Job Announcement

Position:  International Human Rights Officer (HRO)

Organization:  Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI)

Work Type: Full-time
Location:  Global – DPI encourages people from developing countries to apply
Closing Date: 20/04/2011

Established as Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) in 1981, DPI has grown as a global cross-disability network of 134 National Assemblies (member organizations) of persons with disabilities, with more membership under consideration.  DPI supports persons with disabilities around the world in their efforts to realize their human rights.  We do this by promoting the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspect of their community and by encouraging the equalization of opportunities and thereby, outcomes for persons with disabilities. 

DPI invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced people to fill the above position. Ideally, a person with a disability assumes this position and therefore DPI encourages people with a disability to apply for the position.

Role of the International Human Rights Officer

The International Human Rights Officer of DPI employment contract will be for 2 years, commencing immediately, and  may be extended to an additional term.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Given the overall goals and objectives for this post it is envisioned that DPIs new Human Rights Officer (HRO) will need to operate “geographically,” that is to say, displaying a readiness to be responsive as conditions change and opportunities arise, and maintaining an inter-disciplinary network of contacts who can provide information about relevant environments and be a diverse source of potential partners for collaboration.  This does not imply that the HRO would work without a defined methodology and plan.  The following represents initial ideas for such a plan, identifying general activities as well as the first steps of a phased approach.  It is understood that the current funding will support the HRO for a period of 2 years - but a key assumption is that the work over that period will generate funds for the continuation of the position for the foreseeable future.

Goal

To carry out DPI Human Rights Defenders objectives, DPI seeks to strengthen its capacity to engage the disability and larger human rights communities through the hiring of a full-time human rights staff person.  A human rights officer will assist DPI in meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well developing and fostering human rights partnerships with disability organizations, governments, UN agencies such as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, National Human Rights Institutions, and mainstream NGO human rights organizations.

General Objectives

·        Enhance capacity of Disabled Peoples International select countries to monitor the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). 

·        Support DPOs to strengthen their ability to effectively promote their rights, issues and needs regarding the rights of people with disabilities.

·        Increased awareness and greater engagement of people with disabilities with respect to their rights.

·        Increased influence of people with disabilities and disabled people’s organizations in communities and public decision-making tables.

·        Support the selected countries to become better equipped to participate in promoting rights at the national level.  

·        Work with DPI’s regional development offices to develop strategies to promote the inclusion of disabilities in national plans.

·        Supporting the development of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) and Universal Periodic Reviews  (UPR)

·        Develop educational tools, such as fact sheets workshops, campaign materials, etc. as needed  to develop awareness of human rights and disability issues

·        Develop analysis and produce documents to support the participation of DPI officers in the High Level meetings with International and National Institutions

·        Present DPI as a strong global disability grassroots organization

Workplan

DPI will develop a workplan to be followed diligently by the incumbent, outlining the phases of the project, and providing a general framework for activities.

Qualifications

The incumbent shall have

·        Strong awareness of international human rights issues related to disability

·        Knowledge of the Human Rights laws

·        Knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and other international treaties

·        Fluent speaking/writing skills in English, preferably speaking skills in French and Spanish as well, although not mandatory

·        Own a computer, ensure internet access to connect globally 

Conditions of employment

The successful applicant/candidate will be required to undergo an initial 3 month probationary period along with annual performance reviews.  The incumbent will be required to sign a contract for the position. The successful applicant will also be required to comply with the DPI roles and procedures.

Please send your detailed resume to Abdus Sattar Dulal, Secretary of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) via email [log in to unmask] by end of business on the 20 day of April 2011.

Contact Name:  Abdus Sattar Dulal,
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]

And CC to:
Wilfredo Guzman Jara [log in to unmask]

Giampiero Griffo [log in to unmask]
Rachel Kachaje [log in to unmask]
Jean-Luc Simon [log in to unmask]

Elizabeth da Silva [log in to unmask]

Applicants are encouraged to visit www.dpi.org.

When providing additional documentation (e.g. cover letter or resume), file types that are acceptable are restricted to Microsoft Word [DOC] and Portable Document Format [PDF].