United Against Torture Consortium

The World Organisation Against Torture – OMCT

The World Organisation Against Torture Office in Geneva is seeking to recruit a highly motivated and versatile individual, with a strong commitment to human rights, to coordinate the joint work of the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC), and to develop and implement advocacy actions on anti-torture standards.

The OMCT works with around 200 member organisations which constitute its SOS-Torture Network, to end torture, fight impunity and protect human rights defenders worldwide. Together, we make up the largest global group actively standing up to torture in more than 75 countries. Helping local voices be heard, we support our vital partners in the field and provide direct assistance to victims. Our international secretariat is based in Geneva, with offices in Brussels and Tunis.

Launched on 26 June 2023 in Brussels, the #UnitedAgainstTorture Consortium (UATC) financed by the European Union brings together the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), the International Federation of ACATs (FIACAT), the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Omega Research Foundation and REDRESS. The Consortium combines expertise, capacity, and access to the respective networks of six leading global anti-torture organisations and implements a collective programme of work which is both local and global in reach to strengthen and expand the anti-torture movement. Its coordinator is based at OMCT’s secretariat in Geneva.

Reporting to the Director of the Anti-Torture Programme, the UATC Coordinator coordinates the joint work of the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC) and is OMCT’s focal point when coordinating UATC joint actions with the support of and in coordination with OMCT regional and thematic desks. In the role of Anti-torture Advocacy Adviser, the incumbent develops and implements advocacy actions on anti-torture standards within the framework of OMCT’s global Anti-Torture Programme.

Key responsibilities of the position include:

UATC Coordination (75%)

• Contribute to and represent the UATC in OMCT-wide 4 years’ strategic plan and Annual Plan including setting priorities, balancing short term needs and long-term goals;
• Ensure overall coordination of the joint work of the United Against Torture Consortium (UATC), to ensure that the common goals, objectives, and strategies as contractually set out and as defined by the UATC Board are met.
• Support the rotating Chair of the Board in relation to the Board meetings and ensure effective follow-up including information sharing.
• Support the processes of information flow across UATC organisations, including between the working groups and Board, enabling the implementation of the UATC strategies.
• Be the UATC focal point for OMCT to coordinate within UATC joint actions on the United front priorities and crisis action response, as well as any other joint endeavors and channel the information for action to the relevant programmes and /or regional desks.
• Coordinate the policy development of the UATC on the positioning on the selected collective thematic work by the Consortium: from 2023-2026 on policing and dissent/extra-custodial use of force, including the support of the Torture Free Trade Campaign, and participation in the Protect the Protest Campaign of Amnesty International.
• Establish and convene the UATC Working Group on torture and other ill-treatment in the contexts of protests and other assemblies and coordinate the development of an action plan with this group with the support of the Director of the anti-torture programme.
• Develop relationships with United Against Torture Consortium Partners in the framework of the UATC, OMCT Network members and other ICSOs, CSOs and Networks, experts, and institutions, to further joint global efforts and advocacy.
• Participate and assist with fundraising and support the reporting to the European Union for the UATC in collaboration with the Development team, the Anti-Torture Programme team and regional desks.
• Support the PMEL adviser in the planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning (PMEL) activities within the framework of the UATC, based on OMCT’s PMEL approach.

Anti-Torture Advocacy (25%)

• Contribute to the policy and strategy development of OMCT’s Anti-Torture Programme and further develop anti-torture advocacy.
• Develop and implement advocacy actions including at the Human Rights Council (HRC), the UN Committee against Torture (CAT), and the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) on anti-torture standards within the global anti-torture programme.
• Contribute to the coordination of activities in the framework of OMCT’s formal coordination role of civil society organisations (CSOs) engagement with the CAT.
• Represent OMCT in international meetings, including the HRC, CAT, and the SPT, events, forums as deemed appropriate.
• Proactively share learnings and best practices with the global thematic desks and regional desks as input into future strategy and priorities.
• Actively contribute to effective, productive and engaging collaboration between programmes and regions.

• University degree in law, human rights, international relations, or related field, a postgraduate degree being an asset.
• A minimum of five years relevant work experience in the human rights field at the national and/or international level, preferably with civil society organizations.
• Excellent knowledge of international human rights law and demonstrated knowledge of the UN procedures and regional mechanisms for the protection of human rights.
• Previous work experience on the prohibition of torture. Previous work experience or research on the prohibition of torture in extra-custodial settings, use of force and policing is a strong asset.
• Previous experience in project coordination
• Excellent drafting and editing skills, experience working on reports to the United Nations mechanism and other advocacy submission.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and to adapt to multidisciplinary work in the environment of a multicultural team.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written English. Knowledge of French and Spanish or other languages will be an asset.

• High ethical standards and proven commitment to core human rights principles, the rule of law and social justice causes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain collaborative relationships with people from diverse national and cultural backgrounds, across several time zones.
• Attention to detail: good at paying attention to detail, having a thorough way of working.
• Initiative and motivation: Able to use own initiative and work independently within agreed frameworks; motivated by achieving results and completing tasks and being accountable.
• Organization and prioritization: Strong organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills, enabling efficient and effective work.

OMCT is an equal opportunities employer. We offer competitive salaries for Human Rights NGOs in Geneva with a minimum of 25 days holidays, usual social benefits, and the possibility for part-time working from home, as well as 5 days of paid leave for professional development.

Applications comprising a motivation letter and a CV should be addressed to OMCT International Secretariat with the subject “UATC Coordinator & Advocacy Advisor”, by email to applications@omct.org .

Starting date: as soon as possible

Deadline for the applications: applications must be received by 10 March 2024.