Amnesty International Job for a Researcher in Abuja
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people
who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. We
reach almost every country in the world and have: more than 2 million
members and supporters who drive forward our fight for rights more
than 5 million
activists who strengthen our calls for justice.
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. 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.
Amnesty International is recruiting to fill the position of:
Job Title: Researcher
Location: Abuja
Grade: 5
Job Purpose
- As Amnesty International’s lead expert on Nigeria, to lead on
the development and implementation of overarching research and
campaigning strategies to deliver impact in relation to agreed
priorities, providing research expertise, research management, political
judgment and analytical, communication and representational skills.
AI Nigeria Purpose:
- Amnesty International Nigeria is a national human rights entity
that is part of a global human rights movement, established to address
national human rights priorities as well as create the possibility for
people in Nigeria to join Amnesty International’s global human rights
campaigns.
- Our mission in Nigeria is to address pertinent national human
rights issues through research, campaigning and human rights education,
and to empower Nigerians to take action on issues that matter to them
through AI’s international human rights movement; and to leverage
Nigeria’s influence regionally and globally to promote human rights
domestically, bilaterally and internationally.
Amnesty International Purpose:
- We campaign for meaningful human rights change; enable effective
human rights activism and work to persuade governments and other actors
to uphold universal human rights standards. .
Working Relationships:
Reporting to: Director, Nigeria National Office
Posts that this job manages:
- This post has no line management responsibility. However, the
researcher participates in coordinating the work of the team, other
participants in research and campaigning projects, temporary staff and
team volunteers.
Other key relationships:
- The researcher works in close collaboration with the campaigner and other posts in the
- national office, as well as posts in the International Secretariat and in the Amnesty International movement as relevant.
Main Responsibilities
- To lead on the development and implementation of overarching
research and campaigning strategies to deliver impact in relation to
agreed priorities on Nigeria or thematic areas, 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 begun by
others.
- 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 in Nigeria or thematic areas.
- To organize, take part in and lead, where agreed, field research
and other missions, leading specifically on information-gathering,
fact-finding, analysis and assessment of human rights concerns,
including in response to crisis situations; prepare, where necessary,
security assessments, political and other briefings in relation to the
mission for Amnesty International management, mission participants and
internal or external stakeholders; and represent Amnesty International
in the field.
- To contribute to the development of sub-regional and region-wide
strategies and plans for research and campaigning and provide input
into internal discussions on the Amnesty International mission, policy,
organizational and other issues in order to increase the effectiveness
of Amnesty International’s work.
- In consultation with management, to participate in coordinating
the work of the team, including through setting priorities, preparing
work plans, monitoring their progress and contributing to maintaining
basic budgets.
- To contribute to the overall flexibility of resource use and provide cover for other staff as agreed with management.
- To perform all necessary administrative tasks to ensure
effective self-servicing, participate in the recruitment and induction
of new staff and consultants and perform other corporate tasks as
appropriate.
- · To represent Amnesty International to external stakeholders,
including in 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 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 and governmental representatives - to optimize information
gathering and 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 staff within AI Nigeria,
as well in the International Secretariat and in the Amnesty
International movement as relevant
- To manage research, oversee the research work carried out by the
team and others and, as appropriate, to contribute to the selection of
external consultants and supervise, support, coordinate and provide
expert advice on their work.
- To contribute to the development and maintenance of an effective information management system.
What Does Success Look Like In This Job?
- A successful researcher will have developed and implemented an
effective and deliverable strategy on Nigeria; produced, implemented,
monitored and evaluated related action plans within set deadlines;
practiced rigorous analysis and identified critical issues in a timely
fashion; maintained and developed effective networks and written high
quality reports and other materials for publication and internal use;
and effectively represented Amnesty International and communicated its
key messages.
- They 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 and Experience
- Proven experience of undertaking research on human rights or related issues.
- Specialist knowledge and preferably first-hand experience of
Nigeria and/or thematic areas in your brief 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 them.
- 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.
- Experience of working in a team and understanding of 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.
- Experience of managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting 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.
- Ability to use participatory approaches, methodologies and tools
when working with rights holders, partners, AI staff/activists and
others
- Ability to exercise good political judgment, thorough analysis
and diplomacy to develop effective strategies to impact on human rights
in the region.
- 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.
- Proven experience of writing research materials for a variety of
audiences, together with an understanding of the importance of
tailoring materials for various target audiences including through
digital channels.
- Ability to understand and express ideas in English and, where
applicable, other relevant languages, in a fluent, clear and concise
way, both orally and in writing; draft text in a variety of styles, e.g.
documents such as substantial reports, government correspondence and
media and action materials.
How You Work - Competencies:
- Competency: Level: (A, B or C)
- Delivering results - level C/B
- Making decisions - level B
- Taking the initiative - level C
- Communicating and influencing - level C/B
- Working with others - level C/B
- Developing oneself and others - level B
- Contributing to a dynamic, effective Nigeria National Office - level B
Equality Statement:
- Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff
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 Amnesty
International’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.
Benefits
- Salary is competitive.
- There will be a requirement to travel and represent Amnesty across the country.
- You will be part of a lively network of peers and colleagues from around the world.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Click here to view more information
Application Deadline 7th February 2016.