Location: New Delhi

Time Commitment:  Full-time

Duration: 1 year.

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), India is an independent, non-partisan, human rights non-governmental organisation working for the practical realisation of human rights. Access to Information and Access to Justice are two focus areas of CHRI’s work. For more information, please visit: www.humanrightsinitiative.org.

CHRI is looking for a Senior Programme Officer for its Access to Justice - Police Reforms Programme. The position will be based at CHRI’s office in New Delhi, and is supported by the Chhelbhai Dave Police Reforms Project of the Jatashankar T. Pathak Charitable Trust (JTPCT).

Job Description

Responsibilities include:

• Research on laws, standards and issues related to policing, police accountability and human rights; particularly research and document credible information, cases, and compile standards on accountability, identify the bottlenecks in the system, engage with oversight bodies, and push for systemic change
• Collect, compile and maintain data on policing and police accountability issues
• Research, write and edit reports, documents and policy papers on policing
• Write articles and prepare advocacy material for circulation through print, electronic, and social media
• Prepare research and advocacy documents related to police accountability and citizens’ rights for different audiences
• Organise workshops and prepare relevant training material
• Develop and maintain effective networks with diverse stakeholders, including police, government, civil society, National Human Rights Commission and other oversights bodies as required, judicial officers, and media; and maintain a database of contacts
• Represent CHRI at relevant conferences and meetings, as required 
• Manage and assist, as needed, with activities including team strategy planning and overseeing the work of project and/or research officers
• Lead the planning and execution of assigned projects
• Other programme-related tasks as necessary

Essential Qualifications

• Strong commitment to human rights
• Master’s degree or higher in law or social sciences
• At least 5 years’ experience of working on issues relating to the criminal justice system
• High levels of competence in research and analysis
• High levels of competence in articulation (verbal and written) in English and Hindi (essential); Knowledge of any other VIII schedule language (desirable)
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of initiative and creativity 
• Good computer skills, including internet based research

Salary: Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels

To apply: Interested candidates may apply with a CV, a cover letter, two references and two writing samples of 2-4 pages length to vinu@humanrightsinitiative.org with a cc to venkatesh@humanrightsinitiative.org.

Please use this subject line: Appilcation for Senior Programme Officer Vacancy, Police Reforms Programme.

Last date of submission is 10 May 2024. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. We regret we cannot reply to every applicant. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Eligible candidates belonging to the marginalised and vulnerable sections of society are encouraged to apply.