European Network of National Human Rights Institutions is looking for a Human Rights Trainee

Application deadline: 30 December 2024, 23:59 CET

About ENNHRI

ENNHRI is the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions. We gather over 40 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) across Europe to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights. Our network offers a platform for collaboration and solidarity in addressing human rights challenges and a common voice for NHRIs at the European level.

At ENNHRI, we work to:

• Strengthen NHRIs by facilitating the exchange of information and good practices and organising capacity-building activities for NHRIs to address human rights and rule of law.

• Support NHRIs with their compliance with the UN Paris Principles during their establishment, accreditation and when they come under threat.

• Connect NHRIs to European institutions by facilitating their engagement with regional mechanisms, raising their visibility and intervening on regional legal and policy developments.

We are an international not-for-profit association under Belgian law, with a Permanent Secretariat based in Brussels, Belgium.

We are looking for two Human Rights Trainees to join our team for six months, starting from February 2025.

The candidates will play an important role in ENNHRI’s daily work and will be a part of our Human Rights Team.

Main duties and tasks

Providing support to ENNHRI’s work in relation to its first core objective of ENNHRI’s strategic plan, including support on:

• The establishment of NHRIs across Europe;

• ENNHRI’s role in the international process for accreditation of NHRIs in Europe;

• Supporting NHRIs at risk / facing threats and addressing common challenges to strengthen NHRI resilience;

• Assisting in providing support to stakeholders on NHRI’s mandate, in accordance with the UN Paris Principles and other documents of reference;

• Supporting the work of ENNHRI’s members on key human rights topics, especially:

  • rule of law;

  • Implementation of regional human rights conventions and ENNHRI’s legal work;

  • Civic space and human rights defenders; and

  • Climate

• Potential support to facilitating members work on migration, rights of persons with disabilities and human rights of older persons.

• Supporting NHRIs and ENNHRI participation in and effective contribution to regional human rights mechanisms including by providing support to ENNHRI’s work in relation to NHRI standard-setting, strategic planning and thematic advocacy at regional level.

The division of areas of work between trainees will be determined taking into account the needs of ENNHRI’s Secretariat and the indicated interest of the trainees/candidates.

Indicative tasks include:

• Conducting background research; drafting of papers, reports and other written materials; collecting, compiling and analysing information;

• Monitoring relevant EU and European developments and policy and advocacy work in the field of human rights in Europe;

• Where appropriate, representing ENNHRI and attending (online) meetings with NHRIs and a wide range of European actors;

• Supporting preparation of online and in-person meetings

• Drafting content for newsletters, website and social media;

• General administrative tasks including contact and database management, information requests and other membership-related activities.

Required criteria

• A first experience or sound knowledge of human rights and the related legal and policy frameworks in Europe;

• Demonstrated interest in working with and understanding NHRIs in Europe;

• Excellent research and drafting skills: initial experience conducting research on human rights and drafting articles, reports, statements, etc.

• Professional working level of English;

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Excellent organisational skills;

• Ability to work both in a team and on own initiative.

Desirable criteria

• A first experience or sound knowledge of the work of NHRIs in Europe;

• Experience working for a membership organisation;

• Experience working in an international environment;

• Experience organising meetings, events, web-meetings and webinars;

• Additional language skills.

Terms of employment

The traineeship will be offered for 6 months, starting from February 2025. The traineeship is full-time and will be carried out at the ENNHRI Secretariat office in Brussels, where a teleworking policy applies.

ENNHRI will provide the candidate with a Belgian traineeship contract (“Convention d’immersion professionnelle”) with a remuneration of € 1450 / month, and monthly STIB (public transport) pass.

How to apply

To apply, please fill out the application form and attach your CV in PDF format (max. 2 pages, in English).

Deadline: 30 December 2024 (23:59 CET).

Candidates are encouraged to indicate the areas of work they are most interested in focusing on as part of their traineeship.

ENNHRI is an equal opportunity employer.