Living in the Netherlands or interested in working there? The Netherlands is a good place to consider if you work in the human rights field or want to bring your skill set and experience into the human rights sector. Many NGOs work on international issues (such as poverty, gender equality, reproductive rights, and democracy) as well as local ones. Here are 10 organizations offering NGO jobs in the Netherlands:
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is a global advocacy organization with a presence in the Netherlands. Like all branches of this large organization, Amnesty International Netherlands focuses on a variety of issues, such as democracy, the rise of automation and surveillance in policing, free speech, and more. Current campaigns for AI include Qatar, Poland, and “Let’s Talk about YES,” a campaign promoting dialogue about sex and consent in the Netherlands, especially among young people. Jobs can be found on the “Vacancies” page on the website.
Global Human Rights Defence
Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) is an international NGO based in The Hague in the Netherlands. It works to promote and protect all human rights but has a special focus on areas where human rights violations are at their worst. GHRD’s tasks include human rights reporting, humanitarian aid for victims of human rights abuse, and human rights education in Europe, the Netherlands, and South Asia. GHRD also prioritizes socio-economic and human rights empowerment through legal assistance, community-building, education, and skill/vocational training.
Oxfam Novib
Oxfam Novib is part of Oxfam International, which is a collection of 20 development organizations united to fight against poverty. The organization tackles poverty by focusing on several areas, such as food security, emergency aid, inequality, and education. Oxfam Novib can be found working in many countries with more than 10 million partners, such as teachers, farmers, donors, fishermen, and others.
Hivos People Unlimited
This international cooperation organization is based in The Hague. It provides support to civil society organizations in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. For over 50 years, Hivos has worked for a more just and sustainable world using five strategies: developing ideas with creative leaders; building coalitions; influencing policy and implementation; changing public opinion; and encouraging local ownership.
Wilde Ganzen Foundation
Founded in 1957, this NGO’s goal is to reduce poverty and inequality using community-driven initiatives. The organization supports community organizations in the Global South and their Dutch fundraising partners. Each year, the foundation supports hundreds of small-scale philanthropic initiatives, especially those that help children, people with disabilities, and women and girls. Wilde Ganzen also focuses on projects that are socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable.
Rutgers
For more than 50 years, Rutgers has served as the Netherlands Centre on Sexuality. The organization helps young people access quality sexual education, contraception, and safe abortions. Rutgers also works to prevent sexual and gender-based violence. Rutgers partners with other organizations internationally and participates in research, advocacy, and promoting public support.
UNICEF
UNICEF – which is a UN agency – is the world’s largest children’s rights organization. It focuses on meeting a child’s basic needs, including food, safety, and education. The organization also advocates for children’s rights and advises governments, companies, and other world leaders. The Netherlands Committee UNICEF Foundation is independent but associated with UNICEF.
Stichting Vluchteling (Netherlands Refugee Foundation)
This aid organization focuses on emergency aid to refugees and displaced persons. During emergencies, the foundation provides food, clean water, shelter, sanitation, and medical care. For longer-term problems, the foundation also supports vocational training and education. While based in the Netherlands, it works in many countries with international partners.
Netherlands Institute for Human Rights
This monitoring body protects and promotes human rights and human rights awareness in the Netherlands. Its core functions include publishing research and recommendations; reporting to international and regional human rights mechanisms; handling complaints; advising the government and other public entities; and supporting human rights education and training. While all national human rights institutions (NHRIs) are state-mandated, they operate independently. The Netherlands Institute monitors the European part of the Netherlands as well as Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.
The Netherlands Helsinki Committee
This NGO promotes human rights and strengthens democracy and the rule of law in Europe and the Central Asian countries participating in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The committee’s work focuses on strengthening legal protections, improving public policies that affect vulnerable groups, and supporting human rights NGOs. The committee is active in several civil society human rights networks in Europe. Most of the work centers on the OSCE region.
