JOB DESCRIPTION
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT
JOB TITLE Advocate United Nations, Grade 4
PROGRAMME International Advocacy Team, Research and Advocacy Programme
LOCATION Geneva
JOB PURPOSE
The Advocate contributes to the advocacy work of the Programme so that Amnesty International's human rights research, advocacy positions, concerns and recommendations are effectively promoted with United Nations (UN) experts, states and other relevant actors in selected intergovernmental (IGO) forums and thereby enabling effective follow-through and implementation. It includes operationalising advocacy strategy with relevant IGOs, providing advice, drafting and coordinating submissions and briefings, and establishing productive working relations with Amnesty staff and membership.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
The International Advocacy Team is part of the Research and Advocacy Programme, which sits in the Research, Advocacy and Policy (RAP) Directorate. This Programme's purpose is to achieve two inter-related objectives: leading and coordinating Amnesty International's advocacy engagements and strengthening the organization's capacity to conduct investigative human rights research and produce high quality outputs. The Programme brings integration and synergy between Amnesty's advocacy and research functions to achieve human rights impact and to ensure the organization's research is informed by advocacy strategies and vice versa.
The purpose of Amnesty's work with the UN and other IGOs is to ensure that our positions, concerns and recommendations are effectively communicated to IGO actors and are reflected in their actions and decisions. This work is led by the International Advocacy Team and falls into three main categories:
- To hold states accountable for the full and effective implementation of their human rights obligations and commitments at the national, regional, and international levels so that all persons can enjoy the full range of their human rights;
- To promote the development, adoption and implementation of international human rights norms and standards that will contribute to ending, redressing and preventing human rights violations; and
- To help build the most effective international bodies, structures, and processes to prevent, address and end human rights violations.
AIIS PURPOSE
The IS, which operates from a number of sites around the world, gathers and communicates accurate and action-oriented human rights information globally. We campaign for meaningful human rights change; enable effective human rights activism and work to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights standards. We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the Amnesty movement globally, fostering Amnesty's contribution, presence and public accountability throughout the world.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Reporting to Deputy Director of Advocacy
Other key relationships IS staff, in particular other members of the International Advocacy Team, Amnesty sections and networks, non-governmental organisations (NGO) partners and coalitions, governments, and IGO officials. The position requires close coordination and collaboration with other members of the International Advocacy Team conducting advocacy in Geneva and with Geneva-based IGOs.
USEFUL INFORMATION
The post is a 12-month fixed-term contract.
In accordance with Amnesty's family friendly policy, flexible working arrangements can be agreed with line managers. Working arrangements will be discussed and depend on the current guidance with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Contributes to monitoring and analyzing developments in the UN's Human Rights Council, and other human rights mechanisms, as well as OHCHR and other Geneva-based IGOs as required and provides support in reporting key developments to the IS and the Movement to enable effective and well-informed advocacy.
- Contributes to the development, implementation and evaluation of Amnesty international advocacy across regional and country strategic priorities at relevant Geneva-based IGOs, with a view to promoting and protecting human rights.
- Supports the conceptualisation of international advocacy opportunities and imperatives at relevant Geneva-based IGOs, and contributes to developing and informing strategies for advocacy for targeted regions and countries, with a view to improving the effectiveness of the UN and other IGOs in promoting and protecting human rights.
- Contributes to delivery of strategies and campaigns to improve the effectiveness of selected Geneva-based IGOs in promoting and protecting human rights.
- Supports the production of UN advocacy requests and advocacy materials in relation to Geneva-based IGOs, to ensure that they protect and promote human rights on targeted strategic issues and in targeted states as well as dissemination as appropriate.
- Supports the collation and organisation of international advocacy priority needs and issues from regions and countries in formats and approaches required and/or appropriate to each IGO's mandate and working methods.
- Keeps up-to-date with advocacy opportunities and the calendar of the selected Geneva-based IGOs, and supports planning with IS staff and Sections, as well as civil society and other allies, on how best to take advantage of such opportunities, in order to advance Amnesty International's strategic plans for the protection and promotion of human rights
- Contributes to the management of the cycle (or wheel) of advocacy interventions at selected Geneva-based IGOs, in particular through drafting or supporting the production of advocacy briefs; developing strategic partnerships with relevant civil society actors such as NGOs, HRDs; lobbying of relevant policymakers; support for the collation of normative outcomes from advocacy exercises; and for the implementation of follow-up processes on outcomes.
- Contributes, as needed, to delivery of training and capacity building events and programmes on international advocacy for IS and movement staff and members
- Delivers advocacy advice, plans, materials, and results on strategic priorities in geographical regions, and with respect to other institutions beyond the Human Rights Council, as agreed from time to time.
- Conducts administrative tasks, specifically to support advocacy outcomes and ensure the smooth functioning of the office.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN THIS JOB?
- Demonstrable input into the timely development and implementation of effective, consistent and coherent advocacy strategies with regard to the UN and other IGOs to further the realization of Amnesty objectives.
- Demonstrable contribution to clear analysis of UN and other IGOs' policies, trends and developments and provision of advice to IS and Movement colleagues so that they are well informed of relevant advocacy opportunities and are able to utilize these effectively in their work to protect human rights.
- Well-written documents with strategic and targeted recommendations for action by governments, UN and IGO bodies and mechanisms and civil society to protect human rights in line with Amnesty priorities.
- Effective participation in meetings of strategic importance to Amnesty.
- Effective lobbying of UN officials and others leading to action by these aimed at realizing Amnesty objectives.
- Good working relationships with IS and movement colleagues and strategic partnerships with other NGOs leading to effective action on Amnesty priorities.
- Demonstrable contribution to effective training programmes leading to improved competencies in advocacy, particularly towards IGOs.
- Effective planning, implementation and reporting of activities to deliver Amnesty priorities within budget.Smooth functioning of the office, effective management of administrative tasks, relating to advocacy outcomes.
- Effective management of administrative tasks related to the smooth functioning of the office and in support of advocacy outcomes.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Significant experience working with IGOs, including the UN, for example as part of civil society or as an IGO staff member
- Relevant university level education. A graduate degree or equivalent in law, communications, political science, international relations or other relevant fields.
- A sound understanding of the role of multilaterally-sourced norms and standards, advocacy action, diplomatic pressure, and UN accountability mechanisms, in protecting and promoting human rights.
- Knowledge of UN institutional processes and mandates as they relate to the protection and promotion of human rights, including of the working relationship between the Human Rights Council and the rest of the UN human rights machinery.
- A solid understanding of the role of regional and multi-lateral IGOs other than the UN, and of the practical ways in which their mandates relate to the UN human rights machinery.
- Demonstrable experience of IGO advocacy.
- Good knowledge of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
- Good knowledge of international relations, in particular how they impact on human rights.
- Ability to identify and exploit the opportunities within Geneva-based IGOs to pursue Amnesty's objectives and goals and to analyze implications for current plans.
- Ability to analyze complex IGO issues and develop a strategic response, including under pressure, and to plan and prioritize work to ensure deadlines are met.
- Ability to represent Amnesty externally, including with government representatives, in IGO and NGO meetings.
- Excellent ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to develop project plans consistent with organizational strategies and priorities, to monitor these and evaluate outcomes;
- Ability to work cooperatively with others including with people from different backgrounds.
HOW WE WORK – OUR BEHAVIOURS:
Our organisational culture; which essentially represents how we behave, our working relationships and our ability to collaborate as a movement, underpins everything we do and is pivotal to the success of our impact. Our five behaviours form the basis of the type of culture we want to have in Amnesty:
- Accountable - I consistently strive to reach my goals in a thorough, timely way that I can be proud of, and I re-empower others to do the same.
- Considerate - I support my colleagues, and try to find out what motivates them to do their best, and what pressures they are under, so that I can consider this when we work together.
- Creative - I continuously look for new and creative solutions and encourage others' ideas so that we can adapt and succeed in an ever-changing and uncertain global environment
- Decisive - I make sound judgements within my work so that a project or activity can progress with pace and confidence.
- Respectful - I treat my colleagues with equality and dignity, and assume they have integrity. I value the different perspectives of my colleagues as well as my own and show them that their contributions and expertise matter.
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with Amnesty International's principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed.