RESEARCH AND CAMPAIGN ASSISTANT, EAST AFRICA

Auto req ID 571BR Title Research and Campaign Assistant, East Africa Team East Africa Programme Africa Advert Amnesty International are looking for a Research and Campaign Assistant to work in the East Africa Team. ABOUT THE ROLE: We are looking a committed Research and Campaigns Assistant to work as part of the Eastern Africa team in the International Secretariat. The Eastern Africa team covers Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia and Sudan. Responsible for managing efficient and effective administrative systems, you will monitor and gather information, be the first point of contact for handling enquiries and ensure that relevant developments in the region are brought to the attention of the right people. You will also assist in the production and distribution of research and campaign materials. ABOUT YOU: You will need proven administrative skills, specifically maintaining filing and retrieval systems and an ability to deal with large volumes of information including maintaining manual and computerized databases. You will also need to have good general knowledge of Eastern Africa, fluency in written and spoken English and a strong commitment to our aims. You’re an enthusiastic, lively team member, highly organised and comfortable with deadlines and creating strong lines of communication and robust administration systems for a team. ABOUT US: Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, fairness, freedom and truth wherever they’re denied. Already our network of almost three million members and supporters is making a difference in 150 countries. And whether we’re applying pressure through powerful research or direct lobbying, mass demonstrations or online campaigning, we’re all inspired by hope for a better world. One where human rights are respected and protected by everyone, everywhere. Job Summary JOB PURPOSE: To assist in the development and implementation of research and campaigning strategies in the team’s geographical and/or thematic brief, including by monitoring developments; managing information and communications systems; drafting and assisting in the productions of documents; participating in the coordination of the work of the team and providing it with administrative and other support including in relation to field work and response to crisis. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Reporting to: Programme Director / Deputy Programme Director Posts that this job manages: This job has no line management responsibilities but supervises team volunteers, as appropriate Other key relationships: Researcher/s and campaigner/s and other programme staff, as appropriate. Job Description Assist the team’s research and campaigning activities by gathering and managing human rights-related information, including through liaison with national and local contacts, media monitoring, internet searches and manual and electronic filing in relevant databases, using relevant language(s) Assist with campaigning and research activities through the production and distribution of public and internal campaigning materials, reports and other documents, as delegated or originated by researchers and campaigners, including drafting, formatting, editing/proof-reading, distribution of texts and, where appropriate, coordination of translation of documents Monitor and maintain a broad overview of relevant political and human rights developments Act as a point of contact for internal and external interlocutors, process incoming inquiries and, as appropriate, respond to inquiries from other teams and programmes, the membership and the public Participate in the planning, organisation, and coordination of field research and other relevant Amnesty International missions and travel and campaign activities; including preparing budgets, providing logistical support and solving problems. Contribute to the team’s response during a crisis or unexpected work Develop, maintain and manage administrative and communications systems, including setting up new systems where necessary in support of research and campaigning activities; manage files, records and other information retrieval systems where necessary within the organization’s self-servicing guidelines Contribute to the development of programme-wide strategies and plans for research and campaigning and provide input into internal discussions on the Amnesty International mission, policy and organizational issues in order to increase the effectiveness of Amnesty International's work Interview, select, induct, and supervise volunteers working in the team Participate in the coordination of the work of the team and contribute to the overall flexibility of resource use, including through providing cover for other Programme staff as agreed with management, and participating in recruitments and other corporate tasks. What does success look like in this job? A successful Research and Campaign Assistant will have contributed to and facilitated the development and implementation of research and campaigning strategies in the team’s brief. She/he will have maintained and developed effective administrative and communications systems where information directly relevant to the team’s research and campaigning activities is properly gathered and easily retrievable and usable. S/he will have contributed to the effective functioning of the team, and to the implementation of Amnesty International's mission, upholding Amnesty International's values at all times. Skills & Experience General knowledge of the relevant region and/or relevant thematic issues; Fluency in written and spoken English and where necessary other relevant language(s); Understanding of and commitment to human rights issues; Ability to draft and proof-read research and campaign materials; Ability to gather and process human rights-related information/material; Ability to express ideas clearly, orally and in writing, and communicate complex issues with sensitivity to the audience; Experience of establishing and maintaining office systems and coordinating an efficient flow of communications and information; Experience of information management, including the creation and maintenance of electronic databases; Excellent inter-personal and communication skills; Experience of managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities; Ability to use sound judgment and initiative, solve problems and provide constructive inputs; Experience of working in a team and understanding of the importance of efficient communications for the coordination and effective functioning of teams, including ability to supervise volunteers; Understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender issues as well as a commitment to apply relevant policies; Terms and Conditions Salary: Full time salary of £30,444 per annum (pro rata for part time staff) Hours: 35 hours per week Location: London Contract duration: Fixed term contract until 30 June 2012 Holidays: Full time staff receive 27 days per annum plus two Amnesty International grace day and statuatory and national public holidays. Office hours: 09.30 - 17.30 or 10.00 - 18.00 by arrangement Life insurance: Amnesty International provide a Death in Service benefit of 4 x gross salary. Pension: After six consecutive months of service staff are automatically enrolled in the Amnesty International Superannuation Scheme. This is a defined contribution to which Amnesty International contributes 7.5% of gross salary and will match individual employee contributions up to an additional 3%. Probation: A three month probation period will be included in the contract for this position. Relocation: A relocation assistance package will be available for staff members (and their dependents) recruited from over 80km/50 miles from the International Secretariat office in which the post is based. Health and Safety: All staff are required to comply with Amnesty International's policy and rules relating to Health and Safety and its security regulations at work. Equality Statement Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff, volunteers and interns are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. Conflict of Interest Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with AI's principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed. External Advert Closing Date 13-Nov-2011

RESEARCH AND CAMPAIGN ASSISTANT, EAST AFRICA