Belgium: Programme Coordinator (Brussels, Belgium, 38 hours/week)

Protection International (PI)

We are an international not-for-profit organization. It researches strategies and security management tools that protect human rights defenders, and shares its expertise in this area with people at risk due to their human rights work. PI sees human rights defenders as agents of change who form a pillar of free and just societies. In many parts of the world the defence of human rights evokes pressure, threats and attacks from state and non-state actors. PI works with the local human rights movement to develop strategies and programmes prevent and counter such counter pressure. PI tailors its approach to context and profile. It works in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin-America, with presence in Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya, DR Congo, Colombia, Guatemala, and Belgium (head-office).

PI’s mission is three-fold:

•empowering Human Rights Defenders to protect themselves;

•urging state authorities to fulfil their responsibility to protect Human Rights Defenders ;

•encouraging other stakeholders to contribute to protecting Human Rights Defenders, or at least to respect their right to defend human rights.

The team

The Programme Coordinator is part of a team of four people composed by three Programme Coordinators and the Head of the Unit. S/he reports directly to the Head of Programme Coordination and interacts closely with PI Representatives in the field. S/he works from PI’s head office in Brussels with occasional overseas travel.

The role:

The Programme Coordinator oversees PI presence and intervention in a particular region, as follows:

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  Serve as focal point for communication between head office and Protection Desks and ensure effective flows of information to/from PI thematic units.

  
  


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  Ensure the development & implementation of programmes reflecting the spirit of PI’s mission and with due participation of Protection Desk, partners and Head Office.

  
  


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  Support PI annual strategic planning process by overseeing the country planning process and follow up.

  
  


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  Receive and follow up on reports and evaluations carried out by the Protection Desk .

  
  


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  Implement and further develop PI’s monitoring and evaluation systems.

  
  


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  Assist fundraising efforts and develop tailored fund-raising plans for the Protection Desk .

  
  


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  Managing grants (including reporting to donors) and monitoring budget of the Protection Desk in coordination with PI finance Unit.

  
  


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  Ensure that a security plan is in place for the Protection Desk .

  
  


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  Visit regularly the countries where the Protection Desks are based to gain first-hand knowledge of PI’s work.

  
  


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  Support in-country PI representatives in assessing organisational capacity of partners and implementing partnership agreements.

  
  


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  Support the protection desk in the implementation of advocacy and research activities.

  
  


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  General support the operations, if necessary by addressing main legal, administrative, and major logistical requests.

  
  


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  Re-granting to local partners.

  
  

Qualifications:

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  University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Economics or related studies is required;

  
  


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  Minimum five years of relevant work experience in programming, project management and fund-raising preferably with an INGO;

  
  


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  Experience living and working in Asia, Africa and/or Latin-America;

  
  

Required Skills and Knowledge:

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  Excellent communication skills both written and verbal in English is a requirement. Having such skills in Spanish and French a strong asset;

  
  


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  Team-player, ability to multi-task, plan and organise, and ability to work under pressure and against deadlines.

  
  


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  Proven ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners overseas and from different cultural backgrounds;

  
  


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  Sound decision-making in line with functions;

  
  


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  Ability to travel overseas;

  
  


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  Knowledge of and experience working in the field of human rights and with human rights defenders a strong asset.

  
  

The offer:

A one-year, renewable contract with a six months’ probation period, governed by Belgian law. 38 hrs/week under flexible arrangement. Gross annual salary is in the line with the sector, commensurate with skills and experience. Competitive benefits and minimal relocation package.

Candidates need to qualify for a work-permit in Belgium.

How to apply:

PI promotes gender equality and fights all forms of discrimination; we strongly encourage women applicants to apply for this position.

You can send your resume, cover letter and names and contact details of 3 references before 17 July 2016 to the following email: recruitment@protectioninternational.org, making mention of ‘Programme Coordinator’ in the subject line.

Please include your name in the file name of your application documents, e.g. John_Smith_CV.doc. Do not attach any certificates or references at this stage of the recruitment process.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Interviews planned for 28 July. Desired start date: ASAP

Further information about the activities of Protection International can be obtained from www.protectioninternational.org or by contacting Ldemarco@protectioninternational.org.