Legal Research and Advocacy Officer, London office
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is offering an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment, contributing to our human rights programmes in the areas of policy and legal analysis, research and advocacy. You will be part of a small team based in London, working closely with other CHRI offices to conduct critical research and leading on advocacy efforts on CHRI’s thematic areas of focus. This is a mid level role.
About CHRI:
CHRI is an international, independent, non-governmental organisation that works for the practical realisation of human rights through research, advocacy, capacity building, and network engagement. We believe that the promotion and protection of human rights is the responsibility of governments but that the active informed participation of civil society is also vital to ensuring rule of law and the realisation of human rights.
CHRI has offices in London, Accra and New Delhi. Our global work focuses on the intersection of human rights, transparency and good governance. CHRI specialises in the areas of Access to Justice (Police and Prison reforms), Access to Information (Right to Information), Media Freedoms, and Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
CHRI’s work to eradicate contemporary rorms of slavery and human trafficking is led by the London office. The London office also founded and acts as the Secretariat for the Commonwealth 8.7 Network - a group of 60+ local civil society organisations from across the globe who share a common vision to eradicate contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking.
To learn more about the work of CHRI and CHRI London office see our website. For more information on the Commonwealth 8.7 Network, see the network website.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
The post holder will lead on legal research and advocacy efforts for our global programme on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking. Working closely with the other offices, the postholder will also contribute to developing and delivering CHRI’s new work plan for international advocacy on all of CHRI’s human rights themes. This person will be expected to undertake the following responsibilities:
- Lead on legal research and legal policies contributing to CHRI London’s programme work on contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking. Including data collection, drafting, and promotion.
- Lead on advocacy efforts at the UN, with the Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies, UPR or other human rights mechanisms, working closely with leads of thematic programme teams
- Ensure that research, advocacy and campaigning outputs are based on solid evidence.
- Work closely with other team members in CHRI to develop human rights policies and statements.
- Support the capacity building of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network, including the provision of technical advice, as required.
- Oversee research projects on issues of contemporary forms of slavery and other human rights issues, such as the right to information, media freedoms, access to justice.
- Explore the intersectionality of contemporary forms of slavery with other human rights issues and/or marginalised or vulnerable groups.
- Support advocacy and campaign related activities, including the drafting of documents, submissions, statements and articles.
- Manage CHRI London’s anti-slavery partnerships, research projects, ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within budget.
- Oversee and manage the work of team members and interns, as required
- Keep abreast of developments at inter-governmental organisations and in other relevant forums, relevant standards, policies and practices related to contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking, with a view to identifying opportunities for pro-active engagement, and lead on such engagement where appropriate.
- Represent CHRI in international and regional spaces.
- Lead liaison with academic institutions for our research and advocacy internship programme.
- Other general duties related to the programme, as required – we are a small team and flexibility is needed!
Position in Organisation:
- Reports directly to the Director of the CHRI London office
- Works closely with other team members.
- Works with external partners and stakeholders for data collection, or to coordinate collective advocacy.
Person Specification:
With significant technical knowledge of contemporary forms of slavery, including the relevant legal frameworks, you will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and will be experienced in conducting rigorous research and international advocacy.
Essential:
Education:
- At least a master’s degree in human rights law
Experience:
- Substantial expertise and professional experience in human rights law
- Demonstrated expertise in legal and policy analysis, including the application and interpretation of international and national human rights laws
- Demonstrated legal drafting and analytical skills, in English, for example, through experience in the application of international human rights law
- Particular expertise in the area of contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking, including in-depth understanding of related issues, including survivor support, criminal justice mechanisms, international and regional coordination, risk factors and vulnerabilities, and exploitation in supply chains
- Experience working with the legal professions, inter-governmental organisations and/or human rights NGOs
- Demonstrated experience engaging with United National human rights mechanisms
- Strong advisory and communications skills, including with a view to conduct effective advocacy
- Experience working as part of an international, cross-cultural team
Other Skills:
- Able to manage interns and members of teams
- Proactive in identifying new research and advocacy opportunities in line with the organisation’s strategy and workplan
- Excellent communications skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely in English, without need for editorial revision
- A flair for quickly adapting to new ways of working
- Ability to work methodically and independently while knowing when to report upwards
- Ability to organise, prioritise, and deliver high quality products under time constraints and pressure
- Solution-focused with an ability to exercise judgement to solve problems
- Flexibility and adaptability essential to working in an office with a small team
Desirable:
- Good knowledge of human rights issues related to access to justice, freedom of information, media freedoms, marginalised and vulnerable groups would be a significant asset
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
Only candidates who are currently eligible to work in the UK should apply.
Contract: One year, with anticipated extension
Days: 4-5 days per week. Flexible working hour options will be considered.
Location: London, UK. Mostly home based. Will consider other locations.
To Apply: To apply for this position, please forward a one page covering letter and your resume (CV) to london@humanrightsinitiative.org. Please include in your covering letter:
- a summary of your education and professional qualifications;
- the number of years of work experience you have;
- how you meet the requirements of this post;
- and why you are interested in this position.
Please write ‘Application: Legal Research and Advocacy Officer’ in the subject line of your email. All applications should be sent directly to the email address listed above.
Application Deadline: 31 January 2022 - 17.00 GMT.
Please note that the recruitment process will involve a written test and an Interview which will be held online in early February 2022.
Due to the number of applications we expect to receive, only those who are shortlisted will be contacted. We thank you in advance for your application.