ISHR recruiting a new Director

22.11.2007

International Service for Human Rights

VACANCY NOTICE: DIRECTOR

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), a highly regarded international human rights non-governmental organisation, is seeking a new director to lead it and head its secretariat.

ISHR is an international non-governmental organisation based in Geneva, at the heart of the United Nations (UN) human rights system, with a small branch office in New York. It was founded in 1984 to empower human rights defenders and human rights organisations worldwide to access and use human rights mechanisms at international, regional and national levels. It provides relevant and useful information, training, policy advice, systemic advocacy and support to human rights organisations, defenders and activists, and national and international human rights institutions in relation to UN, regional, and national human rights developments, standards, procedures and mechanisms. It conducts its programs in Geneva and in its identified priority regions, including the Great Lakes and West Africa, Israel, Palestine, and South East Asia.

Job description:

The director of ISHR leads and manages the organisation on behalf of the Board. The position is a challenging one that requires a very high level of knowledge of and experience in the international human rights system, a proven commitment to human rights, the ability to lead and nurture a team of talented, committed human rights professionals, and strategic and visionary thinking to identify and respond to emerging needs in the field of international human rights promotion and protection.

The director will:

- lead a strong organisation with a sense of purpose and leadership in the field of promotion and protection of human rights

- lead and coordinate the overall implementation of ISHR's work in Geneva and New York and at regional and national levels

- develop and promote the strategic and policy framework within which ISHR should conduct its activities

- promote ISHR's vision and programmes with national, international, and intergovernmental human rights organisations and national and regional human rights institutions

- develop partnerships and networking, coordination and cooperation with other nongovernmental organisations and a range of stakeholders in the regions to maximise the contribution of ISHR and its partners to human rights programmes

- develop and consolidate ISHR's outreach and coordination activities among the community of Geneva- and New York-based organisations and beyond

- guide and supervise a fund-raising strategy to ensure long-term financial sustainability of the organisation

- ensure the overall efficient use and deployment of financial resources as well as the effective administration of an organisation with a budget of around three million Swiss francs, and

- motivate, manage and instil strong cohesive values among a team of 35 committed human rights professionals in the Geneva headquarters and New York Office.

Qualifications and experience

The director should have:

- proven experience in organisational management over at least 10 years, including playing a senior management role for at least 5 years

- extensive experience, over at least 10 years, and advanced conceptual knowledge of human rights issues at both national and international levels, with thorough understanding of the United Nations' human rights framework and developments, especially in relation to the United Nations Human Rights Council and the human rights treaty monitoring bodies

- successful experience in the development of human rights-focused initiatives and programmes that serve the needs of organisations and activists

- knowledge, understanding and experience in the non-governmental sector and of dealing with non-governmental organisations, inter-governmental organisations and governments

- proven ability in providing innovative leadership, including team building, staff motivation and staff development

- highly developed inter-personal and communications skills and excellent analytical and diplomatic skills

- proven financial, administrative and organisational abilities, including the implementation of measures to improve overall financial and administrative management, with responsibility for the management of significant financial resources, and

- fluency in English (both spoken and written) and preferably working knowledge of a second UN language (preferably Arabic, French or Spanish).

Deadline for applications: 31 December 2007.

Starting date: 1 March 2008 or as soon as possible after that.

ISHR is an equal opportunity employer. As an international organisation with a global mandate, it welcomes applications from people in all regions. Relocation assistance will be provided if required.

ISHR offers a salary that is highly competitive in the Geneva human rights non-governmental sector. It is negotiable, depending upon qualifications, prior experience and other relevant matters.

All applications (cover letter + CV) should be sent to: director@ishr.ch

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and interviews will take place on 25 and 26 January 2008.