Vacancies

*Location: Lund, Sweden with frequent trips to the RWI Ukraine Country Office placed in Kyiv.*
*One full-time consultancy position, one-year fixed term with a potential continuation in 2027 subject to the availability of funding.*
*Start date as soon as possible.*

**About RWI**

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) is an independent academic institution that combines multi-disciplinary human rights research with education, support and outreach to contribute to a wider understanding of, and respect for, human rights and international humanitarian law. Our impact extends across more than 40 countries, and we have offices in Lund (HQ), Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Harare, Jakarta, Kyiv, Nairobi, Phnom Penh, and Yerevan.

**About the Position**

The successful candidate will join a team supporting Ukraine’s EU accession process through human rights expertise for Chapter 23.

As Programme Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the implementation and development of RWI’s Ukraine programme. The position involves regular travel to the RWI Ukraine Country Office in Kyiv and close collaboration with both Ukraine-based programme staff and colleagues in Lund, ensuring effective liaison and coordination across teams.

You will assist in the planning and implementation of programme activities in line with approved work plans. This includes developing terms of reference and agreements, supporting contracting processes, preparing agendas and materials, securing resource persons, and making all necessary logistical arrangements such as travel and accommodation. You will also help coordinate the timely completion of activity deliverables and contribute to the ongoing assessment and monitoring of programme progress and results.

In addition, you will support the overall administration of the Ukraine programme and prepare narrative reports that analyse the outcomes and impact of implemented activities and programmes. You will contribute to the development and improvement of working methodologies and MEAL tools, helping to strengthen programme quality and effectiveness over time.

The role also involves contributing to external communication and outreach by documenting and sharing results, lessons learned, and best practices from programme activities. You will stay informed about relevant geographic, thematic, and political developments to ensure that programme implementation remains contextually informed and responsive.

You will work closely with RWI colleagues and a wide range of external stakeholders, maintaining regular contact with partners, authorities, organisations, and donors. You will also support the identification and assessment of new programme opportunities within RWI’s mandate and priorities, contributing to the development of concept notes and proposals where relevant. As part of a collaborative team environment, you will actively share your areas of responsibility, research insights, and challenges faced, contributing constructively to collective learning and problem-solving.

**Your Profile**

– At least five years of documented experience of programme management and human rights, preferably justice sector- and policy-focused.
– Previous experience travelling to Ukraine, or a clear willingness and ability to do so, is required.
– Knowledge of international human rights law, standards and mechanisms, including relevant university degree with preferably specialisation in human rights, law, international relations, European studies or related field.
– Knowledge of means and methods of international development cooperation work including experience with project management.
– Organisational and analytical skills.
– Fluency English with excellent English language writing skills.
– Proven skills to work in teams.
– Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
– Ability to take initiative and prioritise work tasks.
– Ability to work under pressure and complete tasks within given timeframes.
– Supportive of a learning organisation with a strong willingness to share knowledge.
– Flexible, proactive and solution-oriented mindset with a desire to continuously improve work performance.
– A high sense of responsibility and commitment as well as strong attention to detail.
– Cultural sensitivity.
– Previous experience with EU integration and with international development cooperation in Ukraine is an advantage.

We offer a meaningful and challenging role in a respected international organisation, where your work will directly contribute to justice and rights for all.

**Application**

Apply with your CV, cover letter and by answering the selection questions no later than 15 January.

Please note that applications sent by email will not be registered. We will review applications as soon as they are received. Interested applicants are therefore encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Every application is reviewed with care. Our recruitment team takes the time to assess each candidate thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Once your application is submitted, you will receive system-generated confirmations and updates. These are triggered by our recruitment team to keep you informed throughout the process.
If we decide not to invite you for an interview, we unfortunately won’t be able to provide individual feedback. While we appreciate the effort behind every application, the volume of candidates makes personalised responses impossible.

For any questions about the position, please contact Country Director Ukraine, Theresia Kirkemann Boesen at theresia.kirkemann_boesen@rwi.lu.se

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute promotes diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified persons, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, age, disability, or other protected status under the law.

We look forward to receiving your application!

### Request for expression of interest – individual consultants

**Note!** A new deadline for applications is set to 29 December.

Please see the ad on the below links in:

[ARABIC](https://lu.box.com/s/hgfv5xyr0f6ff6gj1a13t2yzouaeh02n)

[ENGLISH](https://lu.box.com/s/0p4a0036e1bl28qv4omr6zehq8bw4dap)

[FRENCH](https://lu.box.com/s/2wl1zgptpgt61drwybi9tf1ft2f22xqh)

[PORTUGUESE](https://lu.box.com/s/9jnb344vy5afxn0sas0vvve0tqfpf0z9)

Note that your application may be completed and submitted in any of the AU working languages and will be shared with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

*Location: Lund, Sweden, in-person at the RWI or Sociology of Law Department, Lund University.* Remote internship is also an option*.*
If the internship is part of your academic studies, such as a course, it can be full-time. Otherwise, it will be part-time, up to 50 %. Unpaid internship.
*Duration: spring 2026 and/or fall 2026*

### Join Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima (RWI) , Dr. Ana Maria Vargas Falla (Lund University) and Dr. Maria Andrea Nardi (RWI) as an intern of the Defend-Bio Legal Clinic.

Defend-BIO legal clinic has as main objectives to: catalyse legal empowerment, promote active learning among university students, generate awareness training and transitional accountability. The focus being on developing legal empowerment tools for defenders in the Global South, utilising South to South and EU and Global South collaborations.

### About the Internship

After an introductory training period, you will contribute to generating fresh insights into the role of biosphere defenders as agents of change in the implementation of law and policy. You’ll explore how these defenders trigger integrated responses to biodiversity stewardship and human well-being. Additionally, you will analyse how law and policy actors from both the Global South and Europe can support biosphere defenders in nature-based solutions and human rights for just sustainability transformations.

A key part of this internship involves contributing to the DEFEND-BIO transnational research project, focused on "Biosphere Defenders Leveraging Legal and Governance Tools for Just Sustainability Transformations." For this project, RWI and Lund University are in partnership with leading institutions from Belgium, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Denmark, and have strong collaborations with Global South partners.
See more information here: https://defendbio.eu/

**Main areas in focus will be:**

– Conduct research, reviews, and analysis on academic and policy reports related to human rights, environment and defenders
– Collect, systematise, and analyse data on case studies across various countries
– Contribute to the co-development of legal empowerment tools with civil society groups
– Participate in discussions on legal and governance innovations related to the right to a healthy environment and other human rights
– Develop outreach materials, such as news articles and blog posts, based on findings

Please note, RWI and Lund University are not responsible for visa applications or any related administrative procedures.

Upon successful completion, the intern will be asked to write a brief report, and a certificate will be issued.

### ✅ Requirements

We welcome applications from **Master’s level students** from diverse disciplines, including Human Rights, Environmental Law, Business Law, European Law, Sociology of Law, Sustainability Science, Economics and Business, Communications, Journalism, Human Geography or other related disciplines.

Candidates should have the ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively within a team. Fluency in written and spoken English is required, and knowledge of additional languages, particularly Spanish, is an asset.

### Application procedure

In your application, specify if you are interested in conducting a one or two semester internship. In case of only one semester, specify if it is Spring 2026 or Fall 2026.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter (maximum one page) by no later than 15 Jan. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

For further information, please contact:
Dr Claudia Ituarte-Lima at [claudia.ituarte-lima@rwi.lu.se](https://claudia.ituarte-lima@rwi.lu.se),
Dr. Ana Maria Vargas at [ana_maria.vargas_falla@soclaw.lu.se](mailto:ana_maria.vargas_falla@soclaw.lu.se) or
Dr Maria Andrea Nardi at [maria_andrea.nardi@keg.lu.se](mailto:maria_andrea.nardi@keg.lu.se)

*The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is a world-leading organisation dedicated to promoting human rights, humanitarian law, and sustainable development. Through research, education, and collaboration, the Institute works globally to strengthen respect for human rights and foster fair and inclusive societies.*

*The RWI [International Humanitarian Law Compliance Monitoring Database, ICMD](https://icmd.se/) initiative is looking for a skilled and committed Program Officer to help drive a complex, multi-donor program forward. This is a role for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys coordinating across diverse teams, and is motivated by delivering high-quality results. If you see yourself keeping programmes on track, ensuring strong donor relations, and bringing structure and clarity to both day-to-day operations and major events, we would be glad to hear from you.*

**About RWI**

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) is an independent academic institution that combines multi-disciplinary human rights research with education, support and outreach to contribute to a wider understanding of, and respect for, human rights and international humanitarian law. Our impact extends across more than 40 countries, and we have offices in Lund (HQ), Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Harare, Jakarta, Kyiv, Nairobi, Phnom Penh, and Yerevan.

**About the position**

RWI is excited to announce an opportunity for an 18-month assignment as a full-time Programme Officer to join our office in Lund, Sweden.
The Program Officer plays a central coordinating role within the ICMD initiative, ensuring that activities across the programme move forward in a structured, timely, and coherent manner. The position focuses on enabling effective collaboration between donors, consortium partners, internal teams, and external stakeholders. You will help maintain a clear operational framework, support planning processes, and contribute to strong donor relations.

The role is well suited for someone who enjoys creating order in complex environments, strengthening systems, and supporting colleagues in delivering high-quality outputs. While the portfolio spans various thematic areas, the position does not require subject-matter expertise; instead, it relies on strong project management capabilities, clear communication, and the ability to translate plans into smooth day-to-day operations. The position includes occasional travel for events.

**Duties and Responsibilities**

In this role, you ensure that grants, workflows, and events run efficiently and in line with donor and organisational standards. You oversee award progress, coordinate timelines, and support partners in meeting reporting requirements. You consolidate narrative and financial inputs into high-quality submissions, help maintain compliance, and act as the primary point of contact for programme-related coordination with donors.

A key part of the job is monitoring progress against plans, aligning tools and methodologies across partners, and securing timely data for reporting. You also lead the full operational cycle of programme events—from planning and budgeting to vendor coordination, logistics, and on-site execution—while ensuring donor visibility requirements are met.

When relevant, you may supervise team members, facilitate capacity strengthening, and contribute to documenting lessons learned to support continuous improvement.

**Qualifications**

Essential Requirements

– Relevant university degree.
– 3–5 years of documented experience in programme management. EU experience of project handling is strongly desired (especially ECHO grant management).
– Knowledge of international development cooperation methods and standards.
– Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail.
– Fluency in English, with excellent writing skills.
– Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams.
– Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
– Ability to take initiative, prioritise effectively, and meet tight deadlines.
– High sense of responsibility and commitment.
– Cultural sensitivity and good understanding of humanitarian principles and values.
– Work permit for Sweden.
– Knowledge of APPEL system is desirable.

Core Competencies

– Strong project management skills, including planning, scheduling, risk management, and coordination across multiple donors.
– Excellent written communication and report-writing skills.
– Financial literacy, including budget design and expenditure tracking.
– Ability to manage stakeholders and coordinate across diverse partners.
– Experience in planning and delivering events of varying complexity.
– Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
– Excellent organisational and time-management capabilities.
– Technical proficiency with project management tools and digital systems.
– Leadership skills and experience in coordinating or guiding teams.
– Adaptability, resilience, and a positive, solution-oriented mindset.

**Application**

Apply with your CV and by answering the selection questions. No cover letter is required – we believe your experience and your answers will give us a better picture of who you are and how you match the role.

We will review applications after the application deadline, last day to apply is **11 January 2026**.

For inquiries regarding the position, please contact our Director Research and Education Morten Koch Andersen at morten.koch_andersen@rwi.lu.se

Every application is reviewed with care. Our recruitment team takes the time to assess each candidate thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Once your application is submitted, you will receive system-generated confirmations and updates. These are triggered by our recruitment team to keep you informed throughout the process.
If we decide not to invite you for an interview, we unfortunately won’t be able to provide individual feedback. While we appreciate the effort behind every application, the volume of candidates makes personalised responses impossible.

The Raoul Wallenberg Institute promotes diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified persons, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, age, disability, or other protected status under the law.

We look forward to receiving your application!