Programme Officer (Protection & training)

Would you like to work with inspiring and often courageous human rights defenders? And would you like to contribute to the protection and support of these important changemakers? Then this might be a great opportunity for you!

Justice & Peace Netherlands is a human rights NGO based in The Hague that has been working to promote respect for human rights, in the Netherlands and internationally, for over 55 years. We believe that local change makers are key to achieving human rights and social justice for everyone, everywhere.

In our Human rights defenders & security programme we aim to enable human rights defenders worldwide to protect and promote human rights in a safer and more effective manner, thereby contributing to a safer and more enabling environment for all human rights work. We provide protection and support to human rights defenders at risk through temporary relocation, such as the Shelter City Initiative, and security training, so that they can continue their work safely, effectively and sustainably, over the longer term.

To temporarily support our team we are looking for a:

Programme Officer (Protection and training)
32 hours, temporary contract (maternity leave cover).
Start date April 1^st 2025, until 31 December 2025

Justice & Peace is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from people who may bring diversity to our team.

What will you do?   

• Coordinate and organize the Shelter City Capacity Building Training weeks summer and autumn edition for human rights defenders at risk, temporary located in the Netherlands. Coordination is both in the content of the programme and in logistical management and evaluation of the training;
• Conduct capacity building intakes, as well as security and risk assessments of the human rights defenders participating in the Shelter City Initiative;
• Provide advice and follow-up on request related to capacity building from human rights defenders at risk, Shelter City alumni, and partners;
• If possible, facilitate part of the Shelter City Capacity Building Training weeks;
• Support the selection process of participants in the Shelter City Netherlands Initiative;
• Support the accompaniment of human rights defenders in the Shelter City Netherlands Initiative, particularly concerning their security;
• Other tasks relevant to Justice & Peace.

What is your profile? 

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in human rights. Experience in working with human rights defenders is considered an asset;
• An academic or University of Applied Sciences level education in a relevant field, such as international human rights, international relations, political science or international law;
• Excellent planning and organization skills. You like to get things done and are creative and resourceful;
• Having experience in operational and digital security and/or capacity building facilitation is a plus;
• Excellent oral and written skills in English. Knowledge of Spanish and/or French is considered a very strong asset;
• Result-oriented, takes initiative, stress resistant, professional, team player, open minded;
• Legal status allowing you to work in the Netherlands immediately. We are unfortunately unable to support you in acquiring this.
  

What we offer: 

• Good and competitive working conditions;
• Full reimbursement of travel expenses to our office building (2^nd class public transport);
• 15% discount on your lunches at Soof cafe;
• Stimulating work environment in a small and dedicated team, where working hard and having fun go hand-in-hand;
• A part-time workplace at our office in The Hague city centre. You are expected to be located in the Netherlands for this position;
• The opportunity to make a real change in the lives of human rights defenders at risk.

Interested?

Send a motivation letter (max. 1 page) and CV (max. 2 pages) before 9 March 2025 to Sebastiaan van der Zwaan, director, via: vacature@justiceandpeace.nl, citing ‘Programme officer’. For more information you can email the above address. We will accept and evaluate applications on a rolling basis, meaning your chances improve significantly if you apply as soon as possible. If we find the right applicant, we may decide to close the vacancy before the deadline.

Important note: Candidates must have a residency permit, work visa, or be a citizen of a European Union country to be able to work in the Netherlands. Candidates must also be able to come to the office in-person at least three days a week, and have a suitable remote working arrangement.