Executive Officer,(ESCR) for Amnesty International

Deadline: 8 July 2012
Open to: Individuals with MA or equivalent in a relevant field (HR, law, politics, development, European studies, etc), having at least two years’ relevant work experience
Remuneration: Not specified

Description

Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office (EIO) is looking for an Executive Officer, Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (ESCR) to join their team from 1 October 2012 to 14 April 2013 as maternity leave cover. The post-holder is responsible for implementing AI’s EU-level lobbying and advocacy strategy on ESCR and the Demand Dignity campaign. Pursuing the objective that human rights should be integrated and targeted in all EU activities and laws, the job-holder will assess EU initiatives for lobbying opportunities and develop AI positions along with the organisation’s international secretariat and national offices. The job’s main focus is on business and human rights, fighting discrimination against Roma, and ending forced evictions. They are looking for a specialist in ESCR, corporate accountability and EU policy, who enjoys translating EU contexts into advocacy for Amnesty International’s global movement, and who can interact with key decision-makers on behalf of the organisation.

Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• Policy

Work with all other parts of Amnesty International and the EIO team to develop policy positions targeting the EU on ESCR/Demand Dignity campaign areas including:

1. Standard-setting for corporate respect for human rights, particularly due diligence
2. Access to remedy for human rights abuse by business
3. Access to and enforceability of rights linked to discrimination against vulnerable groups and social exclusion, particularly Roma

• Management

1. Successful delivery of EIO commitments under the European operational plan
2. Maintain excellent relations and strategic coherence with EIO team and staff in national offices and the international secretariat, partner organisations, and EU and member states’ officials
3. Supervise trainees
4. Contribute to strategic planning of EU work
5. Prepare and run training sessions

• Implementation

(a) Co-ordination, Monitoring and Advocacy

1. Monitor and analyse EU developments in ESCR/Demand Dignity campaign-related areas
2. Write and edit policy papers and communications targeting EU policy-makers, including: policy reports, briefings for decision-makers, letters, discussion documents, operational guidance documents, and press articles
3. Represent AI in media in areas of expertise
4. Reviewing and advising on recommendations to the EU in AI reports on ESCR-related areas
5. Writing short monthly updates for AI’s networks on developments in the EU on ESCR-related files
6. Coordinate key messages and EU lobbying in AI network, translating priorities into opportunities for influencing EU decision-makers

(b) Networking

1. Act as AI liaison with European Roma Policy Coalition, coordinating AI’s positions and contribution to EU strategy on Roma inclusion
2. Continue and expand work with key contacts in EU institutions
3. Continue work as focal point for AI on European Investment Bank which includes:

– Maintain a general awareness and expertise on EIB’s role
– Coordinating AI work including advocacy and campaigning EIB
– Reviewing and advising on recommendations to EIB in AI reports on extractives and energy

1. Design and organise programme events and policy meetings
2. Represent Amnesty International and act as spokesperson for AI’s concerns at conferences and other meetings, as directed
3. Network with other organisations working in areas of interest; establish and maintain collaborative activities and strategic alliances to implement joint activities

(c) Implementing the European dimension of the Demand Dignity campaign

1. Work with all other parts of Amnesty International and the EIO team to implement the targeted European strategy for the Demand Dignity campaign which focuses on corporate accountability, development assistance and discrimination linked to poverty. This includes:
2. Transmitting AI work on specific areas (eg Roma discrimination, maternal mortality, slums and economic actors) to EU decision-makers
3. Supporting and coordinating sections’ work on EU lobbying on key messages in AI’s Demand Dignity campaign
4. Identifying and monitoring opportunities for influencing specific policies within target institutions
5. Developing proposals for new strategic targets

Eligibility

Skill requirements:

1. Experience and knowledge

• At least two years’ relevant work experience
• Knowledge of International Human Rights standards, continuously updated
• Knowledge of the international developments on business and human rights and/or Roma integration at EU level
• Proven expertise in EU policy
• MA or equivalent in a relevant field (HR, law, politics, development, European studies, etc)
• Experience with media an asset

2. Skills

• Excellent communication, networking, and inter-personal skills
• Knowledge of international work environment and inter-cultural communications
• Strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Political savvy and ability to be pragmatic and diplomatic with a range of actors within and beyond Amnesty International
• Proven excellence in writing and editing in English. Fluency in at least one other EU language
• Strong computer skills

3. Personal Qualities

• Innovative and independent worker who loves to contribute to the overall team goals, taking responsibility for own work area
• Ability to work in a small team, share information and contribute to all sorts of minor tasks done in a NGO office
• Managing all relationships within and outside EIO constructively, diplomatically and with discretion, maintaining a good sense of humour
• Capacity to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Willingness to travel occasionally

Application

Please fill in the application form on our website http://www.amnesty.eu/ and send it to searchcommittee@amnesty.eu no later than 8 July 2012. Interviews will be held on 24 and 25 July 2012 in Brussels. No CVs are accepted.

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