Secretariat's staff
- Office of the Secretary-General
- Advocacy and Legal Team
- Fundraising Team
- Communications Team
- Membership Team
- Health Team
- Administration and Finance Team
See our current vacancies.
Office of the Secretary-General
Joost Martens, Secretary-General
Responsibilities include the overall implementation of the IRCT’s policies and strategies, with a broad mandate to promote and support rehabilitation through IRCT member centers and programmes, and advocacy for the prevention of torture globally. Mr Martens has thirty years of professional experience in the development sector working for rights-based organizations. Previous positions include research and project management at the International Labour Organisation and UNHCR. Mr Martens also had leadership positions at Oxfam GB and most recently at Consumers International in London, where he served as Director-General for nearly 3 years. He has considerable work experience in diverse cultural settings, such as South and Central America, Zambia and Vietnam. MA in Economics and in Urban and Regional Planning. Languages: Dutch, English, Spanish, French (intermediate) and German (intermediate).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 01 / E-mail: jm@irct.org
Gitte Sørensen, Executive Assistant, HR Officer
Responsibilities include secretarial functions for the Secretary-General, managing external relations with the IRCT Executive Committee and Council, and taking care of all personnel related matters. Previous experience includes secretarial functions with the EU and the Canadian Embassy in Denmark. BA in modern languages. Languages: Danish, English, French, German (basic) and Swedish (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 02 / E-mail: gs@irct.org
Advocacy and Legal Team
Miriam Reventlow, Head of Advocacy and Legal Team
Responsibilities include oversight of all legal aspects of projects, policy change regarding rehabilitation, justice and prevention and co-operation with NGOs and human rights bodies. Has previously worked in Germany, South Africa and France on human rights and humanitarian law-related issues. Can provide training on various legal issues. Lawyer, LLM. Specialisation in International and Human Rights Law. Languages: German, English and French.
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 24 / E-mail: mr@irct.org
Rachel Towers, Legal Officer
Responsibilities include legal support and research for the Advocacy and Legal Team, including right to rehabilitation, access to justice, prevention of torture and governance issues. Previously worked as an immigration and asylum litigation lawyer for the UK Government. Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales, E.MA in Human Rights and Democratisation and Bachelor in Geography and Spanish (B.A. Joint Honours). Languages: English, Spanish, French (intermediate) and Italian (basic). Previous experience working on a voluntary basis for human rights NGOs in the UK and abroad.
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 33 / E-mail: rto@irct.org
Sweta Bonnet, Intern
Responsibilities include assistance to the legal and advocacy team on the promotion of the right to rehabilitation and cases follow-up. E.MA in Human Rights and Democratisation, BA in International, European and Foreign Law. Previous experience in South Asia, Lebanon and Colombia focusing on human rights related issues, particularly on women and children’s rights. Languages: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese (basic) and Italian (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 17 / E-mail: sbo@irct.org
Geneva Liaison Office:
Asger Kjaerum, Head of the Geneva Liaison Office
Responsibilities include representation at the United Nations in Geneva and implementation of a project on facilitating the use of forensic medical evidence in torture cases. Previous experience from working with various UN mechanisms in Geneva and New York. Can provide trainings on the UN human rights system and torture related legal issues. MA in Law. Specialisation in international law and human rights law.
Tel.: (+41) (0)76 221 5959 / E-mail: akj@irct.org
Brussels Liaison Office:
Hélène de Rengervé, Head of the Brussels Liaison Office
In continuation of her responsibilities since June 2010, responsibilities include oversight and coordination of all IRCT activities in relation with European institutions and management of the Brussels office and until further notice, monitoring EU policies on internal affairs on political and operational grounds. From 2004-2010, she worked as administrative and financial director at the IRCT member centre Parcours d’Exil, which she co-founded in 2001. Previous experience also includes presidency of AEGEE Europe, mission leader at WelcomEurope, project management for the Newropeans International Conference in 2000, working as trainer in Poland within the framework of the PHARE programme and a position at the rehabilitation centre AVRE, in France. BA in Trade and Management, MA in European Studies and Fundraising Diploma (ESSEC/AFF). Languages: French, English and Spanish (intermediate).
Tel.: +32 (0) 2 230 15 04 / E-mail: hdr@irct.eu
Elena Zacharenko, Advocacy Officer
Responsibilities include representation and advocacy vis-à-vis the European Union institutions on matters of EU foreign policy, monitoring EU policies and facilitation of communication between IRCT non-European members and the EU. Previously worked within Amnesty International (in Brussels and in Warsaw) on anti-torture, anti-death penalty and anti-arm proliferation campaigns, as well as advocated for AI’s position on EU policy towards Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. MA European Politics, BA (Hons) International Relations and Politics. Languages: Russian, Polish, English, French and Spanish (intermediate).
Tel. +32 (0) 2 230 15 04 / E-mail: eza@irct.eu
Marnix de Witte, Intern
Responsibilities include representation and advocacy vis-à-vis the European Union institutions on matters of EU policy, mainly EU asylum policies and the policies of the EU Member States. Previously worked for the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels on migration matters. E.MA in Human Rights and Democratisation, MA European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives, BA European Studies. Languages: Dutch, English, Italian (intermediate), Spanish (intermediate) and French (intermediate).
Tel. +32 (0) 2 230 15 04 / E-mail: mdw@irct.eu
Donor Relations Team
Hélène de Rengervé, Head of Donor Relations Team
Responsibilities include oversight of all donor relations activities including fundraising and grant management in line with the IRCT code of conduct and professional ethical principles. Ms de Rengervé has an extensive experience of securing funding from various donors since 1998. From 2004-2010 she worked as administrative and financial director at the IRCT member centre Parcours d’Exil, which she co-founded in 2001. Previous experience also includes presidency of AEGEE Europe, mission leader at WelcomEurope, project management for the Newropeans International Conference in 2000, working as trainer in Poland within the framework of the PHARE programme and a position at the rehabilitation centre AVRE, in France. BA in Trade and Management and MA in European Studies and Fundraising Diploma (ESSEC/AFF). Languages: French, English and Spanish (intermediate).
Tel.: +32 (0) 2 230 15 04 / E-mail: hdr@irct.eu
Janice Granados, Senior Fundraising Officer
Responsibilities include fundraising, campaigns and special events in Denmark vis-à-vis Danish foundations and organizations, Danish individuals and the corporate sector, contact to international private donors and research on fundraising opportunities in Scandinavia. Previous experience includes 15 years as Counselor of Development Assistance with DANIDA and three years as Information Expert with UNESCO’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratization (E.MA), MA in Spanish and Latin American language and literature, BA in French language and literature, degrees in psychology and law, counselor for abused children, crisis therapist for torture victims. Languages: Danish, English, Spanish, French (intermediate) and German (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 41 / E-mail: jgr@irct.org
Daniel Lewis, Programme Development Officer
Responsibilities include support on legal aspects of projects, cooperation with international organisations, implementation of the IRCT’s fundraising strategy and assistance in drafting funding applications. Previous experience includes research on torture prevention initiatives in criminal justice systems and indigent criminal defense work. BA in English and Comparative Literature, JD in Law. Languages: English, Danish (basic) and Spanish (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 06 / E-mail: dl@irct.org
Communications Team
Scott McAusland, Head of Communications Team
Responsible for furthering the mission of the IRCT through effective and targeted communications. Previously held Media and Communications Manager positions for health, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) organisations in the UK and The Netherlands focusing on communications strategy, media relations, online communications and brand development. BA (Hons) Politics and Sociology and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Languages: English, French (basic) and Dutch (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 32 / Email: sma@irct.org
Fábio Pereira, Communications Officer, Editorial Assistant TORTURE journal
Responsibilities include general assistance to the Communications Team and 26 June global campaign. Editorial Assistant of Torture Journal. BSc in Management, MSc in International Business and Development Studies. Languages: Portuguese, English and Danish (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 27 / E-mail: fp@irct.org
Tessa Moll, Communications Officer
Responsibilities include writing external communications material for the website and social media, and general assistance to the communications team with publications writing and editing. Previous experience includes conducting research for gender and media NGOs in Southern Africa, and various journalism positions as newspaper reporter and managing editor. BJ in Print Journalism, BA in American and Women’s Studies, MSSc in Gender Studies. Languages: English and Danish (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 29 / E-mail: tem@irct.org
Membership Team
Leanne MacMillan, Head of Membership Team
Responsibilities include leading the development of the IRCT membership and supporting its work as a global torture rehabilitation movement. Ms MacMillan has been working on the issue of torture and rehabilitation for several years and for five years was the Director of Policy and External Affairs at the Medical Foundation in the UK. She created the first network of torture survivors in the UK to build their capacity to directly engage in research, policy and advocacy. For several years her work has focused on helping to build the global torture rehabilitation movement to engage in both clinical and human rights work. She has extensive experience in capacity building programs in several countries and regularly lectured on the right to health, the prevention of torture, human rights evidence gathering and documentation in clinical contexts. For over a decade she worked with the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in a number of capacities including as their Representative to the UN in New York. Ms MacMillan has conducted research in over 20 countries. Degree in Law. Languages: English and French.
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 04 / E-mail: lm@irct.org
Lars Døssing Rosenmeier, Programme Assistant
Responsibilities include project management of the IRCT Projects in Egypt and assisting with the managent of the NSA Project as well as general assistance to the Membership Team. MA in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. Languages: Danish, English, Arabic.
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 31 / E-mail: ldr@irct.org
Line Baagø-Rasmussen, Project Coordinator
Responsibilities include project coordination of IRCT's Toolkit project and implementation of the NSA project in cooperation with partners in Latin America and Asia, providing expertise on the integration of a livelihood component in torture rehabilitation programming and policy change regarding rehabilitation and economic, social and cultural rights. Previous experience include coordination and implementation of IRCT's project on children and torture in Asia, fieldwork in Peru for a research project on social and socio-economic consequences of torture, working with human rights NGOs in Latin America, working with development and Corporate Social Responsibility/Human Rights and Business at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR). MA in Sociology, E.MA in Human Rights and Democratisation. Languages: Danish, English, Spanish and French (Basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 23 / Email: lbr@irct.org
Margaret Hansen, Senior Programme Assistant
Responsibilities include grants management and coordination, membership applications, support to the forensic documentation project as well as general assistance to the Membership Team. Previous experience includes administrative functions in UNICEF both at Headquarters and Country Office levels. MA in French Language and Literature, Diploma in Business Administration. Languages: English, French and Danish.
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 16 / E-mail: mh@irct.org
Pieter-Jan Hamels, Project Officer
Responsibilities include the coordination of IRCT’s Great Lakes Project with partners and associates in Burundi (Bujumbura), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Uvira, Bukavu and Goma) and Rwanda (Kigali). Mr. Hamels worked at IRCT’s EU-liaison office before as Advocacy Assistant, focusing on the EU’s external relations. Before his employment at the IRCT, he worked at the European Parliament and at the Permanent Representation of Belgium to the United Nations in Geneva and New York. He has a Masters degree in Medieval History of the University of Leuven, Belgium; International Relations, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution of the University of Louvain-la-neuve, Belgium; and Human Rights and Democratisation of the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (Venice, Italy). Languages: Dutch, French, English and German (basic).
Tel: (+45) 36 93 87 44 / Email: pjh@irct.org
Wissame Fahlaoui, Libya Project Manager
Based in Tripoli, Libya
Responsibilities include oversight and coordination of all IRCT activities in relation with the Libya project. After working as an educator, teacher of disabled children and working with the Red Cross in France, Wissame completed project and field management missions with MSF in Pakistan, Ivory Coast, Mali, Libya, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. He has worked in Libya in the delivery of emergency health care and in responses to violence against women in Benghazi. Wissame graduated in psychology specializing in Child Development and in addition completed a one year long intensive program in emergency assistance and humanitarian responses at the Bioforce Institute in France. Languages: Arabic, French and English.
E-mail: wf@irct.org
Great Lakes Project Manager (recruited and in post end April 2013)
Based in Kigali, Rwanda
Exequiel Taylor, Student Assistant
Tel: (+45) 36 93 87 44 / Email: et@irct.org
Regional Coordinators:
Marion Staunton, Asia Regional Coordinator
Based in the region
Responsibilities include oversight and coordination of all IRCT activities in relation with the Asia region. Marion has extensive experience in the psychosocial field in Sri Lanka including most recently for 4 years with the Asia Foundation where she was the Program Director/Chief of Party for two major projects funded by USAID and EIDHR on torture and trauma. Prior to this Marion was the Psychosocial Project Manager and Coordinator for 3 years with the International Organization for Migration, managing their projects under the Emergency Response Unit in Sri Lanka. Prior to joining IOM Marion taught for 2 years at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in the Department of Psychiatry. Marion also contributed to teaching in the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Colombo. Marion holds a PhD in Psychology and a MSc in Applied Psychology. Languages: English.
E-mail: mst@irct.org
Africa Regional Coordinator (recruited and in post 1 April 2013)
Based in Kampala, Uganda
MENA Regional Coordinator (recruited and soon in post)
Europe Regional Coordinator (under recruitment)
Based in Brussels, Belgium
Latin America Regional Coordinator (under recruitment)
Health Team
Joost J den Otter, Head of Health Team, Clinical Director
Responsibilities include coordination of the medical staff and liaison with senior clinical advisory group. Moreover, deals with issues relating to asylum - and detention related issues. Involved in the NSA project and participating in assignments common to the health staff. Editor in chief of TORTURE journal. Previous experience includes family practice, child and youth psychiatry and direct health care delivery to refugees, asylum seekers and prisoners, as well as consultancy work related to prison & health at the Dutch correctional Institute and Refugee & Health at Pharos, centre of Excellence on Refugee and Health. Former chair of the Dutch Health and Human Rights Organization Johannes Wier. PhD, MD, Public health specialist, MSc clinical epidemiology.
Tel.: (+45) 36 39 87 03 / E-mail jdo@irct.org
Administration and Finance Team
Annette Them Serup, Head of Administration and Finance
Responsibilities include input to the strategic direction of IRCT from a finance perspective, day to day management of accounting procedures and controls, development and roll out of appropriate and transparent financial procedures and systems, as well as the development of compliant and timely financial reporting for internal and external users.
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 25 / E-mail: ats@irct.org
Eva Barfod, Chief Accountant
Main responsibilities include book-keeping, salary administration and financial reporting. Forty years’ experience working in finance. Diploma in Specialised Business Studies. Languages: Danish, English, German (basic) and French (basic).
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 05 / E-mail: eb@irct.org
Inge Frandsen, Finance and Administration Officer
Works mainly with accounting, payments, and general administration in the administration and finance group. Has long administrative experience from commercial companies. Languages: Danish and English.
Tel.: (+45) 36 93 87 28 / E-mail: if@irct.org
