Vacant job

We are looking for you who want to contribute to an operation that should follow and monitor that human rights are respected and realized in Sweden. At the Institute for Human Rights, you will participate in the work of further developing an independent institute with the mandate to strengthen the observance of human rights and to perform the task as an independent national mechanism according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

About the Institute for Human Rights

We defend and push for Sweden to respect, protect and promote human rights. Our vision is a society where every person enjoys their human rights.

We started in 2022 and shall operate in accordance with the Paris Principles, which are the international standard for national human rights institutions.

Our work is led by a board with a director who is responsible for the operations at the office located in Lund. The organization consists of three units and you will be placed in the unit for investigation and analysis.

About the job as an Investigator

The work as an investigator includes following, investigating and reporting on the development of human rights in Sweden in different areas, as well as following national and international legal developments of significance for human rights. You prepare memoranda and background material for reports and other documents within the institute's area of activity, as well as presentations for the management. The work also includes driving projects on behalf of the institute as well as outward-facing activities, such as contacts with rights holders and contacts with authorities and organizations at local, regional, national and international levels.

The Institute for Human Rights is in a development phase. The work will be characterized by a continuous and close dialogue with colleagues, external actors and rights holders. Being collaborative, able to work with many different tasks and functioning in a changing environment is crucial for thriving with us.

The Institute for Human Rights strives for diversity among its employees and welcomes all applicants with qualifications for the position regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religion or other belief, sexual orientation or disability.

Qualifications

To be relevant for the job, we want you to:

• have a relevant degree in social sciences, such as political science, law or equivalent,
• have broad and good knowledge, as well as several years of experience working with human rights issues,
• have extensive experience in conducting investigations, writing reports and official statements
• have experience in promoting increased knowledge of human rights
• have experience from fieldwork and conversational methodology for interviews and dialogue with people and groups in vulnerable situations
• have broad and good knowledge of the international human rights provisions that Sweden is bound by, such as the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and UN and Council of Europe conventions on human rights,
• express yourself very well in Swedish and English.

It is an advantage if you also:

• have education in human rights
• have knowledge in areas concerning children and adults who are deprived of liberty
• have experience of rights-based approach
• have experience from public administration, supervision or the judiciary
• have experience of having worked within civil society
• have knowledge of one or more of the national minority languages, Swedish Sign Language and/or one or more other languages spoken by many in Sweden.

Skills

We are looking for people with a solution-oriented approach and who treat colleagues, rights holders and other stakeholders professionally and with respect. It is necessary to be able to take personal responsibility for driving the work forward within the framework of the mandate and to show good judgment in doing so by being able to take a stand on what may need to be verified and anchored. Furthermore, the work requires the ability to quickly familiarize yourself with new areas of work, work with different tasks and reprioritize based on a given situation. Being able to collaborate well internally and externally to solve tasks and liking to create and maintain new contacts is a prerequisite for being successful in the assignment.

Other

Permanent employment with immediate effect or as agreed. Probation period applies. Travel within the framework of employment may occur. Part of the work can be performed remotely.

We have removed the personal letter from the application process and replaced it with selection questions to create an inclusive recruitment process.

The Institute strives for a diversity of knowledge and experiences among its employees. We value a recruitment free from discrimination that gives equal opportunities for all. We are located in accessible premises at Mobilvägen 10 in Lund, with proximity to good communication opportunities. We do not see further adjustments as a hindrance. If you have protected personal data, we ask you to inform the recruitment consultant indicated below so that we can handle your personal data correctly.

Are you interested?

If you want to know more about the job and what we offer, contact recruitment consultant Adam Bernhoff tel 0704-158513.

We are happy to receive calls from you who are interested in the job but we decline calls from you who sell advertisements and recruitment services.

The last day for applications is June 5, 2026.