ACAT Nederland

WORLD ORGANISATION AGAINST TORTURE (OMCT)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Secretary-General of the Organisation

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the largest international coalition of non-governmental organisations fighting against torture, summary executions, forced disappearance and all other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, is currently seeking to recruit its next Secretary-General to succeed its current Secretary-General, who will retire in August 2011. The new Secretary-General will work together with the incumbent for one year to ensure a smooth transition, during which he/she will function as the second officer of the Organisation.
The successful candidate will be expected to take up his/her duties on 1 September 2010.

Qualifications
• A post-graduate university degree in Law, preferably specialising in Human Rights and/or
   International Humanitarian Law.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in at least two of the three working languages
   of OMCT (English, French and Spanish).

Expertise and competence
• Extensive managerial experience in running an international/regional NGO Secretariat and
   excellent knowledge of the principal international and regional human rights NGOs.
• Excellent capacity to adapt to an international team and to work with partners from various cultures.
• Extensive experience in fundraising and administration of grants.
• Extensive working knowledge of international human rights law and standards.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in the field of human rights, in
   particular in protecting persons at risk of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
   punishment.
• Good knowledge of the international and regional legal frameworks and case law relevant to the
   prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; fair trial;
   compensation and rehabilitation of victims; prosecution and punishment of perpetrators, as well as
   of the institutional mandates of the United Nations or other international or regional organisations in
   the area of human rights.
• Ability to conduct both academic and field research required to conduct fact-finding missions.
• Extensive experience in critical analysis of information and data, in order to define strategies for
   action in collaboration with field partners.
• Experience in interacting with victims of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
   punishment.
• Experience in advocacy and in interacting with governmental and other authorities in the field of
   defence of victims and negotiating the implementation of standards; excellent diplomatic skills.
• Awareness of the particular vulnerabilities of specific groups (e.g. women, children, human rights
   defenders and socially marginalised populations) who face a heightened risk of torture and other
   cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Experience in handling cases of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
   punishment before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies would also be an asset.
• Willingness and ability to act urgently on cases or situations requiring immediate attention.

Duration of the mandate of the Secretary-General is four years, with one extension. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the regulations and salary scale of the Administration of the Canton of Geneva.

Applications (cover letter, résumé and salary history) for this position should be sent to the OMCT International Secretariat, attention Ms. Halima Dekhissi, by email to hd@omct.org or by fax to +41/22.809.49.29.

Closing date for applications: 31 May 2010.