries in Brussels together with other relevant actors supporting HRDs (National Human Rights Institutions, regional mechanisms, etc).; Explores the scope for further possible partnerships between the Consortium and other stakeholders as appropriate for the effective implementation of the project. Makes proposals to the Board to maximise the value, impact, organisation, scope of the Consortium and of the programme; Develops and maintains relationships with key actors (DEVCO, EU institutions, Member States as appropriate, other NGOs, participants in the Shelter Programme and other relevant stakeholders...); Represents and communicates Mechanism activities to EU Commission in particular through a weekly coordination meeting with DG DEVCO, reporting back on the outcomes; oversees communications; Provides secretariat support to the Mechanism Board for its monthly and quarterly meetings; makes recommendations to the Board (and, following Board approval) to consortium members for changes to Mechanism and consortium procedures, systems and processes.
Consortium Secretariat Management:
Oversees effective coordination and implementation of the programme and ensures compliance of all Consortium Members with EC rules and regulations; manages all staff employed in the Secretariat, supervises and supports them to ensure that the team fulfil their responsibilities; Monitors and reviews performance of partners and staff, holding partners accountable for meeting the success criteria and delivering any improvement goals which have been identified; giving corrective feedback where required and taking decisive action in the case of poor performance; Supports the virtual convening of the steering groups by 'sector', under the respective chairs' leadership; Facilitates twice-yearly Consortium meetings (Project Managers from each Consortium partner) and enables an effective cooperation culture across partners;
Finance and Budget
Is responsible for overall financial oversight and implementation of the consortium budget working closely with Financial Officer to ensure appropriate control and compliance in overall financial management with specific focus on grants and sub-grants management; Upon mandate of the Board, conducts any activity necessary to ensure the success of the programme, including visits to monitor Consortium Members' activities on all aspects of the programme, including financial implementation; Supports the virtual convening of the steering groups by 'sector', under the respective chairs' leadership; Facilitates twice-yearly Consortium meetings (Project Managers from each Consortium partner) and enables an effective cooperation culture across partners; Provides secretariat support to the Mechanism Board for its monthly and quarterly meetings; makes recommendations to the Board (and, following Board approval) to consortium members for changes to Mechanism and consortium procedures, systems and processes.
Overview of the EU HRD Mechanism
Objective Human rights defenders at high risk and facing the most difficult situations in third countries, and the local actors who strive to promote and defend them, are supported by means of a worldwide, stable, comprehensive and gender-sensitive EU mechanism. The Consortium is an initiative of the European Commission's Directorate General for Development Cooperation Union, which through a call for proposals, has selected a civil society driven initiative to establish and implement an EU Human Rights Defenders
Mechanism. It is composed of 12 international NGOs that are known for their experience and expertise in the protection of human rights defenders worldwide : Front Line Defenders, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Network (ESCR-Net), International Gay and Lesbian Association (ILGA), Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights (UAF), Protection International, Peace Brigades International (PBI), Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF), Forum Asia and East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP). It is managed by a board, which is composed of Front Line Defenders, RSF, OMCT and FIDH to which the head of the Secretariat will respond to. Over a period of 36 months the consortium will deliver the following activities, outputs and results with a particular focus on HRDs working in the most difficult countries and/or those who are particularly targeted including women human rights defenders, defenders of LGBTI rights, land rights and environmental rights defenders, HRDs defending the rights of indigenous peoples, minorities, people with disabilities, migrants and stateless persons, trade unionists promoting labour rights, lawyers, journalists, bloggers and others promoting fundamental freedoms, and HRDs challenging violations of economic, social and cultural rights.
Support to HRDs in the field The Mechanism will deliver a faster and permanent EU response to support HRDs including through a 24/7 helpline and emergency grants ensuring that HRDs can access and implement urgent security measures to protect themselves, their family and their work. An EU temporary relocation programme will be established and HRDs at risk will be able to relocate inside their country, in the region or in Europe in case of urgent threat. HRD organisations have the means to implement activities adapted to changing local developments in order to advance a human rights agenda or to counter violations (including contesting laws, restrictions, sanctions and administrative provisions restricting their work).
Training, monitoring and advocacy HRDs will receive support with capacity building including with regard to security and protection, digital security, stress management and financial and organisational management. The EU, the international community, other NGOs, the media and the public are more knowledgeable on the situation of HRDs collectively and individually. Intergovernmental institutions, international, regional and national human rights Mechanisms, influential states take action on individual cases and on legal, political and administrative provisions affecting HRDs;
Coordination and synergies HRDs can better network and coordinate between themselves and with EU and international organisations and the coordination between HRDs initiatives and actors supported by the EIDHR is strengthened and there is greater sharing of lessons.
Outreach and visibility The EU Mechanism will be promoted in such a way that it has high visibility and HRDs who are less well connected are able to access practical support. The HRD Mechanism will ensure the security of communications and information with regard to beneficiaries who may be at additional risk because of international support.
Applications Applications comprising a CV with at least two references and a cover letter should be sent by email to recruit@frontlinedefenders.org by Sunday 23rd August. Interviews will be held on the 9th of September in Brussels.
Front Line Defenders EU Office Square Marie-Louise 72 B-1000 Brussels Tel: +32 2 230 93 83 Fax: +32 2 230 00 28 Email: euoffice@frontlinedefenders.org Website: www.frontlinedefenders.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/FrontLineDefenders Twitter: www.twitter.com/FrontLineHRD and www.twitter.com/FLDBrussels Subscribe to our email distribution list: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/secure/act-now.en.html
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