Join SAIH as our new Protection Advisor

SAIH is expanding its Protection work and is now recruiting a dedicated Protection Advisor. We are looking for someone strategic and structured, committed to human rights, academic freedom and the safety of students and academics globally. The position is placed in a cross-departmental team, and reports to the Head of Protection.

SAIH’s protection work is dynamic, inherently collaborative, and relies on a broad network of national and international allies to generate knowledge, advocate towards decision makers, and provide support to students and academics at risk. You will join an engaged, cross-departmental team and work with a wide range of actors around the world, including activists, student movements, higher education institutions and civil society networks. You will thrive in this position if you are committed to promoting human rights, appreciate working with people from various cultures and backgrounds, and enjoy being challenged with a diversity of tasks in a dynamic environment.

SAIH is one of few solidarity organizations internationally with a specific focus on higher education. We work with grassroot movements, human rights and civil society organizations, higher education institutions, intercultural universities, and research institutes across diverse and complex contexts. Our work culture is rooted in solidarity, inclusion, and participation. We are bold and take risks by challenging dominant narratives and existing power structures.

Key Responsibilities

• Strengthen and coordinate SAIH’s protection work for student activists and academics at risk.

• Manage and further develop SAIH’s protection fund, providing support to at-risk individuals and organizations.

• Serve as the first point of contact for protection requests from students and academics around the world, offering timely, relevant guidance.

• Support SAIH’s efforts to improve national and international protection mechanisms, including the Norwegian Students at Risk program and regional pilot programs.

• Support research, documentation, and learning efforts related to the repression of student activism.

• Contribute to advocacy related to protection, including individual cases, promoting stronger protection frameworks and the right to academic freedom.

• Contribute to fundraising, development of partnerships, and new protection initiatives.

• Undertake additional tasks as needed as SAIH work evolves.

• Some travel is expected in this position.

Preferred education, experience and skills

• Relevant academic background.

• Minimum of 3 years' experience with human rights protection work, ideally including work with at‑risk individuals, civil society actors, and/or human rights defenders.

• Contextual understanding of political repression and civil society dynamics in at least one specific region is an advantage.

• Knowledge of higher education, academic freedom, and/or international development work, as well as familiarity with SAIH’s thematic areas is an asset.

• Experience with proactively building and maintaining an institutional network of colleagues and contacts.

• Practical experience with project management, including managing funds, developing applications, and maintaining good relationships with partners and donors.

• Strong written and oral communication skills in English; Norwegian, Spanish and/or other language is an advantage.

• Proven experience working independently, proactively and flexibly under periods of high intensity with limited supervision.

We are looking for someone with

• Good collaboration skills and the ability to engage in cross‑cultural dialogue.

• Agility to support individuals or partners in challenging or high‑stress situations, exercising good judgment with professionalism and empathy.

• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive topics clearly, responsibly, and engagingly.

SAIH offers

• A committed and socially engaged working environment with the opportunity to make a difference in the life of individuals.

• Flexible working hours, welfare money and the possibility to exercise during working hours.

• Good opportunities for personal and professional development and additional holidays during Easter and Christmas.

• Tariff agreement and membership in KLPs pension scheme.

• Attractive office premises in Grønland in Oslo.

If you have questions about the position, contact the Head of Protection, Lauren Berntsen on phone +47 907 01 216 or via email: lauren.berntsen@saih.no.

Application deadline: May 24th

SAIH is a solidarity organization, by and for students and academics.

We have worked for over 60 years to promote higher education and academic freedom as a human right.

Together with volunteers, member organizations and local partner organizations in eight countries, we fight for everyone to have access to inclusive and quality higher education.

SAIH is one of few solidarity organizations internationally with a specific focus on higher education.

We work with grassroot movements, human rights and civil society organizations, higher education institutions, intercultural universities, and research institutes across diverse and complex contexts.

Our work culture is rooted in solidarity, inclusion, and participation.

We are bold and take risks by challenging dominant narratives and existing power structures.