Derechos: Human Rights Listings

This post sits in the North Africa team of the Middle East and North Africa Programme and reports directly to the Deputy Programme Director.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Researcher (North Africa Team)

Program: Middle East Region

Cluster: Regional

Grade: C

Reports To: Program Director

Overall Purpose of Job: To contribute to the fulfilment of the North Africa Team's mission, in particular by providing country expertise, research skills and political judgment, to enable the development and implementation of integrated strategies and programs of research and action according to AI's operational guidelines and standards; to take responsibility for and manage the region's research and action program on designated countries, using relevant languages and country knowledge as appropriate.

Primary Tasks:

1. As the researcher with responsibility for specified countries within the brief of the North Africa Team, and according to priorities defined in the Middle East Regional Program's operational plan:

1.1 To monitor, investigate and analyze human rights conditions, including cases and patterns of violations, and political, legal and other developments, by conducting and supervising research within the team and by others, including organizing and leading research missions to countries in the region; recruiting and briefing delegates; arranging trial observations; setting up a network of contacts and specialists both from within the movement and outside; establishing systems for developing source material;

1.2 To lead the timely and effective development and implementation of strategies and actions on designated countries, including setting priorities for research and action on HRVs and issues on which to campaign;

1.3 To provide the IS and relevant AI structures with expert and authoritative advice on human rights violations in specified countries and on political, legal and social developments relevant to AI's mandate and policies in the countries for which s/he has particular responsibility;

1.4 To prepare, in a timely manner, and taking into account the needs of a diverse and multi-cultural movement, materials both for internal and external use, including briefings, reports, letters to governments and action materials as appropriate, and to contribute to documents produced by other programs, such as IGO submissions, thematic and annual reports, media and audio-visual materials and the AI Newsletter;

1.5 To represent AI, both in the field and internationally as appropriate, in relation to NGOs, the media, governments, other national bodies, nges, the movement and the public in general, in consultation with other staff within the Program and in other programs, as appropriate;

1.6 To identify emerging human rights crises in the countries for which s/he is responsible and to initiate urgent response as appropriate in collaboration with relevant programs, regional campaigner and other research and action teams.

2. As a member of the North Africa Team:
2.1 To maintain an overview of political and human rights developments in the sub-region, to participate in the development of integrated country and sub-regional strategies for research, campaigning,
development and the promotion of human rights, being chiefly responsible for the research and action aspects;

2.2 To participate in and facilitate the collective coordination of the work of the team; preparing and agreeing detailed work plans, budgets and schedules; setting priorities; monitoring progress and quality control including approving materials according to relevant guidelines, and adhering to standards; establishing systems to ensure mutual support and accountability; identifying training and development needs and reporting to the Program Director; be available to act, as agreed by the team in consultation with the Program Director, as the coordinator for the team, collecting information based on the agreed work plan and reporting to the Program Director; when not acting as coordinator, then providing cover for specified functions of the team member who is currently coordinator; carrying out own administrative tasks in accordance with the agreed guidelines on self-servicing; to participate in the supervision of temporary staff and volunteers.

3. As a member of the Middle East Regional Program:
3.1 To contribute to internal discussions on mandate, policy and organizational issues;

3.2 To contribute to the overall flexibility of resource use in the team and the Program by deputizing for the Program Director, if required, providing cover for other researchers, and other Program staff as agreed within the team or between Program teams; to delegate research tasks on specified countries as necessary and in consultation with the team; participate as necessary in cross-program or intra- program teams, project teams and matrix teams, with due consideration given to workload implications.

Person Specification:

PERSON SPECIFICATION - RESEARCHER (Middle East)
North Africa Team
CRITERION STANDARD
1 PROVEN RESEARCH SKILLS

Experience of research, ie proven ability to gather and analyse information from a variety of sources; use the information to answer specific questions/make a case/develop strategy The research (academic or journalistic) should demonstrate:
a) ability to identify, assess and develop sources
b) experience of interviewing for information
c) evaluating quality of information
d) ability to relate facts to mandate
e) ability to analyse complex political and social situations
f) ability to summarize research results in a clear format that can be used for action
g) ability to carry out field research either on his/her own or leading a delegation
2 POLITICAL JUDGEMENT AND STRATEGY MAKING The candidate must be able to influence a situation by assessing:
a) what information is needed to make a judgment
b) the position of potentially influential actors in a situation
c) the possible courses of action that might be taken and their implications
d) how and what arguments and approaches should be made in order to carry out a course of action, given the position of the various actors
and:
e) at all times display objectivity, impartiality and sensitivity to nuance, in making a well-reasoned judgment based on the above
f) set priorities and implement strategies
3 EXPERIENCE OF REGION/ KNOWLEDGE OF COUNTRIES

First hand experience of the region in general

Good knowledge of the sub-region with specialist knowledge of at least one of the priority countries in the brief(other than own country). Experience is necessary to give the person:
a) sufficient sensitivity to the various peoples, cultures and gender issues of the region
b) an awareness of security considerations, including the risks involved for contacts in talking to AI representatives
c) a knowledge of what approaches would be appropriate in gathering information
d) how to apply pressure to campaign on human rights' issues in the sub-region/country
e) knowledge of political, social and legal background of at least one of the countries of the sub-region (other than own country).
4 DIPLOMATIC SKILLS a) ability to demonstrate political judgment in a diplomatic arena
b) ability to represent AI to governments, the media, IGOs, NGOs, the membership and the public in general
c) sensitivity to different situations/audiences
5 COMMUNICATION SKILLS
A) Writing Skills a) ability to write clearly and succinctly
b) sensitivity to writing for different audiences
c) accuracy
d) ability to draft in a variety of styles, eg documents such as substantial reports, government correspondence and action materials
B) Oral Communication Skills Ability to:
a) explain complex issues simply and clearly
b) express ideas in a direct and easy fashion
c) take part in policy and organizational discussions
C) Interpersonal Skills Ability to deal with people, both inside AI and outside:
a) in a sensitive and understanding manner
b) being firm when required
c) using diplomatic approach
d) demonstrating sensitivity towards victims and others who may be distressed
6 ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS a) experience of planning, organizing and prioritizing work
b) ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
c) ability to act quickly
d) willingness to be self-servicing within guidelines
7 TEAM SKILLS Ability to participate in the collective coordination of the work of the team by
contributing to:
a) setting priorities for team
b) directing and monitoring the work of the team, including temporary staff and volunteers
c) communicating effectively with other team members
d) motivating others in team
e) appraisal of others' work
f) conflict resolution in team
also:
g) experience of working as a team member
h) willingness to cover as appropriate and take on prime responsibility for coordination of team
i) willingness to participate in cross-program and intra-program teams
8 LANGUAGE SKILLS
a) fluent written and spoken English
b) good working knowledge of Arabic (spoken and comprehension of oral & written Arabic)
c) good working knowledge of French
9 INTEREST IN AND CONCERN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS a) commitment to and willingness to work within AI's mandate
b) broad understanding of human rights, including women’s rights, at the regional and international level
c) commitment to working in a multicultural environment and to AI’s equal opportunities and cultural diversity policy
d) understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender issues and willingness to apply these in work.
10 ABILITY TO DEPUTIZE FOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
a) willingness to familiarize self with AI’s policies and mandate
b) understand and appreciation of importance of administrative procedures and adherence to them
11 OTHER
a) appreciation of security considerations, including the importance of confidentiality in AI's work
b) experience of using new technology
c) experience of membership organization
12 DISQUALIFIERS connection with or membership of any organization which would jeopardize AI's image of impartiality

Terms and conditions of employment are as follows:

Salary Full time salary of £29,826 per annum

Hours 35 hours per week

Location Clerkenwell, central London (other locations may be considered)

Contract duration 5 months temporary contract

Holidays Full time staff receive 27 days per annum plus one Amnesty International grace day and statutory and national public holidays .

Office hours 09.30 - 17.30 or 10.00 - 18.00 by arrangement

Relocation Relocation assistance will be available for staff members (and their dependents) recruited from over 80 km/50 miles from the International Secretariat office in which the post is based.

Life insurance 4 x gross salary

Travel loan Interest free travel loan for bus, underground, or rail travel to work (no qualifying period)

Cultural Diversity All staff will 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.

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.

Please register your interest by emailing your response on the attached word document to Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui (HHadjsahraoui@amnesty.org) by 9am (London time) Monday 7 May 2007 .

Due to the high numbers of applications we regret that we are unable to answer individual queries in relation to posts or on the progress of individual applications - please assume that if you have not been contacted within 6 weeks after the closing date your application has been unsuccessful.