Amnesty International, Brussels
Researcher on Refugee and Migrant's Rights (Europe)
Deadline for applications: 31 October 2012
and migration expert with significant research experience to deliver substantive research in the areas of examining migration routes to Europe and of the externalisation of immigration control by the EU and its Member States. This function needs an engaging and independent personality with political savvy and a keen strategic mind.
The researcher will join the team for an initial period of one year (fixed term contract).
Job title: Researcher – Refugee and Migrants Rights (Europe)
Purpose of the job: As Amnesty International’s researcher on refugee and migrants’ rights in Europe, you will take the lead on the development and implementation of research and advocacy strategies to deliver impact in relation to agreed priorities, conducting research, and utilising political judgment and analytical, communication and representational skills. You will provide authoritative advice to country and thematic specialists in the International Secretariat (IS), the European Institutions Office, sections and structures of Amnesty International. You will develop Amnesty International’s policy positions and advocacy strategies, and contribute to the development of the movement’s strategic goals and responses to human rights issues in this field.
Reports to: Director, Amnesty International EIO with functional reporting to the Head of Refugee and Migrants’ Rights, Global Thematic Issues Programme at the Amnesty International International Secretariat.
Other key relationships: The post holder will be part of the IS/EIO refugee and migrants’ rights core team and will work closely with colleagues in the Europe and Central Asia programme at the IS, as well as with relevant staff at sections and structures in Europe and Africa. This post has no line management responsibility. However, the post holder may supervise temporary staff and team volunteers.
Duties and responsibilities:
• To monitor, research, investigate and analyze human rights-related developments in order to provide timely, accurate, independent and impartial assessments and expert advice on the human rights situation of refugees and migrants in Europe.
• To contribute to the development and implementation of overarching research and advocacy strategies, to deliver impact in relation to agreed priorities on refugee and migrants’ rights in Europe, including strategies to identify the most effective ways to address human rights concerns; and to lead on designing specific projects and producing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating plans for both these and initiatives originated by others.
• To organize, take part in and lead, where agreed, field research and other missions, in particular information-gathering, fact-finding, analysis and assessment of human rights concerns, including response to crisis situations; prepare, where necessary, security assessments, political and other briefings related to the mission for International Secretariat management, mission participants and internal or external stakeholders; and represent Amnesty International in the field.
• To represent, as mandated by the director, Amnesty International to external stakeholders, including governmental, inter-governmental and various public forums, as well as to all forms of news media, civil society organizations and political, economic and other actors; and to communicate Amnesty International’s concerns, positions and, where relevant, campaign strategies to external and internal stakeholders.
• To develop and maintain in liaison with the IS and EIO team effective constituencies of public and confidential contacts and partners in and outside the organization, such as human rights activists, members of legal and other professions, UN agencies, EU institutions and governmental representatives. To optimize information gathering, verification and the development and implementation of effective strategies and plans.
• To write reports and other materials for publication and internal use and contribute to and provide expert advice in relation to written and other materials produced by other programmes.
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective information management system.
• To support, as required by the organization, work on other human rights issues in Europe, through monitoring, research, investigation and analysis.
• To contribute to the development of strategies and plans for research and campaigning and provide input to internal discussions on Amnesty International's policy, organizational and other issues in order to increase the effectiveness of Amnesty International’s work.
• To participate in the coordination of the work of the team, including preparation of the work plans, monitor their progress and contributing to maintaining budgets.
• To perform all necessary administrative tasks to ensure effective self-servicing.
Knowledge:
• At least three years of relevant work experience in the field of refugee and migrants rights; demonstrable strong knowledge of refugee and/or migrants’ rights.
• Proven experience of undertaking research on human rights or related issues and an in-depth understanding of the nature of key human rights concerns, as well as political, social, legal, economic, cultural, ethnic, racial and gender issues in the region.
• Excellent understanding of international and European human rights law in this field and good understanding of the European/EU legal and political context.
• Ability to devise and operate planning and monitoring systems.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining systems, enabling efficient coordination and output of work.
Skills:
• Ability to represent Amnesty International to external stakeholders, and to communicate Amnesty International’s concerns, positions and, where relevant, strategies to external and internal stakeholders.
• Strong political savvy and ability to be pragmatic and diplomatic in all circumstances.
• Proven experience of writing research materials for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to understand and express ideas in English in a fluent, clear and concise way, both orally and in writing; draft texts in a variety of styles, e.g. documents such as substantive reports, government correspondence and media and action materials.
• Ability to deal in a sensitive and understanding manner with a variety of people, including survivors of human rights violations and others who may be distressed.
• Ability to work in a team and understand the importance of efficient communications for the coordination and effective functioning of teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights, e.g. through previous work, membership of an organization, involvement in advocacy of human rights, etc.
• Excellent ability to set strategic goals in accordance with organisational priorities, monitor plans, and evaluate outcomes.
• Ability to manage conflicting demands, meet deadlines and adjust priorities.
• Ability and willingness to undertake personal administrative tasks in accordance with Amnesty International’s guidelines on self-servicing.
• Understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender issues as well as a commitment to apply relevant policies.
• We expect high level fluency in English and at least one other language fluently spoken; we would consider Turkish, Arabic or Greek an additional asset.
Personal qualities:
• Innovative and independent worker who contributes to the team’s overall goals, taking responsibility and demonstrating initiative in own work area.
• Ability to work in a team, share information and contribute to all sorts of minor tasks required in an NGO office.
• Managing all relationships within and outside Amnesty International constructively and diplomatically, maintaining a sense of humour.
• Strong sense of service for other Amnesty International colleagues and the board.
• Capacity to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Skilled at rallying support at moments of high pressure.
• Very strong interest in and commitment to human rights.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
How to apply:
Please fill in the application form on our website and send it by e-mail to arrive no later than 9.00 am on Wednesday, 31 October 2012. Interviews will be held on 20 and 21 November 2012 in Brussels. We do not accept CVs.
Amnesty International is an equal opportunities employer and offers competitive remuneration with benefits under Belgian law.
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