Humanitarian Officer

The Organization and Role

About Access Now

Access Now is a growing international human rights organization dedicated to defending and extending the digital rights of users at risk around the world, including issues of privacy, security, freedom of expression, and transparency. Our policy, advocacy, technology, and operations teams have staff presences in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East/North Africa (MENA), North America, and South/Southeast Asia, to provide global support to our mission.

About this role

The Humanitarian Officer leads the organization’s policy positioning and advocacy with multilateral organizations and international partners engaged in governance of information and communications technologies in humanitarian response, peace and security interventions, and related activities.

The Humanitarian Officer supports the mission and goals of Access Now by assisting in our growing work extending and defending the digital rights of people and communities in crisis, especially those in fragile and conflict-affected states, through engagement in advocacy and policy reform at the responsible agencies and authorities. The Officer uses international humanitarian law (IHL) and the law of armed conflict to complement our human rights-based approach to advancing human security, to achieve our mission.

The Humanitarian Officer works through the Advocacy Arm, within the International Organizations section of the Policy and International Programs team, in close coordination with the Legal Programmatic and Campaigns and Rapid Response teams in particular. This position reports directly through the General Counsel / UN Advocacy Manager, and works under the guidance of the Senior UN Advocacy Officer.

What you will do

• Develop and implement strategies to achieve the Organization’s Mission and the operational plans of the International Organizations team in multilateral bodies addressing humanitarian crises and situations of armed conflict
• Monitor developments in international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict and its application to information and communications technologies (ICTs), with an eye on opportunities to advance digital rights and security
• Track tech sector activities impacting humanitarian situations, and develop and implement advocacy strategies ensuring human rights accountability in public -private partnerships and relevant private sector initiatives
• Work closely with our regional teams and rapid response coordinators, monitors the digital rights situation in fragile and conflict-affected states and communities, and develops and implements advocacy strategies to prevent, mitigate, and remedy ICT-related harms through multilateral engagement
• Build relations with the digital, data, and cyber leads at United Nations (U.N.) agencies and relevant national and regional authorities responsible for peace and conflict management, including mediation and negotiations, peacekeeper operations, and civilian protection
• Collaborate on global initiatives in conjunction with other regional managers, teams, and thematic working groups within the Advocacy Arm, through the International Organizations team
• Participate in regular internal and external meetings in Access Now and relevant coalitions
• Represent Access Now in multi-stakeholder coalitions and the media
• Track activities and assists Development team in reporting and grant solicitations
• Assist in global implementation of the annual RightsCon summit series
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills, education, and mindset you will bring

• 2-4 years minimum professional-level work experience involving IHL and law of armed conflict, and in addition to human rights law and norms

• Intermediate to expert understanding of advocacy strategies to improve humanitarian interventions and conflict mediations, with insight into propelling change within the relevant U.N. and multilateral bureaucracies and structures

• Intermediate to expert knowledge of new and emerging ICTs and their relevance to human security, including:

  • Cybersecurity and cyber weapons and their use in armed conflict
  • Biometric tools and processes used in civilian protection, tracing, assistance, and digital identification programs
  • Internet connectivity programs and telecommunications disruptions and restrictions affecting displaced, refugee, and at-risk communities on the move
  • Documentation and digital evidence collection and use in accountability initiatives for human rights violations, including atrocities

• Fluency in English required, with a preference for fluency in additional U.N. working languages

• Experience working within foreign affairs or foreign assistance programs within government or the U.N. system and agencies is preferred

• Comfort communicating with people from different backgrounds and with different levels of expertise is required

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to genuinely network to maintain connections with key partners (virtually and in person)

• Strong organizational skills

• Managerial or mentoring experience to support consultants, fellows, and interns

• Capacity to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment, possessing the ability to prioritize and juggle multiple deadlines with the help of your manager

• Respect for and desire to work with a dynamic team of diverse and wonderful people

• Willingness to travel is required, up to 33% of working hours

• Appropriate education and work preparation for the role, with bachelor or master degree equivalent in international law, including IHL and law of armed conflict, or similar

The Details

Location

This is a full-time position, to be based in Geneva, Paris, Brussels, or Berlin. The successful candidate must possess the right to work in the location in which they will be based. At this time most Access Now Team Members are working through hybrid office arrangements, combining remote at-home work with intermittent use of offices and/or co-working spaces.

Remuneration

Access Now offers competitive compensation – in line with skills, preparation, and depth of experience – and benefits packages that align with our regional and office presences. While skills, experience, and the specific region/location drive compensation, examples of initial placement within the salary range for this role include:

• CHf7,200 CHF gross monthly (Geneva)
• €5,550 EUR gross monthly (Paris)
• €5,350 EUR gross monthly (Brussels)
• €6,075 EUR gross monthly (Berlin)

Benefits for this specific role are tied to the location, and will vary. Regardless of location, all Team Members benefit from a strong global culture aligned around:

• Work-life balance…including a generous paid time-off program between 36 and 40 days annually
• Access to supplemental health care insurance policies
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Extensive workplace flexibility
• Organizational resilience and support for all team members, including paid family leave and employee assistance programs
• Connection to a diverse, global team of passionate, principled professionals
• Opportunities to recharge (including one month of paid refresher leave after 4 years)