Volunteer FIDH – THE HAGUE

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is a federation of non-governmental organisations whose objective is to take concrete actions for the respect of all human rights. For more information, please visit https://www.fidh.org/en

In 2004 FIDH established a permanent delegation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), whose main activities are:

• To support local NGOs and victims’ organisations in their understanding of and access to the mechanisms established by the Rome Statute, including by:
  • organising training and strategy sessions for FIDH member and partner organisations,
  • facilitating dialogue between local organisations and representatives of the different organs of the Court,
  • conducting advocacy on ICC-related topics, in particular victims’ rights, and/on ICC situation countries,
  • conducting joint documentation work and missions on Rome Statute crimes and complementarity;
  • submitting joint Article 15 communications and other elements of information to the ICC Office of the Prosecutor on Rome Statute crimes ;
• To participate in conferences, meetings and consultations organised by or concerning the ICC, with the aim of promoting the development of a fair, efficient and independent institution respectful of all human rights;
• To closely monitor the situations and cases before the ICC, particularly decisions on victims’ participation and on sexual and gender-based crimes; and
• To participate in the work and activities of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court.

Position: Volunteer (full-time)

Duration: April – July 2022

Desirable start date: as soon as possible

Location: The Hague, Netherlands

During the time of the position, the selected candidate will:

1- Contribute to the organisation of the International Justice Desk activities in The Hague and abroad, as well as virtual (i.e. background research, design of agenda, drafting of briefing notes, letters of invitation, letters to request meetings, logistics etc.), in particular:

• capacity building activities for human rights defenders on the International Criminal Court, international law and documentation of international crimes;
• advocacy activities in The Hague, Brussels and/or Geneva on pre-identified ICC situation countries or ICC institutional matters;
• public events, including webinars on pre-identified ICC situation countries or ICC institutional matters, for example for the launch of FIDH publications

2- Monitor ICC developments, conduct research on pre-identified ICC-related issues and/or ICC situation countries, in order to draft and update internal briefing papers and contribute to advocacy and communication strategies, in particular on:

• the follow-up of the Independent Expert Review of the ICC performance, particularly with regards to victims rights;
• ICC proceedings and developments, including in relation to Afghanistan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela;

3- Draft public documents of FIDH’s international justice desk in relation to the ICC, for advocacy and communication purposes, including position papers, press releases, Q&As, open letters, social media content; and support with the translation, proofreading and review of public documents.

4- Provide administrative support to the FIDH office in The Hague.

The volunteer will work in a diverse linguistic and cultural setting, gaining strategic advocacy and legal skills. The volunteer will have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including diplomats, members of international organisations, the International Criminal Court and human rights activists from around the world.

– Restrictions due to the Covid-A9 pandemic might impact in-person activities.

The volunteer will work under the direct supervision of Dorine Llanta, Programme Officer at the Permanent Representation to the ICC in The Hague, and under the responsibility of Delphine Carlens, Head of the International Justice Desk, based in Paris.

Requirements:

Studies in International or Criminal Law, Political Sciences, International Relations or other similar background; demonstrated interest in human rights and/or international justice; exposure to international organisations and/or international courts, experience in research and analysis. Experience with NGOs an asset. Fluency in English with a good command of French; understanding of Spanish or additional languages an asset.

Conditions:

This position is unpaid. A stipend of 250 euros per month for travel to work and lunch expenses will be provided.