Vacancy: International protection officer (IPO)
THE ROLE
This new position within Safeguard Defenders’ team will coordinate its direct case interventions to counter extraditions and/or deportations to the People’s Republic of China through the use of judicial and/or administrative measures available in the host country, and international procedures available at the regional or multilateral level where necessary. The IPO will also engage in media and diplomatic outreach on select cases, and lead SD’s relevant research and reporting work on these topics. The IPO will also work with SD’s transnational repression (TNR) team to assist in support to victims of TNR.
ABOUT US
Safeguard Defenders (SD) is a decentralized pan-Asian human rights organization that supports local activities that contribute to the protection of human rights, promotes the rule of law, and enhances the ability of local civil society and human rights defenders in some of the most closed political environments in Asia to defend those rights. It also undertakes field work, research and releases cutting-edge reports and briefings, and utilizes such reporting as the basis for advocacy campaigns, targeting UN organs, governments, parliaments, and beyond.
In addition, SD maintains a separate division for its ‘China in the World’ (CiTW) work, which ranges from documenting and countering the PRC’s long-arm policing, abuse of INTERPOL, misuse of extradition proceedings, etc.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The position can be based in any European country, for any person with an established right to work within the European Union. Regular in-person meetings can be expected, but day-to-day work is carried out independently. The position will require extensive engagement with all of SD’s sub-sections.
Regarding extradition and deportations
- Point-person for identification of new extradition/deportation cases and outreach to appropriate legal counsel.
- Draft and submit expert reports for courts and/or appear as expert witness in court in select cases.
- Liaise with international mechanisms and diplomatic missions to ensure awareness and advocacy on cases where appropriate.
- Engage supranational mechanisms for emergency procedures (non-refoulement).
- Liaise with relevant in-country or country-expert CSO’s on relevant cases.
- Engage in media advocacy in select cases.
Regarding transnational repression (TNR)
- Assist TNR lead on analysis and documentation of individual cases.
- Assist TNR lead on relevant engagement with authorities in individual cases, including law enforcement.
Support to Chinese diaspora and TNR victims
- Work with relevant staff within SD’s TNR/CiTW section to assist in the day-to-day management of SD’s small grants program for Chinese diaspora groups and China-specific CSO’s abroad.
Other
- Conduct research on asylum, extradition, and TNR-related tools and resources.
- Update relevant sections of SD’s Extradition Help Center.
- Conduct other research related to these issues, for example new UN reports, NGO reports, country reports, etc., to ensure materials needed for all above direct actions draws on the most recent and most authoritative materials and data.
- Assist with research outputs related to these issues, or international judicial cooperation related to China in general.
- Lead or assist on briefings and trainings on these issues.
Essential
- Educational and professional background related to human rights law, and/or work areas directly related to the core responsibilities listed above.
- Able to thrive in what can best be described as a ‘start-up’ environment. This means you must be able to work independently, manage your own time, and handle an uneven workload.
- Experience in engaging with courts, government entities and/or supranational mechanisms.
- Fluent English and strong writing skills is a must. Any additional language skills are a strong plus.
- Ability to handle public engagement, presentations, and be persuasive and handle high-stress situations (effectively countering, for example, a hostile prosecutor in court).
- Be able to handle working in or with highly diverse groups of people, including people from diverse societal backgrounds and norms.
Helpful
- Safeguard Defenders is a dual language organization, using English and Mandarin. Mandarin knowledge is not required, but certainly helpful.
- Proficiency in IT security.
- Administrative or management experience.
BENEFITS/DETAILS
- Hire in Spain/EU.
- 23 days paid vacation and 14 days paid banking holidays.
- Flexible working hours.
- Location independent (within EU).
- Competitive salary within the non-profit field.
- Full-time position.
- Because of time zone differences, you may occasionally need to work outside of normal hours.
- Significant travel may be required.
WARNING
Applicants should be aware that taking this position will mean you will likely be viewed as a ‘hostile foreign force’ by the PRC, and no longer be able to safely travel to mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau, and possibly other countries engaging in extensive judicial cooperation with the PRC.
As this is a public-facing position, risks may extend to any family members in or traveling to the PRC, Hong Kong or Macau.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should send a one-page (maximum) cover letter explaining your interest and why you think you would be able to do this job, contact information of two references relevant to this position/work duties, and a CV detailing relevant professional qualifications.
We will only reply to those that meet these requirements.
Review of applicants will be done on a rolling basis.
For submissions, contact info@safeguarddefenders.com, using subject line “Vacancy: International protection officer”