sex workers Archives - aditus foundation

Giving a voice to sex workers in Malta

Sex workers … are the experts on the industry, despite the clamorous voices of those who wish to speak for us, and who dismiss the accounts from sex workers that do not fit with their ideological positions. Those who ignore our voices and dismiss the
complexity of our experiences are part of creating the very problems they say they wish to solve.
Sex Work and Human Rights, The International Union of Sex Workers, March 2014

With these words in mind, and conscious of the fact that the voices of sex workers in Malta has been largely absent from the recent reform discussion, we wish to give a much needed voice to the community that is often shrouded in fear and marginalisation.

Through the Out of the Shadows project, sex workers will be able to have an active role in informing policy makers and society in general of their experiences, needs and recommendations on issues surrounding sex work in Malta. The process will be led by Marija Grech, an independent researcher, who will create a safe space for individuals to talk and share in an intimate, respectful and inclusive atmosphere.

New projects for 2021!

We’re happy to present the list of new projects we’ll be working on this year. These projects cover a broad range of issues…from statelessness to sex work from child detention to undocumented migrants…pretty much reflecting the needs we’ve identified in several sectors. Many of these initiatives will commence this year and flow into 2022. They join the projects we started last year, with the entire list giving you an idea of how busy we are but also of the human rights issues Malta still needs to address.

Contrary to what most people think, a long list of projects is not necessarily a good thing. Whilst it does mean that we’re able to address several human rights concerns, it also means that our work runs the risk of being fragmented and boxed within the constraints of specific projects: timelines, ear-marked budgets, constant reporting.

Human rights advocacy, by definition, is very difficult to squeeze into a finite project. Goals are generally long-term, targets not always reached and activities usually involve meeting stakeholders, initiating dialogue and other ‘soft’ elements that are hard to measure, evaluate and report on. Yet of course we count ourselves lucky that we have access to project funds to carry out our work, and thank all funding entities for these opportunities.

Vacancy Announcements

We are happy to publish these vacancy announcements and receive your applications! The below specifications may be downloaded here (.pdf).

Recruitment Policies

aditus foundation is an independent, voluntary and non-profit organisation established with a mission to monitor, act and report on access to fundamental human rights. Our work includes advocacy, research, capacity building and provision of pro bono legal services in the field of asylum, migration, LGBTIQ+ rights and individual rights and freedoms.

We are seeking to recruit motivated individuals to join our team of human rights advocates in Malta. Our team consists of 4 permanent staff members, supported by a dynamic group of interns and trainees.

aditus is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, citizenship, and (dis)ability.

Primary Responsibilities

The Legal Officer is primarily responsible for the provision of legal services to clients in the fields of asylum and migration. This includes individual case-work, as well as other projects involving research, writing and advocacy. The Legal Officer forms part of our Pro Bono Unit and reports to the Director.

Individual case-work with clients covers the following activities:

Delivery of information to asylum-seekers on all matters relating to the asylum procedure;
Preparation of appeals against negative decisions taken by the International Protection Agency. This involves researching and drafting submissions, and participating in the hearings of the second instance authority (the International Protection Appeals Tribunal);
Preparation of appeals against negative Dublin decisions and of subsequent applications;
Litigation relating to challenging detention of asylum-seekers and other migrants;
Assistance with applications for national protection, namely Temporary Humanitarian Protection, and with applications for other special residence documents;
Appeals against rejections of social security applications (e.g., unemployment benefits, housing benefits, etc.) involving asylum-seekers, international protection beneficiaries or other migrants;
Participation and assistance with the preparation of cases for strategic litigation in national and international fora (e.g., ECHR, UN mechanisms, etc);
Assisting clients during client drop-in days and visiting clients in open and closed centres;
General human rights support to asylum-seekers, beneficiaries of international/national protection and failed asylum-seekers.

Other Responsibilities

Together with the above, the Legal Officer will be involved in the following:

Research and drafting of the Malta reports for the Asylum Information Database (AIDA);
Supervision of one or more Legal Interns;
Participation in various meetings, seminars and trainings regularly organised in Malta or overseas;
Work closely with and provide policy analysis and legal expertise to the other team members, this would include participation in advocacy activities.

Required Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate who can effectively demonstrate the following:

University degree in law or legal studies, having covered refugee law and international human rights law;
At least 3 years’ experience working in the area of asylum;
Experience working and communicating with marginalised or vulnerable communities;
Working knowledge of the Common European Asylum System;
Excellent research and drafting skills (English);
Willingness to travel for seminars and conferences, as these arise;
Fluency in English;
Ability to work in a small team and in a fast-paced environment;
A commitment to diversity which respects differences of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion and ability. In particular, a commitment to respect the Code of Conduct of the Malta Refugee Council.

Offer

We are able to offer the following to the selected candidate:

A one-year full-time position, with the possibility of this being converted to an indefinite contract;
Salary package that is commensurate with experience;
Statutory vacation and sick leave;
A flexible and family-friendly working environment;
A fun and committed group of colleagues!

Application Procedure

Please send applications to Katarzyna De Wilde, our Programmes Officer, at katarzynadewilde@aditus.org.mt, attaching a (1) covering letter, (2) updated CV with at least 2 references and (3) 2 short writing samples by not later than 5 March 2021.

All applications should include ‘Legal Officer position’ in the subject line.

Primary Responsibilities

The primary role of the Case Officer is to support our Pro Bono Unit in the provision of legal services to individual clients, primarily in the field of asylum and migration. This includes the provision of individualised support to clients, administrative support to our team and research into relevant laws and policies. The Case Officer forms part of our Pro Bono Unit and reports to the Director.

Individual case-work with clients covers the following activities:

Client onboarding and registration;
Preparation and carrying out of visits to open and closed centres;
Follow-up with government departments, agencies and other public or private service-providers;
Background research relating to client work and litigation;
Assisting with non-litigation advocacy and outreach work in the communities;
Follow-up with specific clients;
General human rights support to asylum-seekers, beneficiaries of international/national protection and failed asylum-seekers.

Required Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the following:

University degree in law, legal studies, human rights, humanitarian action, international relations or related field.
At least 1 years’ experience working in the area of human rights or related field;
Experience working and communicating with marginalised or vulnerable communities;
Fluency in English. Knowledge of Maltese will be considered an advantage;
Ability to work in a small team and in a fast-paced environment;
A commitment to diversity which respects differences of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion and ability. In particular, a commitment to respect the Code of Conduct of the Malta Refugee Council.

Offer

We are able to offer the following to the selected candidate:

A one-year full-time position, with the possibility of this being converted to an indefinite contract;
Salary package that is commensurate with experience;
Statutory vacation and sick leave;
A flexible and family-friendly working environment;
A fun and committed group of colleagues!

Application Procedure

Please send applications to Katarzyna De Wilde, our Programmes Officer, at katarzynadewilde@aditus.org.mt, attaching a (1) covering letter, (2) updated CV with at least 2 references by not later than 5 March 2021.

All applications should include ‘Case Officer position’ in the subject line.

Out of the Shadows: giving a voice to sex workers in Malta

The Project Researcher will be engaged to carry out research within the ambit of the project Out of the Shadows: giving a voice to sex workers in Malta, funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme 2021..

Out of the Shadows seeks to create a safe space for sex workers in Malta to talk about their lives, experiences and dreams. Their stories will allow the nation to better understand the human complexities of sex work. This is being done within the context of the nationwide discussion on the reform of policy and legislation on sex work.

Out of the Shadows will run from 1 March 2021 to end February 2022.

The Project Researcher will report to the Project Leader and will be able to carry out services from our office or remotely. It will however be necessary for the Project Researcher to be available to meet individuals in person during the course of the research, as well as to attend project briefings at regular intervals.

The Researcher will produce a publication that will give a much-needed voice to a community that is often shrouded in shame, discrimination, poverty and marginalisation.

Responsibilities of the Researcher

The Researcher will be responsible for the following activities:

Formulation of a research plan based on best practice, sound ethical considerations and similar initiatives at the European/International level;
Desk-research;
Engagement with relevant governmental and non-governmental stakeholders;
Qualitative interviews with sex workers from diverse backgrounds, including – as far as possible: men, women, LGBTIQ+ persons, Maltese and non-Maltese;
Drafting of a report giving a comprehensive understanding of the situation of sex workers in Malta, including a series of legal and policy recommendations;
Participation in dissemination activities, both general and targeted to specific stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the following:

University degree in anthropology, sociology, public policy, law, youth and community studies, social policy or social work, psychology, gender studies, or an equivalent comparable professional qualification;
Experience in carrying out qualitative research;
Experience working and communicating with marginalised or vulnerable communities;
Excellent research and drafting skills in English;
Fluency in Maltese will be considered to be an advantage;
Ability to work in a small team and in a fast-paced environment;
A commitment to fundamental human rights, in particular to diversity which respects differences of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion and ability.

Offer

We are able to offer the following to the selected service-provider:

A service agreement lasting until mid-February 2022;
The estimated value of the contract between Eur 2,000 – 2,500, commensurate with experience and expertise;
Administrative support from the aditus team, including use of our office, equipment and logistics;
Research support, particularly in identifying research participants and relevant stakeholders.

Application Procedure

Please send applications to Katarzyna De Wilde, our Programmes Officer, at katarzynadewilde@aditus.org.mt, attaching a (1) covering letter, (2) updated CV with at least 2 references and (3) 2 short writing samples by not later than 5 March 2021.

All applications should include ‘Out of the Shadows Researcher position’ in the subject line.

Some of these vacancies are financed by the European Social Fund.

Just published: our Annual Report for our activities in 2019

We’ve just published the Annual Report covering our activities for 2019. This report is a mandatory document for our reporting to the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations as also a confirmation of our committment to transparency and accountability.

The report provides information on the activities, initiatives and engagements we worked on throughout the year. It also gives readers an insight into the major achievements and challenges we faced in the year. Importantly, it provides information on the human rights landscape of 2019 and our position within it.

The report is freely available on our Publications page, here.

This is my introduction to the Annual Report. We’re more than happy to provide more information on the Report’s content and our activities…just get in touch with us.

2019 will go down in history as one of Malta’s most tumultuous years. On-going investigations into the brutal assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia continued to unveil shocking stories of corruption at Malta’s highest political levels, including the Office of the Prime Minister and other Ministries, as well as in Malta’s most prominent and influential business circles. The impact on the nation was unprecedented, with upset crowds – led by civil society organisations – taking to the streets for several days with loud calls for justice, accountability and resignations. At the end of the year, the disgraced Prime Minister resigned as also the disgraced Minister for Tourism and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff.

The scandals are nowhere near resolved and justice for Daphne and for the criminal activities she was in the process of revealing is far from being secured. In a recent opinion piece, I underlined that, as long as Joseph Muscat and Konrad Mizzi remain members of Parliament, Malta will remain besieged by corruption and criminal activity, unable to restore democracy.