Are you passionate about advancing LGBTQI rights through advocacy and international cooperation? Join RFSL’s international work as International Advocacy Advisor and contribute to impactful advocacy efforts in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus, in close collaboration with local LGBTQI movements.

About RFSL and our international work

RFSL (the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights), founded in 1950, is one of the world’s oldest LGBTQI organizations. We work nationally and internationally to ensure that LGBTQI people enjoy the same rights, opportunities, and obligations as everyone else.

RFSL’s international work collaborates with LGBTQI movements in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa through regranting, capacity-strengthening, and advocacy. Our advocacy work is carried out in close collaboration with local partners and focuses on creating enabling environments for LGBTQI rights at national, regional, and global levels.

About the position

We are now recruiting an International Advocacy Advisor to join our advocacy team with a specific focus on Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. As International Advocacy Advisor, you will play a key role in advancing RFSL’s advocacy efforts, with a particular focus on supporting and enabling the participation of LGBTQI activists in global and regional advocacy spaces. You will report to the Head of Advocacy Team and work closely with other Advocacy Advisors and Program Managers within RFSL.

This is a full-time, permanent position based at our Stockholm office, with flexibility for remote work within Sweden. A six-month probation period applies.

Key responsibilities:

• Planning, implementing, and following up on international advocacy work, aligned with RFSL’s political platform, international strategy and programme plans;
• Serving as a bridge between LGBTQI movements in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the Swedish movement, relevant Swedish authorities and national platforms;
• Representing RFSL in regional and international fora, including the EU, UN and other human rights mechanisms such as CoE;
• Actively contribute to RFSL’s overall advocacy and communication work to raise awareness on LGBTQI issues and human rights in general;
• Enabling participation of international LGBTQI activists in advocacy spaces through tailored training, mentoring and strategic guidance;
• Coordinate and support advocacy efforts with local partners and international organizations;
• Developing and conducting international trainings sessions on advocacy;
• Monitoring the political and other relevant developments in the regions of Eastern Europe and South Caucasus and globally of relevance for the work;
• In collaboration with International Program Managers assessing the advocacy needs of RFSL’s partner organisations in the region and matching them with relevant lobbying, advocacy and training opportunities;
• Monitoring and evaluating advocacy efforts and adapting strategies to changing contexts;
• Contributing to donor reporting and funding proposals related to advocacy work;

Who are you?

You are a strategic and collaborative professional with a strong commitment to LGBTQI rights and human rights-based advocacy. You are comfortable navigating complex political environments, enjoy working in a fast-paced setting and thrive when working in partnerships with civil society actors in repressive or shifting contexts.

To succeed in this role, you have:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in human rights advocacy, including 3 years of high-level advocacy work;
• Demonstrated experience engaging with UN mechanisms and/or regional human rights systems, such as EU, CoE, COSE;
• Strong knowledge of the human rights situation of LGBTI people and civil society landscape in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus;
• Experience in facilitating trainings and mentoring activists;
• Excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written) and ability to write and speak at least basic Swedish;
• Strong ability to work independently and in teams, and to manage multiple tasks effectively;
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, several times per year is required;

Desirable qualifications:

• Degree in international relations, human rights, law, or relevant field – or equivalent experience;
• Experience working with LGBTQI movements and small, grassroots organizations in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus;
• Experience of fundraising work, both towards individuals, private companies and institutional donors;
• Experience from other sectors or other civil society movements;
• Other languages relevant for the region;
• Experience of working with capacity-strengthening activities and advocacy;
• Proficiency in relevant regional languages
• Familiarity with Swedish development cooperation frameworks (e.g. ForumCiv, Sida);
• Additional expertise in a complementary field such as law, digital communication, data analysis, or emerging technologies (e.g. AI), particularly where relevant to advocacy or civil society work.

Employment terms

• Employment type: Full-time, permanent position with an initial six-month probation period.
• Location: RFSL office in Stockholm, with the possibility of remote work
• Start date: As agreed.
• Contract terms: Covered by the Collective Agreement for Nonprofit Organizations.

Our offer

RFSL offers a dynamic and inclusive workplace that values professionalism, growth, and social impact. We provide competitive conditions, including occupational pensions and parental benefits.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by 23rd of July. We use anonymous, competency-based recruitment and require a background check and a work-related assignment as part of the process before employment. This recruitment process will be conducted both in English and in Swedish

For inquiries about the position, please contact the hiring manager Felix König at felix.konig@rfsl.se. For recruitment process questions, reach out to HR Partner Tobias Jensen at tobias.jensen@rfsl.se. Please note that the advertisement is published during the holiday period, and responses to any inquiries regarding the position or the recruitment process may be delayed.

As a feminist and anti-racist organization, RFSL strives to be an inclusive workplace for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex characteristics, religion, race, ethnicity, country of origin, disability status, age, and other grounds of discrimination. Candidates with diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.