Advocacy Specialist: Treaty Bodies

ILGA World is seeking an Advocacy Specialist on Treaty Bodies to work as part of our advocacy programme and coordinate the organisation’s day-to-day engagement with the United Nations human rights treaty body system.

Deadline for applications: Tuesday, 10 November 2026 – 23:59 (Central European Time, CET)

Start of the position: January/February 2027, subject to successful work authorisation and any applicable notice period

Who can apply?

Anyone

• with dedication to – and experience in regard to – the human rights of persons with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics
• who meets the requirements

is welcome to apply.

Overview

The Advocacy Specialist: Treaty Bodies is part of ILGA World’s advocacy prgramme and coordinates the organisation’s day-to-day engagement with the United Nations. It has the mission of maintaining peace and security, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring economic and social development across the globe. It is a network of many different bodies and agencies, each of which has a particular role and responsibility. human rights treaty body system.

The role advances the rights of people and communities of diverse SOGIESC by connecting grassroots, national and regional advocacy with international human rights mechanisms. It provides technical assistance to ILGA World members, regions and human rights defenders; supports strategic engagement with treaty bodies; and helps ensure that movement priorities, evidence and lived realities inform country reviews, normative developments, jurisprudence and follow-up at national level.

Working under the strategic direction of the Advocacy Senior Manager and closely with colleagues across the advocacy programme, ILGA regions, member organisations and partner organisations, the Specialist monitors treaty body processes and opportunities, coordinates submissions and briefings, supports strategic litigation and national follow-up, analyses recommendations and jurisprudence, develops capacity-strengthening resources, and maintains relationships with treaty body members and OHCHR staff. The role also works across ILGA World programmes to connect advocacy with knowledge production and movement strengthening.

Follow this link to read more about responsibilities, requirements, performance of duties, remuneration, and benefits.

• This position requires relocation to Geneva, Switzerland.
• This position is subject to the successful granting of the necessary Swiss work authorisation.
  • Where required, ILGA World will submit and support the work permit application for the selected candidate. However, the relevant Swiss authorities make decisions on work authorisation, and ILGA World cannot guarantee that an application will be successful. Any offer of employment and appointment to the position is therefore conditional upon the required work permit being granted. If the necessary authorisation cannot be secured, ILGA World will not be able to confirm or proceed with the appointment.
• The position is advertised at 100% of a full-time position.
• ILGA World remunerates under a three-tiered salary matrix structure. The annual salary offered for the 100% position is 81,060 CHF.
• In addition, ILGA World offers 32 days, inclusive of legal holidays (“bank holidays”) and annual leave and contributions to health care costs.
• ILGA World operates under a flexible working system that – among others – includes flexible working hours.
• The weekly working time is 40 hours on a 100% position.

The candidate must have the ability to work proficiently in English (mandatory). Knowledge of Spanish, French, or another UN official language is an asset.