Policy Officer

A human rights organization is dedicated daily to protecting human rights worldwide. The organization believes that everyone has the right to freedom, equality, and justice, regardless of their origin, beliefs, or circumstances. The organization conducts research, takes action, and supports human rights defenders. As a policy officer for anti-racism and strategic litigation, you will contribute to combating racism and discrimination in the Netherlands.

You will translate the organization's theory of change into concrete projects with an effective combination of (innovative) interventions such as research, policy influencing, movement building, public campaigns, and legal procedures. You will be responsible for human rights research within this theme and for the substantive quality of the organization's positions and publications.

Additionally, you will prepare and guide strategic procedures and advise colleagues on the use of strategic litigation in other policy areas. You will work with colleagues on projects that contribute to the multi-year strategy.

What you will do.

• You will monitor social and political developments relevant to racialized communities and advise the organization broadly on its engagement and position.
• You will identify opportunities for strategic legal procedures related to various human rights themes and organize their preparation and execution.
• You will build sustainable collaboration with rights-holder organizations and maintain contacts with other relevant stakeholders, such as lawyers, researchers, and representatives of government organizations.
• You will translate the multi-year strategy into engaging projects that contribute to reducing racism and discrimination.
• You will coordinate the necessary human rights research and partly conduct it yourself.
• You will guide fellow policy officers and inspire and advise colleagues from other teams.
• You will initiate innovative approaches and seek internal and external support for these.

What they ask

• More than five years of work experience as a human rights lawyer in the field of non-discrimination, including experience with (strategic) legal procedures.
• A completed legal master's degree with a specialization in human rights and/or non-discrimination law, or a legal background with demonstrably equivalent work and thinking level.
• A good network within rights-holder organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Proficient in developing and implementing effective intervention strategies, including legal procedures.
• Extensive experience with strategy development and project management.
• Demonstrable experience with conducting and managing human rights research.
• Experience and enjoyment in guiding, motivating, and connecting colleagues.
• Professional proficiency in Dutch and English.
• Recognition of the agreed-upon values: reliability, equality, respect, and passion.