The Federal Institute for Human Rights is recruiting its director for 2027

The Federal Institute for Human Rights (FIHR) is launching a public competition to recruit its director, a full-time statutory mandate of six years at level A4, reserved for candidates from the French-speaking linguistic group. The notice is published in the Belgian Official Gazette of Monday, August 31, 2026 (196th year, No. 194), under reference C − 2026/006388, on page 47497. The position will be filled towards the end of the current director’s mandate, in January 2027.

A national human rights institution

Created by the law of May 12, 2019, the FIHR is an independent public institution that ensures, in collaboration with other organizations, the respect, knowledge, and awareness of human rights in Belgium. It is accredited by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) as a national human rights institution (NHRI), possesses federal competence and a residual mandate, and operates bilingually in French and Dutch.

In accordance with Article 16 of the founding law of the FIHR of May 12, 2019, the position is reserved for candidates from the French-speaking linguistic group. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Board of Directors and will lead a committed team of 27 people, in close collaboration with the 4 members of the Senior Management Team.

Missions of the position

The director contributes to defining the institution’s priorities and represents it in public debate. Their main tasks include, in particular:

• the strategic direction of the FIHR: development of strategic and annual plans, budgetary monitoring via parliamentary grants, advocacy for the strengthening of the institution’s status and mandate;
• the representation of the FIHR in national and international networks and forums, as well as the role of spokesperson for the press;
• the daily management of the institute with the Senior Management Team, the preparation and execution of the Board of Directors’ decisions, and the development of the personnel framework.

Profile, conditions, and remuneration

Candidates must hold a university degree or a long-type higher education degree, preferably a master’s in law or other human sciences, recognized in Belgium, as well as at least six years of relevant professional experience in a leadership position. Proficiency in French at level C2 and Dutch at level C1 (understanding and speaking) and B2 (writing) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required, along with a functional knowledge of English.

The six-year statutory mandate is remunerated according to salary scale A4, from 43,807 euros (minimum) to 66,202 euros (maximum), to be multiplied by the indexation coefficient of 2.1223 (April 2025). The position offers a package of fringe benefits (hospitalization insurance, free commuting, schooling allowance, meal vouchers), the possibility of teleworking, and flexible hours. The workplace is located at Rue de Louvain 48, 1000 Brussels.

Selection procedure and application

Selection takes place via a competitive process, with the establishment of a recruitment reserve for 12 months (extendable by 12 months). After a pre-selection, the shortlisted candidates will take an anonymized written test, followed by an oral interview on October 23, 2026, then an assessment by an external firm and an interview with the Board of Directors.

Applications must be submitted no later than September 30, 2026, before midnight, exclusively via the online form, and must include a detailed curriculum vitae and a separate cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For any information, candidates may contact the address firm-ifdh@searchselection.com.

A national scope for human rights

This recruitment is of particular importance for the protection and promotion of human rights in Belgium: the future director will be the public face of a nationally recognized institution accredited internationally, called upon to represent the country in debates and forums dedicated to fundamental rights. The appointment, expected for January 2027, will mark the renewal of the leadership of a federal body whose residual mandate and federal competence make it a key player in the Belgian institutional landscape.

Source: Moniteur belge, 196th year, No. 194, Monday, August 31, 2026, p. 47497 — IFDH recruitment notice, reference C − 2026/006388.