Access to Information Programme

Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is seeking qualified staff for deepening its work on people’s right to information in South Asian countries. The following positions are vacant in its Access to Information Programme.

Senior Programme Officer (South Asia)

Job Description

Responsibilities include anchoring the development of a community of practice on the right to information; overseeing the development and updating of RTI content on the network’s web platform; moderating email discussion group on RTI; researching best practices and stories of use of RTI for enhancing transparency and accountability; compiling and collating the contributions of members of the email discussion group and archiving them for posterity on the web platform; advocacy with governments in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for securing access effective implementation of Right to Information (RTI) laws; capacity-building of civil society organisations to understand and use these laws at the community level by designing and conducting workshops; expanding and deepening CHRI’s outreach in the South Asian region and design and draft well-researched publications on RTI.

Ideal Qualifications:

• Postgraduate or research degree in law or social sciences

• In depth knowledge (academic and practical) of the provisions of the RTI laws of at least one South Asian country

• Experience in documenting successes and failures in RTI-based interventions

• Experience of moderating email discussion groups and or use of social media for mobilization of opinion on issues of public interest
• Experience of policy advocacy on human rights and social justice issues

• Experience in adult training methodologies
• High levels of competence in research and analytical skills

• High levels of competence in articulation (verbal and writing) in English and at least one national official language in Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Bangladesh

• Proven ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and creativity, and proven capacity to think and act strategically

• Excellent computer skills, including word processing, email and internet research and
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of commitment to work under minimal supervision.

The selected candidate will be based in Delhi and will be required to travel to South Asian countries as and when required.

Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels.

To apply: Please send your updated CV, a statement of interest clearly mentioning why you are suitable for the position, with contact details of two referees and a recent writing sample to  vinu@humanrightsinitiative.org