Location: Bangladesh

Number of openings: One (1) for Bangladesh

Period of the Assignment: Jan 2021 to Sept 2021

About CHRI

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organisation headquartered in New Delhi, with offices in London, United Kingdom and Accra, Ghana. Since 1987, it has worked for the practical realisation of human rights across 54 Commonwealth countries. CHRI specialises in the areas of Access to Justice (Police and Prison Reforms), Access to Information (Right to Information) and Freedom of Opinion and Expression. It researches, monitors, and advocates for accountability, transparency and good governance, and strives for legislative change.

The South Asia Media Defenders Network (SAMDEN), founded in 2017 and anchored in CHRI, has membership of more than 60 media professionals across South Asia. It seeks to support media workers by helping them work securely, monitoring intimidation and attacks against freedom of expression, and pressing for greater openness and accountability.

In July 2019 CHRI launched the Commonwealth 8.7 Network, which facilitates partnerships between grassroots NGOs that share a common vision to eradicate contemporary forms of slavery in Commonwealth countries. With a membership of approximately 60 NGOs from all five regions, the network serves as a knowledge-sharing platform for country-specific and thematic issues and good practice, and to strengthen collective advocacy.

CHRI has special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and is accredited to the Commonwealth Secretariat. It is recognised for its expertise by governments, oversight bodies and civil society and is registered as a society in India.

Website: www.humanrightsinitiative.org

CHRI is looking for one (1)  Project officer based  Bangladesh, for a project to document disinformation in the critical initial months of COVID-19 in three countries of South Asia, Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

Job Description:

Responsibilities include:

• recording and analysing the spread of fake news, disinformation, misinformation leading to hate and discrimination during the pandemic;
• documenting online research on the migration crisis induced by the enforcement of the lockdown;
• collating stories on incidents of racism, hatred and communal discrimination in TV, digital news media and social media;
• collating government and civil society response to the migration crisis, mis/disinformation and fake news, and incidents of racism and hatred during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• populating the project’s online repository; writing articles and analytical pieces on the for the repository; and identifying sources (organisations, collectives and individuals) for relevant content to the project.

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

• Graduate degree in social sciences or mass media/journalism. A Master’s degree or PG Diploma would strengthen the application
• High levels of competence in online research, and analytical skills
• Proven documentation skills and familiarity with developing online repositories
• Multimedia savvy, displaying the ability to work with text, video or image formats
• Knowledge of national news media, government ministries and their functioning
• Ability to articulate clearly and simply (verbal and written) in English and Hindi or Nepali/ Bangla (for Nepal and Bangladesh).
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports
• Ability to fact-check

Qualifications:

• Experience of 3 years in the fields of development/ human rights/ journalism
• Work experience (minimum of three years) as a reporter or editor in a professional media organization would be to the advantage of the applicant
• Knowledge of migration, discrimination or dis/information, fake news
• Experience in conducting research surveys and analysing content
• Familiarity with academic research and writing

Remuneration will be commensurate with knowledge and experience levels.

Interested candidates should apply with:

• Current CV
• Cover letter
• Three samples of recent writing or multimedia material
• Two references from professionals

The deadline for applications is Jan 22, 2021. Please send applications to vinu@humanrightsinitiative.org, marking a copy to aditya@humanrightsinitiative.org. As CHRI’s office is not fully functional due to the COVID epidemic, applications sent by post are likely to remain undelivered.

Please use this subject line: Project Officer, [specify country] – Media Project.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.