JOB DESCRIPTION
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT
(AIIS)
JOB TITLE: Researcher/Adviser (theme) [Refugees and Migrants / Health / Business and
Human Rights as appropriate]
DEPARTMENT: Global Thematic Issues Program
JOB PURPOSE: As Amnesty International’s (AI’s) lead expert on a specific thematic area
within the team and Programme’s brief, 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. Provide authoritative advice to country and thematic specialists in the International
Secretariat (IS), sections and structures. Develop AI’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.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:
1. To provide strategic vision and leadership in the areas of global thematic research and
analysis which allow AI to identify and address new trends or emerging issues in a timely
manner.
2. To ensure that the global thematic issues programme works closely with the law and policy
programme, the international advocacy programme, regional programmes, the campaign
programme, the mobilization cluster and the communications cluster to ensure coherence and
effectiveness in our work on transnational or emerging human rights issues.
3. To ensure that AI responds effectively to emerging trends in human rights issues,
understanding how globalization has changed the analysis of some violations and abuses, and
allocating resources to address particularly difficult areas of human rights that require specialist
concentration.
AIIS PURPOSE: The International Secretariat, which operates from a number of sites around
the world, gathers and communicates accurate and action-oriented human rights information
globally. 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. We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the Amnesty International
movement globally, fostering Amnesty International’s contribution, presence and public
accountability throughout the world.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Reporting to: Head of Team, Global Thematic Issues Program
Posts that this job manages: This post has no line management responsibility. However, the
post holder may supervise temporary staff and team volunteers.
Other key relationships: Law and Policy Programme; Gender, Sexuality and Identity Unit;
Regional Programmes; other teams in the International Secretariat, including campaign teams;
sections and structures; other international, regional, and local nongovernmental organisations;
and UN agencies.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
There are four teams within the Global Thematic Issues Programme, each leading Amnesty
International’s work on a particular human rights theme to ensure innovative analysis in
specialized areas and a consistency of approach on a global basis:
1. The Business and Human Rights team leads on the human rights impact of business,
corporate and other economic actors.
2. The Economic, Social and Cultural Rights team leads on economic, social and cultural rights
issues.
3. The Human Security team leads on rights to physical and mental integrity, focusing on the
death penalty and health dimensions of civil and political rights
4. The Refugee and Migrants' Rights team leads on the human rights of asylum-seekers,
refugees and migrants, IDPs, trafficked and stateless persons.
Within their specific thematic area of expertise, each team is responsible for: devising
innovative analyses to confront and prevent human rights violations in specialized areas;
conducting research on human rights violations and on international legal, political and
economic trends and developments related to protecting these rights; developing policy;
providing legal advice, often in an area where there is currently little precedent in human rights
law and policy; devising and implementing advocacy and campaigning strategies; coordinating
and working with the relevant AI membership Network to ensure a coherent approach to AI’s
campaigning and advocacy in this areas; providing advice and support to the agreed research
plans of regional teams and sections.
Location: London, or as agreed.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop and conduct research and analysis on a specific thematic area within the team and
Program’s brief, investigating and evaluating human rights related developments in order to
provide timely, accurate, independent and impartial assessments and recommendations to the IS
and the wider movement;
Organize and undertake field research missions, leading specifically on information-gathering,
fact-finding, analysis and assessment of relevant human rights concerns, including in response
to crisis situations; prepare, where necessary, security assessments, political and other briefings
related to the mission for IS management, mission participants and internal or external
stakeholders; and represent AI in the field, including to government officials, partner
organizations and the media.
Provide expert advice on research and research methodology within the team’s thematic brief to
AI research staff to ensure quality and consistency of work in this area.
Provide expert advice on issues within the post’s thematic brief to AI staff, sections/structures,
and other AI membership bodies in order to ensure accuracy and relevance, and the integration
of these issues into AI’s work.
Write or contribute to the drafting of timely and effective reports, briefings, position papers,
correspondence, action materials, press releases, and other internal and external documents in
order to implement AI’s agreed strategies.
Develop and coordinate the implementation of specific advocacy initiatives, contribute to
campaigning strategies, and manage specific sub-projects within the framework of agreed
strategies for the unit, the IS and the movement. This may include coordination of project teams
and supervision of consultants.
Contribute to the development and implementation of a training program, to assist staff and the
membership to develop and maintain the skills and knowledge necessary to work toward the
achievement of AI strategies.
Develop and maintain effective constituencies of public and confidential contacts and partners
in and outside of the organization -- such as rights activists, partner organizations, 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.
Represent AI externally, including in governmental, inter-governmental and other public
forums, reporting back to the IS and the movement; develop media and other professional
contacts; and otherwise act as an AI expert spokesperson on these issues to raise public
awareness of AI and its concerns.
Maintain a comprehensive overview of trends and developments on the specific thematic
responsibility of the post, and relevant specialist subjects, as agreed with the Unit Director.
Contribute to the development of programme- and movement-wide strategies and plans for research and
campaigning, including through internal discussions on the AI mission, policy, organizational and other
issues in order to increase the effectiveness of AI’s work.
Participate in the coordination of the work of the team, including through setting priorities, preparing
work plans, monitoring their progress and contributing to maintaining budgets.
Contribute to the overall flexibility of resource use and provide cover for other programme staff
as agreed with management;
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.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN THIS JOB?
The IS has a strong profile on the human rights aspects of the particular thematic issue, based
on the production of high-quality reports and other public documents, and on the expert
leadership and representation provided by the post-holder.
IS staff, AI sections and networks receive advice and policy guidance that is timely, succinct
and accurate, including on relevant international law and standards and their application;
The post holder produces reports and other documents that are carefully researched,
compellingly written, aimed at achieving specific impact, and delivered on schedule.
The post holder takes and creates strategic opportunities for policy development, research,
lobbying, and public intervention.
Other AI staff and external actors, including the staff of other NGOs, turn to the post holder for
his or her recognized expertise.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
 Specialist knowledge of the thematic area in your brief and an in-depth understanding of
the nature of key human rights concerns, as well as the relevant political, social, legal,
economic, cultural, ethnic, racial and gender issues;
 Extensive professional experience of undertaking research on human rights and the
thematic area of your brief;
 Expert knowledge of the international human rights legal framework and relevant
developments, gained through significant experience working within or on the sector.
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Significant experience of undertaking high-quality field research, as demonstrated in a
range of publications.
Demonstrated ability to analyse human rights issues, and to develop short and long-term
strategies to achieve human rights impact and solid change.
Ability to think strategically and exercise sound political judgement in developing
policy positions;
Excellent written English and the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and concise
research documents, policy positions and strategy papers.
Ability to represent AI to a variety of external stakeholders, to present ideas clearly, and
advance compelling arguments in English (essential) and other relevant languages
(highly desirable).
Experience of interviewing and dealing in an appropriate manner with witnesses and
survivors of human rights violations, as well as with senior government officials, policy
makers, and law enforcement officials.
Excellent political judgement, strong analytical skills and the ability to think and plan
strategically.
Strong interpersonal skills including advocacy, negotiating and influencing skills.
Experience of working in a team, participating in the collective coordination of the work
of the team by contributing to setting priorities, motivating self and others, and resolving
team conflicts.
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.
Written by: Audrey Gaughran Date agreed: May 2010 To be reviewed: