Head of International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB)

Position description

Do you want to work in a human rights organization that makes a concrete and positive difference for vulnerable people around the world? And will you lead a high-profiled international civil society platform that collects, preserves, and analyses evidence of torture and other gross human rights violations and international crimes in Belarus??

Then DIGNITY can offer you an exciting opportunity, as we have a vacant position as head of our International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB).

The position is temporary and expires on September 30, 2026, where funding expires. Since DIGNITY is engaged in several accountability programmes, there may be an opportunity to continue in a similar position after September 2026.

Since 1982, DIGNITY has worked for a world free of torture and violence. We are a human rights and development organization that also runs a rehabilitation clinic in Denmark. We prevent torture and violence, treat traumatized victims, and document serious human rights violations so that those responsible can be held accountable.

The IAPB is a coalition of independent non-government organisations that have joined forces to collect, consolidate, verify, and preserve evidence of gross human rights violations constituting crimes under international law allegedly committed by Belarusian authorities and others in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and its aftermath, with a view to supporting accountability bodies.

The position is placed in our Prevention and Accountability department with reference to the department director. The Secretariat of IAPB consists of app. 15 consultants (criminal investigators, analysists, and other specialists) based in different countries. There are currently no hired staff associated with the Secretariat. Daily financial management of the project is run by our finance and programme department in dialogue with the head.

About the position

The IAPB is funded by 15 states and the European Union. The IAPB is composed of a Steering Committee and Advisory Council and supported by a Secretariat. The Steering Committee, responsible for leading the Platform’s work, is composed of DIGNITY – Danish Institute against Torture (lead), Human Rights Center Viasna (co-lead), International Committee for the Investigation of Torture in Belarus (co-lead) and REDRESS (co-lead). For more information, see www.iapbelarus.org.

As head of platform, you will coordinate and lead the activities of the platform consultants and be responsible for the progress of the project and the quality of deliverables. You will also coordinate between Platform partners through the Steering Committee and be responsible for developing and managing relationships with external stakeholders and participating in public facing engagements.

Your primary tasks are:

• Responsibility for the effective implementation of the IAPB’s Phase III objectives and activities;
• Developing strategies for implementation of Phase III objectives;
• Coordinating and leading the team of consultants, including ensuring effective and timely completion of tasks and deliverables;
• Ensuring effective and regular communication with donors and other relevant stakeholders, such as United Nations bodies and the OSCE, including drafting periodic donor reports and hosting donor meetings;
• Representing the Platform in conferences, high-level meetings, the media and other public forums;
• Representing the Platform in and working closely with the Steering Committee, including on high-level strategy development;
• Engaging with the IAPB’s Advisory Council to ensure effective coordination of accountability related-work and consultation where required to achieve project objectives;
• Engaging with the OHCHR Examination on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus, criminal justice authorities and other accountability bodies with a view to supporting their work;
• Where needed, contributing to the preparation of analytical briefs and other tools for criminal justice authorities and other accountability actors.

We also expect you to contribute to DIGNITYs broader strategic development within the field of accountability and justice.

You are preferably based at our headquarters in Copenhagen. Alternative we offer to hire you with workplace in another EU country through an Employer of Record solution (EoR) under condition of monthly presence at our headquarters.

The position is expected to include up to 40 days of travel abroad per year in addition to travelling to headquarters in case of an EoR-solution.

We offer you

• a job in a dynamic organization with a global outlook and a strong professional focus, where all activities are driven by the desire to make a positive difference for victims of human rights violations;
• an opportunity to become part of an international team of committed and highly skilled colleagues with a focus on setting the best framework for collaboration and joint learning;
• flexible working hours and an emphasis on a good balance between work and private life.

Skills

We expect you to have a master’s degree in law.

We also expect that you:

• Have a minimum of 10 years of documented leadership and management of complex projects and teams, and in engaging with donors and high-level stakeholders, including political actors;
• Have demonstrated experience with international criminal law or alternatively international human rights law;
• Have strong strategic and analytical expertise;
• Are excellent in communication, advocacy, and drafting skills;
• Are fluent in written and oral English.

It is an advantage to have:

• Experience documenting/investigating and reporting on international crimes and gross human rights violations;
• Experience working in support of or with criminal justice authorities and/or human rights accountability bodies;
• Experience working on Belarus or in the region.

It is also important that you have:

• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to work under pressure;
• Ability to effectively build relationships and engage with a variety of donors, partners and colleagues from diverse backgrounds; Demonstrated ability and commitment to lead multi-disciplinary teams and work in a positive, collaborative and supportive manner, prioritizing team members’ wellbeing;
• A creative and entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to tackle challenges in a pragmatic and positive manner;
• Cultural and context sensitivity, high ethical standards, and diplomatic skills.

Application instructions

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