Analytically strong lawyer for the Legal Department at the Institute for Human Rights

About us The Danish Institute for Human Rights was established by law by Parliament as Denmark's national human rights institution to promote and protect human rights. We are an independent state-funded knowledge organization that, based on research and analysis, monitors and advises on the human rights situation in Denmark and Greenland.

The role and identity as the national human rights institution are also the starting point for the institute's international work, which through projects and partnerships contributes to realizing human rights in the countries we work in.

About the position As a lawyer in the Legal Department you will be part of the institute's central work to monitor the rights situation in Denmark and advise the government and the Parliament on human rights issues. You will participate in the work of analysing legislative proposals and providing consultation responses and recommendations, just as you will prepare reports to international human rights mechanisms. Furthermore, where appropriate you will contribute to the institute's work in principled litigation.

As a lawyer at the institute you will be responsible for the daily overview of the legal and political landscape within one or more areas. This includes, among other things, drafting analyses on highly topical topics, professional sparring with colleagues elsewhere in the organization, as well as networking and collaboration across relevant external actors in the field. In the work you will have ongoing contact with researchers, civil society and decision-makers.

The Legal Department consists of 8 academic staff, most of whom are lawyers, as well as 1-2 student assistants/interns.

About you We place emphasis on you

• Have a strong analytical professional competence
• Show initiative, drive and independence in task solving
• Are eager to work with human rights across several different areas
• Can express yourself clearly in Danish and English
• Have experience from government, law firm, civil society organization, courts or similar
• Can collaborate at all levels and across disciplines
• Have an eye for political reality and are good at conveying legal material in a way that can be included in public debate

Salary and terms of employment You will be employed as a legal trainee (fuldmægtig) or senior advisor (specialkonsulent), depending on your qualifications and experience.

Salary and terms of employment are as agreed in the applicable collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state. There will be opportunities to negotiate supplements.

The working hours are on average 37 hours/week. The workplace is Wilders Plads 8K, 1403 Copenhagen K.

We have flexible working hours, and to some extent there will be opportunity to work from home after agreement with the department head.

Application deadline The application deadline is 18 October 2026. We expect to conduct employment interviews in weeks 43 and 44. Start as soon as possible.

Applications with CV, degree diploma and results as well as references and relevant recommendations should be sent via the link here on the page. Applications without the mentioned attachments will not be considered.

We aim to be a diverse workplace and therefore encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

Contact If you have questions about the position, please contact Chief Legal Counsel Sarah Skafte-Vaabengaard at [email protected] or mobile 91 32 57 06.