BACKGROUND

The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) is a coalition of six national and regional organizations from all parts of the world with an office in Geneva, Switzerland that has been advocating for the advancement of human rights in relation to gender and sexuality in the UN human rights system since 2006.

The SRI aims to advance sexual rights (broadly defined) as a particular set of rights and as a crosscutting issue within international law, in the work of the UN human rights system - the Human Rights Council, special procedures, Universal Periodic Review and UN human rights treaty bodies. The SRI’s approach is grounded in intersectional feminist and decolonial analysis.

ADVOCACY ADVISOR – TREATY BODIES

Working closely with the SRI coalition partners and as part of the SRI Geneva-based team, the key objective of this role is to advance human rights related to sexuality, gender and reproduction through work with relevant treaty bodies. In doing so, the Advocacy Advisor will ensure that the diversity of SRI coalition partners’ work and analysis is reflected in the work undertaken and will bring visibility to the work of SRI coalition partners as relevant and appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Treaty Bodies 

Working closely with SRI coalition partners and as part of the SRI Geneva-based team and reporting to the Manager of the SRI Office in Geneva, the Advocacy Advisor – Treaty Bodies will assume the following responsibilities:

1. Serve as a point of contact in Geneva for the SRI on all treaty body related matters and coordinate SRI partners and SRI Geneva team engagement with the treaty body system;
2. Identify strategic entry points, develop and execute advocacy strategies for the advancement of sexual rights in the work of the treaty bodies including through normative development and national review processes;
3. Undertake research related to the treaty bodies including research that will inform strategy and tactics in relation to the treaty bodies and specific themes; and research that shows national impact of treaty body work;
4. Identify and collaborate with national and other NGOs to draft and submit shadow reports to relevant treaty bodies, conduct related advocacy with treaty body members and support any follow up activities;
5. Develop and deliver seminars, trainings and briefings to relevant audiences including include permanent missions, special procedures, treaty body members and NGOs;
6. Organize side events at treaty body sessions on key sexual rights issues;
7. Prepare internal and external communication materials including treaty body newsletters, information on opportunities, developments and initiatives of the treaty bodies, and coordinate with communications staff to ensure dissemination of external communication;
8. Prepare advocacy materials including written submissions, resolution mark-ups, fact sheets, statements, position papers and options papers;
9. Build strong relationships with treaty body members and secretariat;
10. Develop strong working relationships with the SRI coalition partners and bring attention to the structure of the SRI as a coalition of national and regional organisations;
11. Serve as the focal point for #EmptyChairs Campaign on treaty bodies and support the implementation of the campaign in treaty body processes and spaces.

SRI Teamwork

All members of the SRI team in Geneva are expected to work collaboratively, to ensure strong communication and linkages between the SRI’s streams of work and partners, and to actively support the achievement of the SRI’s strategic goals as determined by the SRI partner organisations.

1. Serve as a focal point for Latin American and Caribbean region  - including by contributing information and contacts from the region to inform SRI’s work; and serve as a focal point on general SRI / partner engagement for that region;
2. Support SRI partners’ and Geneva-based team’s work on the other UN HR mechanisms and any other SRI projects;
3. Monitor and report to SRI partners and Geneva-based team on developments, opportunities, initiatives, and emerging trends in the international human rights system;
4. Represent the SRI on relevant external panels, committees and meetings;
5. Develop relationships with key stakeholders at global and national levels, including relevant UN Agencies, Permanent Missions, UN Experts and NGOs
6. Develop and contribute to public communications from the SRI to different audiences;
7. Contribute to the development and maintenance of SRI digital tools;
8. Assist in the development of funding proposals and other fundraising activities
9. Collaborate with national NGOs to develop and support advocacy plans for  engagement in the international human rights system;
10. Prepare regular activity reports for SRI partners and donors;
11. Participate in SRI Geneva-based team meetings and SRI partner meetings;
12. Perform other duties as required.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong understanding and articulation of feminist principles and perspectives, sexual rights, intersectionality and de-colonial social justice movements;
• Demonstrated knowledge of international human rights mechanisms, (particularly human rights treaty bodies) and instruments and how to use them to advance sexual rights and national accountability;
• Excellent writing, analytical and persuasive skills in English and Spanish;
• French or another UN official language considered an asset;
• Flexible and adaptive, able to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances;
• Commitment to working as part of a diverse and participatory team;
• Enjoy working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders;
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with people from a range of national and cultural contexts;
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise work effectively;
• Strategic thinking, sound judgement and a very clear and focused approach;
• Sensitivity and a strong capacity for confidentiality, tact, discretion and diplomacy.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in legal/policy analysis and advocacy on human rights related to sexuality, reproduction and gender;
• A minimum of 3 years working with a national or regional feminist civil society organisation in Latin America and the Caribbean;
• A degree in a related field such as: Women’s/Gender Studies, Political Science, Human Rights, Law (an advanced degree would be considered an asset);
• Experience drafting shadow reports, UN submissions, policy papers, and advocacy materials;
• Experience working in coalition with diverse stakeholders to achieve a common goal;
• Experience developing and executing successful advocacy strategies to advance sexual rights at the national, regional and/or international level;
• Experience working with UN and government officials;
• Experience providing training and briefings to a range of audiences.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send a cover letter, CV and 3 references to jobs@srigeneva.com with subject line “SRI Advocacy Advisor – Treaty Bodies” by 17h00 Geneva time on 1 April 2022.

Please also include where you heard about this opportunity in the body of your email.

Interviews will be conducted in April and the position will commence as soon as possible thereafter.

LOCATION AND SALARY

This position will be based out of the SRI Geneva office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Preference will be given to candidates who are based in Switzerland with a valid work permit.

Interviews may be conducted either in-person, or by Zoom, depending on the location of the candidate and COVID restrictions at the time of interview.

This is a full-time position. Salary is CHF 80,000 to CHF 90,000 annually plus benefits.