Human Rights Advisor in DanChurchAid (DCA)

Are you committed to defending human rights and empowering civil society in a world where the global world order is increasingly under pressure? Do you have the expertise to drive bold, impactful solutions at the crossroads of development and humanitarian work from a rights-based approach? Can you turn global trends into powerful local actions and strategic advocacy? If so, DCA’s role as Human Rights Advisor could be your next challenge.

DCA is searching for a dynamic new team member who has solid international experience in promoting human rights in development and humanitarian settings, and can help advance our mission as a rights-based organization. You will collaborate closely with DCA teams, partners, and allies, ensuring that we truly “walk the talk” of our core principles and fundamentals. As a Human Rights Advisor, you will play a pivotal role in operationalizing DCA’s Human Rights Policy and Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) across our global programs and advocacy efforts.

Position Overview

As the Human Rights Adcisor, you will drive and strengthen the implementation of DCA’s Human Rights Policy and HRBA approach within DCA’s programmatic work, strategic direction, and global advocacy. This role is rooted in DCA’s Global Strategy 2023-2026, "Hope and Action in an Age of Disruption," which aims to achieve four global goals: Save Lives, Build Resilient Communities, Fight Extreme Inequality, and Engage Denmark.

DCA’s approach is guided by core values as a Human Rights-based, Partner-based, Faith-based, and Multi-mandated organization, working with a wide array of actors, including human rights groups, faith organizations, women’s rights groups, social movements, and youth-led organizations. DCA is part of the global ACT Alliance, an international network of more than 140 members united in their commitment to justice and human rights.

DCA recognizes that the rapidly changing global context, especially in vulnerable countries, demands a flexible and resilient approach to promoting human rights. To address this, DCA’s HRBA to humanitarian and development programming is guided by the PANEL+ Principles, which you will help operationalize across DCA’s diverse country programmes in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Additionally, you will contribute to an ongoing global evaluation of DCA’s rights-based programming in 2024-2025, facilitating key learnings that will shape our policies and programs, and position DCA with key stakeholders and donors in a changing aid landscape.

Your Role and Responsibilities

This role is based within the Programme, Advocacy and Learning (PAL) Unit of DCA’s International Department, You will report to the Team Leader for Cross-Cutting Commitments and work closely with other advisors on other technical areas in PAL, other HQ units and Country Offices. As part of PAL, you will help ensure that DCA’s programs and advocacy efforts maintain relevance, innovation, quality and accountability.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Implementing HRBA Principles: Ensure that DCA’s programme and project activities integrates the fundamental principle of applying a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) and PANEL Principles in alignment with DCA’s global strategy, policies and guidelines.
• Supporting Learning and Capacity Sharing: Enable experience and learning sharing between country offices and partners to benefit DCA programmes and projects globally in long-term development and humanitarian programmes from an integrated programming and triple nexus approach. 
• Providing Technical Guidance: Support and guide projects, programmes, and units to implement the HRBA approach and FIGHT Extreme Inequality intervention areas for efficient implementation and documentation of results and evidence of change. 
• Engaging in Policy and Advocacy: Follow global trends, how they develop, assess the relevance for DCA and connect with local developments in DCA country programmes, including in the areas of tech & human rights and young people’s democratic voices.
• Documenting and Sharing Best Practices: Review and document best practices and methods from programmes and projects for continued improvement, documentation, and learning through capacity sharing with colleagues and partners as part of DCA’s learning frameworks and working groups.
• Quality Assurance in Project Proposals: Provide technical quality assurance to larger, strategically important concept notes and full applications with DCA’s fundraising unit GPRM and country offices.
• Representation: Ensure a strong and multi-faceted voices by DCA’s partners, DCA & ACT Alliance in key debates and decision-making forums central to DCA strategic priorities in relevant advocacy platforms and arenas both in Denmark and globally. 
• Networking: Engage and link with relevant networks, research institutions and internalise knowledge from these into DCA.

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional Expertise: Minimum 5 years of proven experience with relevant thematic disciplines and approaches (e.g. just transition, human rights defenders, young people’s democratic voices, gender and inequality, tech & human rights, etc).
• Solid experience of implementing a Human Rights Based Approach: Knowledge of human rights and IHL frameworks, approaches, international UN mechanisms, and frameworks with hands-on experience implementing the PANEL Principles in different country contexts.
• Field-based Experience: Proven experience working with or in humanitarian and development settings.
• Global Civil Society Insight: Awareness of the global civil society landscape, particularly human rights networks in the Global South, and the role of faith-based actors.
• Faith actor engagement: Understanding of the role of faith-based actors in religion & development.
• Expertise in an Advisory Role: Proven experience in advisory roles from international organisations, ideally with a strong background in both program management and advocacy.
• Communication and Collaboration Skills: Strong cultural and intercultural understandings, stakeholder management skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Education and Language: A Master’s degree in a relevant field; fluency in English is essential, while French and Danish are advantageous.

What We Offer

Joining DCA means being part of a professional and engaged team in a rewarding, collaborative, and empowering work environment. You will have opportunities to lead initiatives, shape your role over time, and contribute to global change. The position includes:

• Full-time, Permanent Position: Beginning as soon as possible, with a start date no later than February 1, 2025.
• Salary and Benefits: Salary based on DCA’s collective agreement, with a comprehensive pension and insurance package.
• Flexible Work Hours: 37-hour work week with the opportunity to work from home one day a week, including a half-hour lunch break.

Application Process Please note that DCA does not provide housing, schooling, or relocation support. Candidates must meet all legal requirements for working in Denmark. DCA encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply. DCA will assist with the process of obtaining a work permit in Denmark. 

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV through DCA’s recruitment platform Emply by December 2, 2024. Interviews will be held on 6 and 12 December.

For more information, contact Christina Dahl Jensen at cdje@dca.dk or +4550604008, or visit our website at www.danchurchaid.org.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us. Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Code of Conduct, Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.