Deadline: January 20, 2017
Applications are now accepted for the 2017 Learning Exchange at the United Nations. CIVICUS is offering one learning exchange opportunity for an African based individual to be based and involved with activities at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland. This opportunity is sponsored by Irish Aid, focused on Strengthening the Voice of African Civil Society and human rights defenders in the international human rights system.
The opportunity is time based, starting on the 27th Feb 2017 – 27th May 2017
This opportunity serves to:
- Familiarise the candidate with the United Nations system and bring information pertaining to African civil society to the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, and Special Procedures, (Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of Special Procedures);
- Assist in the preparation of reports or statements and help to coordinate engagement during the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council, 27 February – 24 March, the 119th session of the Human Rights Committee, 6 – 29 March, and the 27th UPR session, 1 – 12 May; and
- Assist to organise side meetings for CIVICUS and partners with relevant officials from the OHCHR, particular Officers supporting the Special Rapporteurs, Governments with permanent missions in Geneva and NGO partners with permanent representatives in Geneva.
Benefits
Accommodation in Geneva, round trip airfare and a stipend of €600 a month to cover living costs.
Eligibility
CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world. They strive to promote marginalised voices, especially from the Global South, and have members in more than 170 countries throughout the world. Since 1993, they have been dedicated to enhancing the rights, freedoms, health and vitality of civil society as a whole. They’re also a global team, using new technologies to connect us around the world. We’re passionate about what we do. They share links to provocative articles and talk about what they mean to us. The highlight of our week is having an impassioned conversation with an activist or social change group about what’s happing in the world around us.
- We work for civil society, protecting and growing `civic space’ – the freedoms of expression, association and assembly – that allow citizens and organisations to speak out, organise and take action.
- We monitor, research and analyse global events and trends that impact civil society.
- We strengthen civil society by bringing it together to generate and share knowledge, to improve its working and to act collectively.
- We work to ensure that civil society voices are heard. To achieve impact we communicate, campaign and advocate.
Requirements
- A degree in Human Rights, International Affairs or a related field;
- Experience of working with human rights community in one or more African countries and a thorough knowledge of regional human rights issues within Africa;
- Fluency in English is essential, French would be an advantage;
- Demonstrated professionalism, diplomatic skills and analytical diligence;
- Willingness to travel to Geneva for three months.
Application
To apply, please submit:
- A motivational letter;
- A detailed CV; and
- Contact details of three current references.
To [email protected] by 20th January 2017.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not have heard from us within 2 weeks after your application, please consider your application as being unsuccessful.
For more information, visit CIVICUS Learning Exchange.
