Human Rights Action Unit - Post B

The Directorate-General for External Policies is made up of four directorates: Committees, Regions (covering interparliamentary delegations), Resources and Democracy Support.

Staff of DG EXPO form a European team of advisers supporting the European Parliament's President and political bodies in their work on the EU's external policies. Colleagues in DG EXPO provide advice on matters of substance and procedure, liaise with other EU institutions and manage resources. The focus is on legislation, parliamentary oversight of the European Commission and EEAS, and support for parliamentary democracy. Most of the work is done in Brussels.

The Human Rights Action Unit provides a key component in Parliament’s overall democracy support efforts, promoting the House’s human rights agenda and visibility. Major tools include the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the mobilisation of Sakharov Prize laureates for awareness-raising activities, empowering agents of democratic change (such as human rights defenders, women parliamentarians, young people and the media), and building bridges between civil society, parliaments and governments on human rights issues.

Support the activities of the HRAC Unit through research, media monitoring, input to web site and databases and communication, reporting, and help in preparing and running of activities.

• Monitoring the situation of former Sakharov Prize Laureates and following developments in the area of human rights in selected countries;
• Helping draft the Unit’s monthly Newsletter for MEPs and the Sakharov Community;
• Contributing to the organisation of the Sakharov Fellowship Programme for human rights defenders;
• Assisting with the organisation and communication of Sakharov Community activities and  human rights actions;
• Contributing to the conceiving, preparation and running of human rights activities and events organised by the HRAC or other Directorate D units;
• Contributing to the Sakharov Community website and the EP Global Democracy website;
• Contributing to social media activities and EP media presence and profile;
• Updating the human rights resolutions database;
• Upon request, drafting information notes for MEPs concerning urgent cases of human rights violations involving the SPLs;
• Upon request, carrying out research and drafting notes on democracy and human rights topics, with particular focus on the accession countries;
• Attending and providing feedback from meetings of EP bodies that are relevant to the activities of the unit.

• Committed to promoting universal human rights as a key foreign policy goal of the EU;
• Field experience in the human rights sector and a focus on the EU Neighbourhood would be an asset;
• Excellent drafting skills in English. A very good level of French would be an asset;
• Proficient user of standard MS Office applications.