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The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-partisan, international human rights NGO based in New Delhi, India, has offices in London, UK and Accra, Ghana, and working for the practical realisation of human rights in the countries of the Commonwealth. CHRI particularly focuses on access to information, access to justice, and monitors the Commonwealth and its member states from the lens of human rights.

At Present we have the following openings for which applications are invited:

Strategic Initiatives Programme (SIP)

Director's Office

Access To Information Program

Police Reforms Programme

Prisons Reforms Programme

Volunteer, Media Unit

Coordinator, CHRI London Office

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Strategic Initiatives Programme (SIP)

1. Programme Officer, Strategic Initiatives Programme (monitors human rights performance of Commonwealth member-states, in-country and at international forums)

CHRI is looking for a Programme Officer to carry out research and advocacy on the engagement of Commonwealth countries with UN human rights mechanisms. The Programme Officer will be based full-time at CHRI’s headquarters in New Delhi.

Job Description

Monitor the performance of Commonwealth countries at the UN Human Rights Council and during the Universal Periodic Review process.
Conduct advocacy campaigns at the UN Human Rights Council
Research and draft reports for publication, articles for CHRI’s newsletter, Op/Eds for daily newspapers across the Commonwealth, submissions to the Universal Periodic Review, letters to governments and oral and written statements to be presented at sessions of the Human Rights Council
Develop relationships with diplomats, government officials and civil society groups
Represent CHRI at official meetings related to the UN
Assist with other work within the Strategic Initiatives Programme, as required

Essential Qualifications:

Responsibilities include:

Master’s Degree in Law, International Relations, Political Science or a related field
At least 2 years of experience in human rights monitoring, researching and reporting
Demonstrated knowledge of the UN human rights machinery
Exceptional ability to communicate in English, verbal and written
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative
Ability to network with a wide variety of actors

Desirable qualifications:

Experience of working at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Experience of working in a South-based human rights organisation

Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels.

Interested candidates should apply with:
• a current CV;
• a cover letter;
• one writing sample (no longer than four pages); and
• contact details of two referees

Applications should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 15th December 2012. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

2. Consultant/Senior Researcher to lead IBSA (India Brazil South Africa Dialogue Forum) and Human Rights and Foreign Policy Project in the Strategic Initiatives Programme

Job Description

CHRI seeks a consultant/senior researcher for a one year project to scope out possibilities of IBSA countries approaching foreign policy through a human rights lens. The consultant will be based full-time at CHRI’s headquarters in New Delhi. The Consultant will:

Be the point person for liaising with the Indian foreign policy community, Indian and international civil society and the media.
Design and implement a series of workshops on IBSA and human rights for the media and civil society
Research and analyse human rights and foreign policy dynamics in IBSA countries in the run-up to the IBSA Summit in New Delhi in March 2013 - and devise a strategic plan for CHRI’s future work in the area.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

Master’s Degree in International Relations, Political Science, International Law or a related field essential.
Proven experience in researching and publishing on foreign policy and human rights either in the Indian context or in the context of IBSA/ PhD-level academic work in the area of foreign policy and human rights
Demonstrable interest in human rights, including sympathy to the idea that human rights considerations should be a significant factor in a country’s foreign policy decisions.
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative.
Ability to network with a wide variety of actors

Desirable qualifications:

Working knowledge of one or more official Indian languages and prior knowledge and experience in Indian policy circles.
Salary: Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels.

Interested candidates should apply with:

a current CV;
a cover letter;
one writing sample (no longer than four pages); and
two references

Applications should be addressed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it latest by 15th December 2012. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Researcher - Director's Office

Are you a super-quick whiz on the net that loves law and policy based research for human rights advocacy and reform? Are you skilled at writing in simple language on different topics for a variety of audiences? Would you like to work with and learn from our dynamic Director on a daily basis? Then this is the job for you and it is in New Delhi.

Who are we? We are the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. We are an international non-governmental organisation based in New Delhi, with offices in Accra and London. We work for the practical realisation of human rights in the Commonwealth. We particularly work on access to information, police accountability and prisoner’s rights. We also monitor the Commonwealth and its member states from the lens of human rights.

Before you apply, please make sure you know enough about our work from our website www.humanrightsinitiative.org. If you continue to be interested, and are willing to give at minimum two years to this job, please apply with your CV, a cover note explaining why you think you are suitable for the position, two references and one page of original writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 15th December 2012.

Please note that our salaries are modest and this job will be more a learning opportunity than an earning opportunity.

Access To Information Programme

(i) Senior Project Officer (South Asia)

Job Description

The Senior Project Officer will anchor and oversee the development of a community of practice around the right to information. They will be primarily responsible for building and fostering this community of RTI experts. The community will share experiences and knowledge through an online web platform, and in-person meetings and workshops. They will also facilitate the community collective advocacy and research efforts.

Essential Qualifications:

Responsibilities include:

Overseeing the development and updating of RTI content on the network’s web platform
Moderating an online discussion group on RTI
Researching best practices and stories of use of RTI to enhance transparency and accountability
Compiling and collating the discussions 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.

Desirable 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. Please apply with your CV, a cover note explaining why you think you are suitable for the position, two references to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 15th March 2013.

(ii) Project Officer (South Asia)

Job Description

The Project Officer will work primarily on developing a community of practice around right to information. They will be help build and foster this community of RTI experts. The community will share experiences and knowledge through an online web platform, and in-person meetings and workshops. They will also facilitate the community collective advocacy and research efforts.

Essential Qualifications:

Postgraduate or research degree in law or social sciences
Reasonable knowledge of the provisions of the RTI laws of at least one South Asian country
Experience of using RTI for the bringing about transparency and accountability in public interest
Experience with email discussion groups and or use of social media for mobilization of opinion on issues of public interest
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
Ability to work in a team
Excellent computer skills, including word processing, email and internet research and
Self-motivated with a strong sense of commitment to work under minimal supervision.

Job Descriptions:

Postgraduate or research degree in law or social sciences
Reasonable knowledge of the provisions of the RTI laws of at least one South Asian country
Experience of using RTI for the bringing about transparency and accountability in public interest
Experience with email discussion groups and or use of social media for mobilization of opinion on issues of public interest
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
Ability to work in a team
Excellent computer skills, including word processing, email and internet research and
Self-motivated with a strong sense of commitment to work under minimal supervision.

Police Reforms Programme

(i) Programme Officer, Police Reforms Programme (South Asia)

The programme focuses on promoting police accountability and reform in Commonwealth South Asia including Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The programme officer will spearhead its growing work on Police Reforms in the region.

Job Description

The successful applicant will be part of a Delhi-based team. The work includes activities ranging from conducting workshops and consultations in the region, providing legal and comparative technical input on policing issues, building networks with diverse groups (including governments, police, civil society and media), and assisting with management activities (such as team strategy, fundraising, and donor reporting). In addition, the candidate will be required to remain abreast of developments in the region related to policing and plan advocacy on topical issues on an ongoing basis.

Essential Qualifications:

Candidates should have a minimum of 5-7 years professional work experience, with strong academic qualifications in law, social sciences or other security or criminal justice related fields. Candidates must possess exceptional research, writing and editing skills, as well as outstanding oral communication abilities in English. Language skills in Urdu, Bangla or Hindi are highly desirable. Knowledge of human rights, policing, or security sector reform is preferred, as is experience in planning and implementing advocacy strategies. An understanding of South Asia politics is desirable.

The position is suitable for an energetic, enthusiastic and creative person who is a self-starter and interested in being based at an international organisation working out of the global south. The salary package is negotiable, but is based on moderate local wages. Candidates must be adaptable and able to work effectively in a challenging environment.

Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels.

Application procedure for above vacancy

Please apply with:

1 page Cover Letter explaining why you think you are suitable for the job
Résumé, of no more than 3 pages
One writing sample indicative of your research, analysis and writing skills (no more than 5-6 pages)
Contact details of two references, who can vouch for the professional competence of the candidate

Applications should be sent only by email to CHRI at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 31st March 2013. Applicants are requested to mention in the subject line, the specific post for which they would like to be considered. Please ensure that you send all essential documents mentioned above. Candidates selected for the job will be required to produce original certificates for verification of their claim regards educational qualification. [Download JD]

Volunteer, Police Reforms Programme, CHRI

Position : Volunteer

JUST OUT OF LAW SCHOOL? INTERESTED IN HUMAN RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL? CARE ABOUT COMMUNICATING WITH WIDER AUDIENCES? Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), an INGO based in New Delhi, is looking for a volunteer to assist its police reforms programme. The programme works from the belief that in a democracy, a policeman is merely a citizen in uniform providing a lawful service to the population. (S)He should be held strictly accountable for any breach, the culture of impunity that pervades the system should go, and citizens must compel that change.

Tasks include:

Content writing, editing and bringing out the quarterly electronic newsletter of the Network for Improved Policing in South Asia (NIPSA);
Maintenance and upkeep of the existing Facebook and other electronic social media outreach activities of the programme;
Maintenance and upkeep of the databases for the programme.

If you think this is the job for you, please visit our website http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org, and the NIPSA website www.nipsa.org to get to know more about our work. If you are still interested, and are willing to give at minimum one year to this job, please apply with your CV, two references and one page of original writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 31st March 2013. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that this is a volunteer position. The volunteer may be offered a monthly allowance of between Rs.5000-10000, based on qualifications and the period of commitment.

Prisons Reforms Programme

CHRI is presently seeking qualified staff for deepening its work on legal aid, effective representation and fair trial in Rajasthan and West Bengal. The CHRI Prison Reforms Programme has worked in India for more than a decade. CHRI’s work is focused on increasing transparency of a traditionally closed system and exposing malpractice. A major area of work is checking gaps and failures of the legal system that result in terrible overcrowding and unconscionably long pre-trial detention and prison overstays, and engaging in interventions to ease this. We believe that attention to these areas will bring improvements to the administration of prisons as well as have a knock-on effect on the administration of justice overall.

The following five positions are vacant in its Prisons Reforms Initiative under Access to Justice Programme:

Position I: Senior Programme Officer, Prisons Reforms (Delhi, India)

Job Description

Conceptualizing, designing, managing and monitoring CHRI’s research projects on pre-trial detention
Designing and facilitating legal education programmes for lawyers; paralegal training of jail officials, prison inmates, and civil society;
Guiding and mentoring staff and trainee lawyers;
Preparing advocacy documents for agencies in the criminal justice system, the government, and media;
Drafting petitions and memorandums;
Programme monitoring;
Documentation, internal and external reporting, coordination with programme partners;
Representing CHRI as required at various levels.

Essential Qualifications:

Postgraduate or graduate degree in law
5 -8 years experience of practice in court
High levels of competence in legal research and analytical skills
Excellent knowledge of fair trial procedures
High levels of competence in articulation (verbal and writing) in English and Hindi
Proven ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and creativity, and proven capacity to think and act strategically
Excellent computer skills, especially in Microsoft Office and internet research
Strong sense of commitment to work
Readiness to travel at short notice

Desirable qualifications:

Experience in designing and conducting workshops / trainings for lawyers, prison officials, jail inmates, government and civil society
Experience in legal aid, public defense, public interest litigation and legal reform
Experience of advocacy and network building
Experience of working in a multi-cultural office environment
Knowledge of other regional languages

The Senior Programme Officer will be based in Delhi and travel as required to other parts of the country.
The position is suitable for an energetic, enthusiastic and creative person interested in working at the cutting edge of access to justice issues. Candidate must be adaptable and able to work effectively as a member of a team in a multicultural environment.

Type of Appointment and duration: Contractual with a 6 months probation period. Please apply only if you are willing to work with us a minimum of two years.
Salary: 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it latest by 10th April 2013.

Position II: Senior Consultant, Rajasthan, India

Job Description

The Senior Consultant will have primary responsibility for conceptualizing, managing and monitoring CHRI’s demonstration project on legal aid, effective representation and fair trial in Rajasthan. Responsibilities include:

Training, supervision and mentoring of legal aid / pro-bono lawyers;
Overseeing court observations with lawyers and students
Overseeing legal aid clinics in prisons;
Building networks for public defense and legal aid for prisoners;
Defending needy clients in court when required;
Conducting paralegal training of jail officials, prison inmates, and civil society;
Advocacy and networking with various governments and non-government agencies in Rajasthan;
Coordination with programme partners;
Programme monitoring;
Project documentation, internal and external reporting;
Developing and disseminating periodic newsletter in Hindi

Essential Qualifications:

Postgraduate or graduate degree in law
8-10 years experience of practice in court
Excellent knowledge of fair trial procedures
Experience in designing and conducting workshops / trainings for lawyers, prison officials, jail inmates, government and civil society
High levels of competence in articulation (verbal and writing) in English and Hindi
Proven ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and creativity, and proven capacity to think and act strategically
Competent with Microsoft Office and internet research
Strong sense of commitment to work
Readiness to travel at short notice

Desirable qualifications:

Experience in legal aid, public defense, public interest litigation/legal reform
Experience in legal research
Experience of collaborative work

The position is suitable for an energetic, enthusiastic and creative person interested in working at the cutting edge of access to justice issues. Candidate must be adaptable and able to work effectively in coordination with team and programme partners.
The Senior Consultant will be based at Jodhpur, Rajasthan and travel as required to other parts of the state.
Type of Appointment and duration: Contractual with a 6 months probation period. Please apply only if you are willing to work with us a minimum of two years.
Salary: 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it latest by 10th April 2013.

Position III: Consultant, Rajasthan, India

Job Description

The Consultant will work in close coordination with the Senior Consultant to manage and monitor CHRI’s demonstration project on legal aid, effective representation and fair trial in Rajasthan. Responsibilities will include:

Overseeing legal aid clinics in prisons;
Overseeing court observations with lawyers and students;
Training and supervision of legal aid / pro-bono lawyers;
Building networks for public defense and legal aid for prisoners;
Defending needy clients in court when required;
Conducting paralegal training of jail officials, prison inmates, and civil society;
Advocacy and networking with various governments and non-government agencies in Rajasthan;
Coordinating and cooperating closely with CHRI staff and consultants;
Programme monitoring;
Coordinating with programme partners;
Drafting petitions and memorandums;
Project-related correspondence, documentation and reporting;
Developing and disseminating periodic newsletter in Hindi.

Essential Qualifications:

Postgraduate or graduate degree in law
At least 5 years experience of practice in court
Competent research and analytical skills
Knowledge of fair trial procedures
Competence in articulation (verbal and writing) in English and Hindi
Proven ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and creativity, and proven capacity to think and act strategically
Competent with Microsoft Office and internet research
Enthusiastic and willing to learn
Readiness to travel
Strong sense of commitment to work

Desirable qualifications:

Experience of working in the field of public defense, prison reforms or legal aid
Experience in policy advocacy at the level of state government
Ability to design and conduct capacity building workshops for lawyers, prison officials, jail inmates, government and civil society
Experience of legal education, public defense, public interest litigation, legal reform
Experience of developing networks
Experience of working in a multi-cultural office environment

The Consultant will be based at Jodhpur, Rajasthan and travel as required to other parts of the state. The position is suitable for an energetic, enthusiastic and creative person interested in working at the cutting edge of access to justice issues. Candidate must be adaptable and able to work effectively in coordination with team and programme partners.

Media Unit, CHRI

Position : Media & Communications Officer

Are you dynamic, articulate, outgoing, well connected, a great writer AND want to change the world? Then we have the job for you!

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative is looking for a media and communications officer. We are an international non-governmental organisation based in New Delhi, with offices in Accra and London. We work for the practical realisation of human rights in the Commonwealth. We particularly work on access to information, police accountability and prisoner’s rights. We also monitor the Commonwealth and its member states from the lens of human rights.

The job requires utmost commitment to creating a good public profile for CHRI and connecting with the relevant interest groups in the organisation’s focus areas. [see www.humanrightsinitiative.org]

The successful candidate will, within a restricted budget, develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for national and international out reach; edit and design in-house publications and website content; create appealing materials for outreach; develop relationships with the mass media; and assist all staff across the organization with writing, editing and media outreach.

Interested? Apply with a CV, a covering letter, two references and one page of original writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 31st January 2013. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered. We regret we cannot reply to every applicant. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The position is based in New Delhi. Gross salary shall be in the range of Rs. 3,60,000 /- to 6,00,000/- per annum. Salary will depend on professional background and experience of the candidate.

Please apply only if you are willing to give at least two years to this position.

Position : Volunteer, Media Unit

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-partisan, international human rights NGO based in New Delhi, India, with offices in London, UK and Accra, Ghana. CHRI works for the practical realisation of human rights in the countries of the Commonwealth; it has a particular focus on access to information, police accountability and prisoner’s rights. It also monitors the Commonwealth and its member states from the lens of human rights.

CHRI is looking for a volunteer to assist its media and communications officer in providing visibility and outreach for CHRI’s programmes and issue areas. This could involve a range of tasks including: building and updating media databases – issue-wise/ region-wise / country-wise as required; making a daily compilation of media stories on CHRI’s issue areas for the programme teams; enhancing CHRI’s outreach through social media; targeted dissemination of CHRI’s publications; getting media coverage for CHRI events, publications and issues; interacting with media persons and getting them to cover our issues; getting staff articles published in the media; drafting press releases and getting the most effective media coverage for them; putting out media information kits; running online campaigns as appropriate and necessary; and when required, putting together CHRI’s quarterly Newsletter.

The position is ideal for an energetic, diligent, cool-headed, self-starting young person, who values the time-consuming and routine tasks as good grounding that prepares one for the more creative aspects of the work.

If you think this is the job for you, please visit our website www.humanrightsinitiative.org, make sure you know enough about our work. If you are still interested, and are willing to give at minimum six months to one year to this job, please apply with your CV, two references and one page of original writing to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 15th December 2012. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note that this is a volunteer position. The volunteer may be offered a monthly allowance of between Rs.5000-10000, based on qualifications and the period of commitment.

Coordinator, CHRI London Office

Position : Coordinator

Are you retired but full of energy & young at heart? Or a mature individual with some time on your hands? Do you have wisdom and experience and want to give something back to the world?

Come be a full time volunteer Head of Office at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.

Our Russell Square Office in London needs your expertise and time to develop its commonwealth wide work on Access to justice and Access to information; Human Rights Commissions and Rights of sexual minorities.

Tasks include working closely with our Delhi Headquarters in advocacy and campaigning, topical writing, guiding young researchers to develop advocacy documents, representation and liaising with national and international officials, networking with civil society organisations, while building the profile and visibility of the organisation. Legal knowledge would be of value.

Write to us at COMMONWEALTH HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE, SCHOOL OF ADVANCE STUDY, SENATE HOUSE, SOUTH BLOCK, 2nd FLOOR, ROOM 233, MALET STREET, LONDON WC1E 7HU, UK, or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it & This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a CV and Letter of Interest latest by 15th December 2012. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be responded.