The Norwegian Human Rights Fund is looking for a Consultant in Pakistan

The Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) is seeking an experienced consultant to support our human rights work in Pakistan. The consultant will play a key role in advising NHRF on our work in Pakistan, providing contextual insights, and contributing to strategic planning for our engagement in the country. This part-time consultancy offers a unique opportunity to work closely with grassroots organizations and strengthen efforts to combat discrimination and marginalization, promote access to justice, and protect human rights defenders. 

• Starting date: 02.01.2026 

• Contract duration: 1-year contract with possible renewals 

• Approximately 4 days a month

• Daily rate will be set according to experience within the framework of NHRFs salary policy 

The main role of the consultant is to advice the NHRF in our funding of human rights projects in Pakistan in close coordination with our Programme advisor by:   

• Assisting NHRF’s Programme Advisor in the review of proposals submitted to NHRF, providing contextual insight and due diligence concerning the applicant’s background

• Some monitoring and evaluation of projects and organisations, including visits to and follow-up of grantee partners, as agreed in each case 

• Some networking with the aim of developing the portfolio (both in terms of finding new grantees and provide strategic alliances and connections for existing grantees) 

• Contributing to strategic planning of the NHRF’s engagement in Pakistan, including fundraising 

• Assist with identifying the needs of grantees and how NHRF may support them 

• Other tasks within the scope of advising, informing and supporting the NHRF and our grantee partners 

The work content and amount will be led by Oslo-based Program Advisor for our Pakistan portfolio. The program advisor will set up a workplan for each month in coordination with the consultant. Please note that while the average working time per month is 4 days, the amount of work from one month to another can vary with the needs. 

• Extensive experience in the country, especially with work on human rights issues (minimum 5-7 years) 

• Solid network of contacts 

• Good reputation among human rights actors and organisations in the country 

• Proven experience in working with grassroot organisations 

• Demonstrates exceptional organizational and communication skills 

• Fluent (orally and in writing) in English and Urdu (other local languages is a plus) 

• Consultant is based in Pakistan and have the right to work in the country  

• Experience with project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation 

• Experience in protection and security of human rights defenders is desirable 

• Experience in fundraising is desirable 

• We are looking for a team player with the ability to be flexible and to give input to new ways of working

Please send your CV and short Letter of Interest to Program Advisor in The Norwegian Human Rights Fund  reidun.ryland@nhrf.no by 13.10.2025. Please mark the e-mail “Consultancy Pakistan”. The letter should clarify your motivation for applying and how your experience and background match the NHRF’s list of qualifications needed for this position. The letter should not exceed 1-page, and it should include two professional references. Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered.    

First time interviews will be digital, while second interviews of short-listed candidates will be held in person in Lahore and Karachi, between 19th of November and 2nd of December.

Note that the NHRF is a small organization with limited administrative capacity, but we will let everyone know the status of their application when a decision is made. Please be patient as this may take 6-8 weeks.

The NHRF was established in 1988 and sprung out of Norwegian civil society, academia and workers’ unions. The following organisations and institutions contribute strategically, professionally and financially to the NHRF’s work and are represented in the NHRF’s board:   

• Amnesty International Norway 

• Norwegian Centre for Human Rights 

• The Atlas Alliance 

• The Church of Norway Council on Ecumenical and International Relations  

• The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions  

The NHRF has a head office in Oslo with consultants in six countries, as well as a country office in Colombia. In addition, the NHRF works closely with its network of owner organisations and extended human rights network.   

The NHRF has been supporting local human rights organisations in Pakistan as one of our prioritized countries since 2002. At present NHRF supports organisations working against marginalization of workers in the domestic, brick kiln and agricultural sectors. However, the aim is to expand the portfolio within all three of our thematic areas; 1) fight against impunity and access to justice, 2) dismantling discrimination, inequality and marginalisation, and 3) protecting human rights defenders and the right to defend rights.    

To read more about the NHRF and where and how we work, please see:   www.nhrf.no