Do you want to work in a human rights organization that makes a concrete and positive difference for people at risk of torture around the world? And do you have a master’s degree in law and hands-on experience in preventing torture and other ill-treatment?

Then DIGNITY can offer you an exciting opportunity, as we have a fixed-term position as either a legal advisor or senior legal advisor (1 year) in our department for Prevention and Accountability (P&A).

Since 1982, DIGNITY has worked for a world free of torture and violence. We are a human rights and development organization that also runs a rehabilitation clinic in Denmark. We work internationally with partner organisations to prevent torture and violence, treat traumatized victims, and document serious human rights violations so that those responsible can be held accountable.

The position in based in DIGNITY’s Prevention & Accountability department, which is responsible for DIGNITY’s legal and health-related engagements on preventing torture, pursuing accountability for torture and related international crimes and international advocacy.

About the position

As a legal advisor or senior legal advisor your core responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to the development and implementation of DIGNITY’s international strategies and projects on prevention of torture, notably preventive monitoring of the treatment and conditions of persons deprived of their liberty.
• Working closely with DIGNITY’s partner organisations on preventing torture and related human rights violations within the criminal justice sector and in non-custodial settings.
• Building capacity and advising DIGNITY and its partners on best practices and evidence-based methods of preventing torture within national law and practice.
• Conducting legal research and analysis of relevance to DIGNITY’s mandate and international engagements and contributing to developing manuals and tools.
• Drafting advocacy reports and undertaking advocacy in relation to United Nations human rights bodies and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The position is expected to include up to 45 days of travel abroad per year.

We offer you:

• A job in a dynamic organization with a global outlook and a strong professional focus, where all activities are driven by the desire to make a positive difference for victims of human rights violations.
• An opportunity to become part of an international team of committed and highly skilled colleagues with a focus on setting the best framework for collaboration and joint learning.
• Flexible working hours and an emphasis on a good balance between work and private life.

Skills

Master’s degree in law, with a specialization in international human rights law.

We also expect that you have:

• A minimum of 7-8 years of practical experience in international human rights promotion and protection, particularly in the anti-torture field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of good practices of preventing torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in diverse jurisdictions.
• Solid hands-on experience and expertise in preventive monitoring of places of detention from national monitoring bodies, such as National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs), or international monitoring mechanisms, such as the CPT or SPT.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills as well as experience in international networking and alliance-building.
• Experience in capacity building, and preferably knowledge of evidence-based methods of capacity strengthening.
• Experience in drafting advocacy reports and undertaking international advocacy vis-à-vis UN human rights bodies and regional bodies.
• Mastery of spoken and written English is a requirement.

It is also important that you have:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in an interdisciplinary environment and across different cultures.
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work across a broad portfolio, manage a complex workload and be responsive to evolving demands.
• Cultural and context sensitivity, high ethical standards and diplomatic skills.
• You are a strategic thinker, collegial, empathic and respectful.

Terms of employment

The position is a fixed term position of 1 year, with a possibility for extension.

The position is placed in DIGNITY's Prevention and Accountability department with reference to the department director. The department has approx. fifteen legal and healthcare experts, and several consultants. The department is managed by the director of department and the deputy director.

Your place of employment is Copenhagen at our main address at Bryggervangen 55, 2100 Copenhagen O.

We expect you to have a civil registry address in Denmark during the full employment. We do not offer the possibility to work from home from abroad. Please note, that the position will not be filled on a consultancy basis.

Expected entry is 1st of February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Your working hours are 37 hours per week, with the expectation that additional work may take place. It will be possible to take time off after having additional working hours within our flexible work schedule.

You are expected to have up to 45 days of travel activity per year.

The employment is based on the Danish collective agreement for academics in the Danish State.

For non-Danish candidates, we assist you in applying for a Danish residence and work permit, and upon arrival in Denmark we offer assistance through external consultant in regard to Danish taxation, creation of a bank account and similar basic requirements for residence in Denmark.

More info

Further information regarding the position can be obtained by contacting our department director, Therese Rytter, on tel. 60 10 88 10 /email: TR@dignity.dk.

Applications with CV, diploma and any other relevant documents are submitted via the link no later than 30th of November 2025 COB.

We expect to hold the first round of interviews on the 4th of December 2025 in Copenhagen or online, and a second round of interviews on the 15th of December 2025, which will take place in Copenhagen.

You can read about DIGNITY's processing of your personal data in our privacy policy, which you can find here: https://www.dignity.dk/privatlivspolitik/

DIGNITY is an international human rights and development organization that has worked for a world free of torture and violence since 1982. We prevent torture and violence, treat traumatized victims and document serious human rights violations so that those responsible can be prosecuted. You can read more about our organization and work at www.dignity.dk. DIGNITY regards diversity as a strength and therefore encourages all qualified persons to apply for the position regardless of ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age.