Research and Campaign Assistant (17.5 hours per week)

Job Title: Research and Campaign Assistant 
Team: Turkey
Programme: ECA
Recruitment reference: ECA/08/11

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Advert 

You will play a vital support role in a small team that's fighting for Human Rights in Turkey. 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.

A committed team member with a good general knowledge of Turkey and ideally a Turkish speaker, you're a proven administrator with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Fully signed up to our aims, you will conduct yourself in a professional and efficient manner and can work effectively under pressure.

Job Description

Job Title: Research and Campaign Assistant 

Programme: Europe and Central Asia Region 

Cluster: Regional

Reports to: Programme Director /  Deputy Programme Director

People that this job manages:
This job has no line management responsibilities but supervises team volunteers, as appropriate.

Other key relationships:
Researcher and campaigner in Turkey team, and other programme staff, as appropriate.

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.

Main Responsibilities

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. Monitor and maintain a broad overview of relevant political and human rights developments.
4. 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.
5. Participate in the planning, organization, and coordination of field research and other relevant AI missions and travel and campaign activities; including preparing budgets, providing logistical support and solving problems.
6. Contribute to the team’s response during a crisis or unexpected work.
7. 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.
8. Contribute to the development of programme-wide strategies and plans for research and campaigning and provide input into internal discussions on the AI mission, policy and organizational issues in order to increase the effectiveness of AI’s work.
9. Interview, select, induct, and supervise volunteers working in the team.
10. 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.

Person Specification

Knowledge of the region

• Experience and knowledge of the region, particularly Turkey.
• Sensitivity to the people and culture, and an awareness of the social, political, human rights development and security considerations.
• Broad understanding of the nature of human rights concerns in Turkey. 

• Able to assist in gathering and processing research information.

• Able to interview and correspond with relevant sources of information.

• Able to draft campaign materials, and present material in a format that can be used to take action, and disseminate action materials (desirable).

• Able to write coherently and concisely.

• Able to produce accurate work, based on factual information.

• Experience of servicing a membership organization (desirable).

• Experience of office administrative systems and procedures.
• Experience of computerized and manual retrieval systems.
• Word processing typing speed of at least 35 wpm.
• Able to plan, organize and prioritize work, under pressure and to deadlines.
• Experience of budgeting and expenditure control (desirable).
• Experience of formatting materials for publication.

• Able to draft correspondence and other materials clearly, and with sensitivity to different audiences.
• Able to explain complex issues simply and clearly.
• Able to take part in policy and organizational discussions.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Turkish.

• Experience and understanding of team-working, willing to cover for others when required.
• Willing to participate in cross-organizational projects and teams.
• Able to work with individuals from a variety of cultures and backgrounds in a sensitive manner.
• Able to use sound judgment, initiative, tact and diplomacy when required.

• Commitment to working in a multi-cultural and diverse environment.
• Understanding of equal opportunity principles and commitment to apply them in daily work.

Cultural diversity and equalities

• Commitment to Equal Opportunities.
• Understanding of Equal Opportunities, Cultural Diversity and Gender Issues and willingness to apply these in work.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment. 

Conflict of Interest /Disqualifier

• 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.  

Main terms and conditions

Salary                              Under review

Hours                               17.5 hours per week

Location                          Clerkenwell, central London  

Contract duration         Permanent contract

Holidays                          Full time staff receive 27 days per annum plus one Amnesty International grace

                                           day and statutory and national public holidays .

Office hours                   09.30 - 17.30 or 10.00 - 18.00 by arrangement 

Relocation                      Relocation assistance will be available for staff members (and their dependents)

                                           recruited from over 80 km/50 miles from the International Secretariat office in

                                           which the post is based.

Life insurance                4 x gross salary  

Travel loan                      Interest free travel loan for bus, underground, or rail travel to work (no qualifying

                                           period)

Pension                            You are encouraged to join the Amnesty International Superannuation

                                            Scheme.  This is a defined contribution to which Amnesty International

                                            contributes 6% of gross salary.  

Cultural Diversity          All staff will 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.

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.