The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is seeking to recruit a motivated and committed individual for the period from 13 April to 31 December 2026 to replace the holder of the position of Human Rights Adviser Africa during her maternity leave. The place of work is the Geneva office of OMCT.

ABOUT OMCT

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.

The OMCT’s Africa Desk covers 25 countries across West, Central, Great Lakes and Eastern Africa and works with nearly 80 African partner organisations. It supports torture victims and human rights defenders at risk through emergency protection and assistance, while strengthening accountability and access to justice via strategic litigation at national, regional and international levels. The Desk also facilitates and amplifies the participation of African civil society in advocacy before the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) and other UN treaty bodies, ensuring that grassroots evidence informs international human rights mechanisms and contributes to structural reform.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Human Rights Adviser Africa will work under the supervision of the Head of Regional Desk Africa and will implement activities on Africa in close alignment with the global Anti-Torture, Human Rights Defenders (HRD) and Network programmes.

Key responsibilities of the position include:

Africa regional strategy

• Provide input to the Head of Regional Desk Africa and the Directors of global programmes to support the development and articulations of programmatic and regional activities.

Implementation

• Provide support on project implementation, and any other tasks related to the OMCT’s work in the region or at cross-regional level in alignment with the global thematic programs in coordination with Network members and other local partners.
• Provide support to the implementation of human rights defenders' case work, including urgent actions, legal and quasi-legal interventions, press releases and other communications related work, campaigns and trial observations in Africa.
• Provide support to the implementation of the OMCT Torture Index in African countries.
• Provide support to CSOs in the region in their engagement and advocacy with UN bodies, such as the Committee against Torture (CAT), the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT), the Human Rights Committee, the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review, and the special procedures mandate holders, the European Union as well as with other regional human rights bodies, including through the drafting or editing reports, statements and quasi-legal submissions.
• Implement activities in relation to the NGO Briefings before the CAT under the supervision of the Head of the Regional Desk Africa and in coordination with the Director of the Anti-Torture Programme.
• Assist with the coordination of the Litigators’ Group in Africa and other litigation work on migration.
• Assist with and/or implement regional trainings for HRDs and other efforts to build their resilience.
• Assist with the organisation and implementation of, and carry out fact-finding and advocacy missions, roundtables, capacity building activities, workshops, and webinars in coordination with OMCT’s network members and other local partners.
• Support with any other tasks as defined be the head of regional desk Africa.

External Relationships, interface with donors & network partners

• Represent OMCT in international, regional, and national meetings, events, forums as deemed appropriate.
• Actively maintain relationships with regional and national Network members and other partners and experts, institutions to further joint regional efforts and advocacy.
• Support local civil society actors in their engagement and activities with relevant bodies / stakeholders.
• Organize, support and assist in documentation and advocacy actions, and prepare reports and statements to national, regional, or international human rights and other mechanisms as well as, in collaboration with the Communications team, for traditional and social media initiatives.
• Assist with the coordination of the African Women Leadership Initiative Against Torture with the aim to develop and conduct joint regional advocacy activities.
• Support to local civil society actors through financial support aiming at strengthening and sustaining the work of human rights CSOs, including SOS-Torture Network members, as well as better protecting individuals and their relatives that have faced or are facing torture and ill-treatment, threats or any sort of retaliation including because of their commitment to human rights and values.

Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Supports monitoring, reporting and evaluation activities, sharing outcomes, learnings and commitment of next steps with head of regional desk / Directors of programmes.
• Draft activity reports on all implemented activities and contribute to donor reports in collaboration with OMCT’s Development programme.
• Contribute to /support the drafting of project proposals and fundraising activities.

Programme Collaboration

• Demonstrate ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of open communication and shared goals.
• Play a key role in driving successful programme outcomes through active participation, idea-sharing, and constructive feedback within collaborative initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED (training and/or professional experience)

• University degree in law, human rights, international relations, political science, or related field, a post graduate degree being an asset.
• A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the field of human rights at the national and/or international level. Previous relevant work experience in or on Africa would be an asset.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of international human rights law, human rights NGOs, UN procedures, EU institutions and regional mechanisms for the protection of human rights.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French is a must. Knowledge of Arabic would be an important asset.

OTHER COMPETENCIES EXPECTED

• High ethical standards and proven commitment to core human rights principles, the rule of law and social justice causes.
• Excellent research skills with a proven ability to synthesize and condense large amounts of information into succinct formats.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities.
• Ability to adapt to multidisciplinary work in the environment of a multicultural team and to engage with partners in different countries and working in difficult security environments.
• Ability to take initiatives and prioritise.

WHAT WE OFFER

The OMCT is an equal opportunities employer. We offer competitive salaries for Human Rights NGOs based in Geneva.

The range for the monthly gross salary for this post is between 6’500 and 6’900 CHF, with a minimum of 25 days holidays (pro-rata for 8,5 months), usual social benefits, and the possibility for part-time working from home, as well as 5 days of paid leave for professional development (pro-rata).

APPLICATIONS

Applications, including a letter of motivation and a Curriculum Vitae, should be sent to the OMCT's International Secretariat with the subject "Human Rights Adviser Africa", by e-mail to applications@omct.org.

The candidate must hold a valid work permit in Switzerland / the European Union.

Employment rate: 100%

Starting date: 13 April 2026

Duration of the assignment: 8,5 months

Application deadline: Applications must be received by 17 February 2026.