Switzerland: Advocacy & Legal Advisor
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 23 Feb 2014
Advocacy & Legal Advisor
Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT)
www.apt.ch
The Association for the Prevention of Torture is seeking an experienced Advocacy & Legal Advisor to provide advice and support to the APT team and its varied partners to strengthen the efforts to prevent torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
The APT is an independent non-governmental human rights organisation working worldwide for the prevention of torture. See www.apt.ch for further information.
The Advisor will be based in Geneva and will work in close cooperation with thematic advisors and other APT staff. This is a full time permanent position (part time will also be considered).
Main responsibilities include:
Advocate for torture prevention initiatives within United Nations Bodies, in particular the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.
Advocate for torture prevention initiatives at the regional and national levels, as appropriate, in cooperation with regional programme officers.
Develop and implement APT’s anti-torture law initiatives.
Develop materials and deliver training on torture prevention in the context of international law, to a variety of audiences.
Write briefings and commentaries on legal issues related to torture prevention.
Develop cooperation with diplomats, representative of NGOs and relevant UN personnel.
Minimum qualifications:
• A law degree plus an advanced university degree is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years work experience relevant legal experience, including in the administration of justice and/or the prohibition of torture.
• Advocacy experience within UN and/or regional human rights mechanisms and bodies.
• Experience in analysis and application of norms and safeguards related to torture prevention;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French and English (native French-speaker);
• Ability to work well in a team, as well as show initiative and operate autonomously;
• Training and public speaking experience;
• Experience of representing organisation in high level meetings;
• Ability to interact with a wide variety of actors, such as lawyers, judges, civil society, NHRIs, law enforcement officers and government officials;
• Ability to travel internationally;
Additional skills and qualifications (desired but not essential):
• Experience with the judiciary and on administration of justice reform;
• A licence to practice law, ideally in a civil law jurisdiction;
• Experience in visiting and monitoring places of detention;
• Proficiency in Spanish and other UN languages;
How to apply:
Applications should be sent by 23 February 2014, by email to jobs@apt.ch
Applications should contain:
- a motivating letter
- CV
- short writing sample
- contact details of two recent professional referees.
