Regional Human Rights Officer for Africa

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is seeking to recruit a committed, energetic and diligent individual as Regional Human Rights Officer for Africa to lead the implementation of the OMCT’s detention reform activities in the region.

This is a full-time position and the initial contract duration will be of up to 15 months (until 30 June 2022). Pending additional funding and strong work outputs, the contract may be considered for extension.

The post will be open in Africa – taken present sanitary conditions in home office or depending on location within an OMCT partner organisation office.

ABOUT OMCT

Created in 1985, and with over 200-member organisations in its SOS-Torture Network, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is today the largest coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) fighting against torture, summary executions, forced disappearances and all other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment around the world. OMCT’s International Secretariat is based in Geneva and it has offices in Brussels and Tunis.

The OMCT is recruiting a new post to coordinate the implementation of regional activities part of a global project to support civil society addressing torture and health risks in detention during the Covid-19 pandemic. The incumbent will work as an integrated part of a project team under the supervision of the Regional Human Rights Advisor for Africa and in coordination with the directors of OMCT’s Anti Torture and Human Rights Defenders Programmes.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively support and engage in the implementation in Africa of OMCTs advocacy and partner support to improve detention conditions and respect for the absolute prohibition of torture, including through prison monitoring, advocacy on prisoner’s release, and the collection of authoritative information, and campaigns for release and policy reform.
• Support local civil society actors through subgrants for country partners and engagement with detention authorities in policy reforms to increase human rights and health protections during the Pandemic.
• Organize, support and assist in documentation and advocacy actions, and prepare reports and statements to national, regional, or international human rights and other mechanisms as well as for traditional and social media initiatives.
• Support and conduct fact finding, data-gathering on HRDs in detention, and advocacy campaigns for their release or better detention conditions;
• Represent the OMCT at national and regional meetings or events related to relevant issues or themes.
• Provide support on project implementation and reporting and any other tasks related to the OMCT’s work in the region or at cross-regional level relevant to the OMCT’s strategy and mandate as may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• University degree in human rights, international relations, law, political science, or related field, and a related master or post graduate degree an asset.
• A minimum of five years relevant work experience in human rights, project implementation and reporting at the regional level in Africa or at international, preferably with civil society organizations.
• Excellent knowledge of human rights is critical, and a demonstrated knowledge on detention, policing and criminal justice issues are an asset. Good knowledge about regional and international human rights systems an important asset.
• Excellent oral and written language skill in French is required, with strong skills and drafting capacity in English an important asset.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• High ethical standards and proven commitment to core human rights principles relating to the fight against torture and particularly with regards to the protection of prisoners and the protection of children, women, and any and all vulnerable persons or communities both inside and outside of the OMCT and its Network.
• Highly organized with a strong ability to identify relevant tasks, build consensus with colleagues, and ability to prepare, implement, and build on / follow up on activities to achieve outcomes and results.
• Good interpersonal, networking, and communication skills are highly valued, strong communication skills to support local civil society actors and relevant government agencies.
• Ability to adapt to multidisciplinary work in the environment of a multicultural team and to engage with partners in different countries and working in difficult security environments.
• Good social media knowledge and skills are an asset, as are experience in project management and reporting.
• Ability to travel – depending on sanitary conditions – within the region.