The International Secretariat of Amnesty International needs a researcher to take up a fixed term role in its South America team.
About the role
As a research-based campaigning organization, investigating and documenting human rights issues is fundamental to our advocacy and lobbying work. Our South America team requires a researcher to take the lead in initiating human rights research and action on the Americas by providing country and thematic expertise, excellent research skills and sound political judgement. Your task will be to monitor, investigate and analyze political, legal and social developments and human rights conditions, give authoritative advice on these areas and prepare human rights action materials.
About you
With experience of working on human rights issues, you will have worked in or have substantial knowledge of South America, particularly with specialist knowledge of Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. You’ll have a background in either activism, academia, law or journalism with the ability to identify and thoroughly investigate those issues and ensure our voice has authority.
You will also have proven research and writing skills and the ability to be impartial and think strategically. Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish, including excellent writing skills, is essential.
About us
Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, fairness, freedom and truth wherever they’re denied. Already our network of almost three million members and supporters is making a difference in 150 countries. And whether we’re applying pressure through powerful research or direct lobbying, mass demonstrations or online campaigning, we’re all inspired by hope for a better world. One where human rights are respected and protected by everyone, everywhere.
Job SummaryAs Amnesty International's lead expert on specific countries or other geographical or thematic areas, to lead on the development and implementation of overarching research and campaigning strategies to deliver impact in relation to agreed priorities, providing research expertise, research management, political judgment and analytical, communication and representational skills. Reporting to: Programme Director / Deputy Programme Director Posts that this job manages: This post has no line management responsibility. However, the researcher participates in the coordination of the work of the team, other participants in research and campaigning projects, temporary staff and team volunteers. Other key relationships: The researcher works in close collaboration with the campaigner and the research and campaign assistant and, where relevant, other posts in the International Secretariat and in the Amnesty International movement. Job Description
To lead on the development and implementation of overarching research and campaigning strategies to deliver impact in relation to agreed priorities on specific countries or other geographical or thematic areas, including strategies to identify the most effective ways to address human rights concerns; and to lead on designing specific projects and producing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating plans for both these and initiatives originated by others
To monitor, research, investigate and analyze human rights-related developments in order to provide timely, accurate, independent and impartial assessments and expert advice on the human rights situation in the relevant countries or other geographical or thematic areas
To organize, take part in and lead, where agreed, field research and other missions, leading specifically on information-gathering, fact-finding, analysis and assessment of human rights concerns, including in response to crisis situations; prepare, where necessary, security assessments, political and other briefings in relation to the mission for International Secretariat management, mission participants and internal or external stakeholders; and represent Amnesty International in the field
To represent Amnesty International to external stakeholders, including in governmental, inter-governmental and various public forums, as well as to all forms of news media, civil society organizations and political, economic and other actors; and to communicate Amnesty International's concerns, positions and, where relevant, campaign strategies to external and internal stakeholders
To develop and maintain effective constituencies of public and confidential contacts and partners in and outside the organization - such as human rights activists, members of legal and other professions, United Nations agencies and governmental representatives - to optimize information gathering and verification and the development and implementation of effective strategies and plans
To write reports and other materials for publication and internal use and contribute to and provide expert advice in relation to written and other materials produced by other programmes
To manage research, oversee the research work carried out by the team and others and, as appropriate, to contribute to the selection of external consultants and supervise, support, coordinate and provide expert advice on their work
To contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective information management system
To contribute to the development of programme-wide strategies and plans for research and campaigning and provide input into internal discussions on the Amnesty International mission, policy, organizational and other issues in order to increase the effectiveness of Amnesty International's work
In consultation with management, to participate in the coordination of the work of the team, including through setting priorities, preparing work plans, monitoring their progress and contributing to maintaining basic budgets
To contribute to the overall flexibility of resource use and provide cover for other programme staff as agreed with management
To perform all necessary administrative tasks to ensure effective self-servicing, participate in the recruitment and induction of new staff and consultants and perform other corporate tasks as appropriate.
What does success look like in this job?A successful researcher will have developed and implemented an effective and deliverable strategy on the countries, other geographical areas or themes in her/his brief; produced, implemented, monitored and evaluated related action plans within set deadlines; practised rigorous analysis and identified critical issues in a timely fashion; maintained and developed effective networks and written high quality reports and other materials for publication and internal use; and effectively represented Amnesty International and communicated its key messages. S/he will have contributed to the effective functioning of the team, and to the implementation of Amnesty International's mission, upholding Amnesty International's values at all times. Skills & Experience
1. Proven experience of undertaking research on human rights or related issues;
2. Specialist knowledge and preferably first hand experience of the geographical and/or thematic areas in your brief and an in-depth understanding of the nature of key human rights concerns, as well as political, social, legal, economic, cultural, ethnic, racial and gender issues in them;
3. Ability to exercise good political judgment, thorough analysis and diplomacy;
4. Ability to develop effective strategies to impact on human rights in the region;
5. Ability to represent Amnesty International to external stakeholders; and to communicate Amnesty International's concerns, positions and, where relevant, strategies to external and internal stakeholders;
6. Proven experience of writing research materials for a variety of audiences;
7. Ability to understand and express ideas in English and, where applicable, other relevant languages, in a fluent, clear and concise way, both orally and in writing; draft text in a variety of styles, e.g. documents such as substantial reports, government correspondence and media and action materials;
8. Ability to deal in a sensitive and understanding manner with a variety of people, including survivors of human rights violations and others who may be distressed;
9. Experience of working in a team and understanding of the importance of efficient communications for the coordination and effective functioning of teams;
10. Demonstrated commitment to human rights, e.g. through previous work, membership of an organization, involvement in advocacy of human rights, etc.;
11. Experience of managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities;
12. Understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender issues as well as a commitment to apply relevant policies
Terms and Conditions
Salary: Full time salary of £41,124 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: London
Contract duration: Fixed term maternity cover contract of up to one year in duration, starting from 1st July 2011 or as soon as possible thereafter
Holidays: Full time staff receive 27 days per annum plus two Amnesty International grace day and statuatory and national public holidays.
Office hours: 09.30 - 17.30 or 10.00 - 18.00 by arrangement
Life insurance: Amnesty International provide a Death in Service benefit of 4 x gross salary.
Pension: After six consecutive months of service staff are automatically enrolled in the Amnesty International Superannuation Scheme. This is a defined contribution to which Amnesty International contributes 7.5% of gross salary and will match individual employee contributions up to an additional 3%.
Probation: A six month probation period will be included in the contract for this position.
Relocation: A generous relocation assistance package will be available for staff members (and their dependents) recruited from over 80km/50 miles from the International Secretariat office in which the post is based.
Work Permit: Should it be possible to obtain a UK work permit for this post? Individuals should ascertain their eligibility to work in the UK in this post before applying for a London based job with Amnesty International by using the points based calculator at http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator. Health and Safety: All staff are required to comply with Amnesty International's policy and rules relating to Health and Safety and its security regulations at work.Equality StatementEquality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff, volunteers and interns are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.Conflict of InterestPublic or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with AI's principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed.External Advert Closing Date08-Jun-2011
