Press Release
9 December 2020
London, UK. Human Rights at Sea has commenced a recruitment drive for experienced and professional Trustees interested in joining the charitable NGO to fill the remaining posts on the Board in preparation for international work expansion in 2021 and beyond. This is a pro bono role.
The main advert is hosted by The Guardian and is replicated below:
Human Rights at Sea is recruiting New Members for its Board of Trustees
- International, National & London Focused.
- Unpaid. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered.
Do you want to help build an international platform that acts as a catalyst for change? Do you believe that human rights apply to people at sea, as they do on land? Do you want to be a committed part of the DNA of a high-tempo, inclusive and innovative civil society organisation which is actively challenging abusive employers, poor working environments and lethargic systems by positively changing attitudes towards human rights and social welfare at sea? Do you genuinely have the time, energy and experience to commit and then double-down when the going gets tough in our challenging work environment?
If the answer is “yes”, Join Us and be part of a dedicated, hard-working and committed team of Trustees and Secretariat staff which has built the organisation from ground up in just seven years. We have a clear Vision and a Mission to help end human rights abuses at sea across the entire maritime environment, and it is a hands-on role with Trustees expected to adopt a work portfolio.
About Us
In 2013, there was no global civil society platform explicitly evolving and challenging the narrative around the concept of ‘human rights at sea’. From start-up to today, our organisation has become the leading international platform explicitly developing the subject, most recently achieving Observer Status at the 26 member state Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, as well as changing maritime law in New Zealand in support of seafarers’ welfare facilities.
Human Rights at Sea was established by its founder and CEO, David Hammond, in April 2014. First, as an initiative to explore issues of maritime human rights development, and then in May 2015 it became a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under the oversight of the UK Charity Commission as the scale and scope of its work increased.
Today, the charity is an established, regulated and independent registered non-profit organisation based in the United Kingdom but working globally. It is comprised of a small team of dedicated and passionate individuals who deliver global policy impact and development, and who have contributed towards legal changes in multiple States. Importantly, it is a virtual organisation that is flexible in approach, innovative, dynamic and fast-paced.
How We Deliver
We undertake Research, Advocacy, Investigations and structured Lobbying specifically for human rights issues in the maritime environment, including contributing to support for the human element that underpins the global maritime and fishing industries, as well as matters concerning migrants and refugees who are subject to abuses at sea. We are not a welfare nor a legal services organisation.
Development and promotion of ‘Human Rights at Sea’ occurs through multiple routes. This includes objective independent research, the issuing of 82+ publications, 48+ hard-hitting factual case studies, the development of international maritime-focused human rights projects alongside collaborative partners, the investigation of alleged abuses, written and oral advocacy, and the commenting on and supporting proposed national and international human rights legislation, policies and best practice. Yes; its quite a scope of work, but there is an ongoing need for transparency and public awareness.
Today, Human Rights at Sea has delivered human rights law and policy developments in 20 States, for which we are rightly proud. There is, however, more to do.
What is happening at sea out of sight and out of mind?
Activity at sea, both legitimate and unlawful, is increasing year-on-year. This is leading to an increase in the global maritime population, currently estimated to be around 40 million persons living, working, transiting or otherwise engaged in maritime supply chains on a daily basis. That is the size of a small country working at sea each day. The majority of these are fishers estimated at approximately 34 million, an estimated 20,000 of whom are children working at sea and in coastal fishing industries. Others are at sea work in the shipping industry, in offshore oil and gas industries, engaging in tourism and a range of other activities. Importantly, there are also increasing numbers using the seas and oceans as a means of migration, including in unregulated and trafficked circumstances.
Sadly, however, it is a harsh fact that not all those at sea find themselves under the effective jurisdiction of States capable of protecting their human rights. The result is, that a great many persons who are highly vulnerable end up being abused and their fundamental human rights being ignored, with those undertaking the abuse escaping the consequences of their actions due to lack of global awareness and lack of effective remedies.
Role Description
We are seeking passionate, tenacious and fully–committed individuals with a wide range of demonstrable professional skills who are unafraid to take calculated risks and most importantly, will be overtly proud of who we are and what we do. You will be an active ambassador. In particular, we are in search of emotionally intelligent business leaders and business entrepreneurs; PR, media and fundraising experts; persons experienced in global development and the third sector; human rights defenders and anyone with a strong belief in, and attraction to, our cause. The role is not remunerated, but travel and reasonable expenses are covered; pandemics permitting.
What does the Role Entail?
Although the Charity is registered in the UK, our Team works globally and remotely with full administrative and IT support. There is flexibility in time and commitment, with a minimum of quarterly meetings principally taking place in London, or remotely. Trustees are additionally expected to keep continuously upto speed with developments from the Secretariat and which are regular and dynamic. This means circa 2 hours per week dedicated time. Trustees are otherwise provided with clear guidance and administrative support by the Secretariat to focus on their specific allocated roles and supporting portfolios. To reiterate, this is not a quiet role as victims and their families depend on the outcomes of our advocacy work.
APPLY HERE VIA GUARDIAN JOBS
Ends.