Europe and Central Asia Regional Programme - Eurasia team

Programme: Europe and Central Asia Programme
Team:  Eurasia team
Allowance: Travel and lunch expenses
Duration: 3 months minimum but longer preferable
Hours/Days per week: 4 days preferable possibly shared by two volunteers
Location: Clerkenwell, Central London
Languages required: Essential English and Russian
Closing date: 18 May  2008
Starting date: End of May 2008
Ref. no: VOLECA/08/05

Task list for volunteer in the Eurasia team at the International Secretariat

The volunteer will be supervised within the team by the Campaigners and Researchers. The volunteer may be asked from time to time to do work for these members of the team.  The volunteer’s main contact within the International Secretariat (IS) is the Volunteer Coordinator in the Human Resources Program (HRP).
Volunteers on the team generally work 2 – 3 days for a minimum of 3 months, although sometimes this period may be shorter or longer depending on the nature of the projects you have been assigned and your own requirements.

Much of the work done by volunteers within the team is administrative, particularly at the start. Depending on individual skills, understanding of Amnesty International (AI) and human rights, other work may be offered to the volunteer on the discretion of the team.  The volunteer will be given appropriate training to enable them to complete the tasks assigned to them.

Specific Tasks:

• Up-keep of electronic filing systems, including mailing lists and research and contacts logs (database maintenance).
• Daily monitoring of country specific news – including on the Internet, newswire and paper media sources, plus electronic and paper storage of items relevant to the teams work.
• General administrative duties, including filing, photocopying, data entry, faxing, mailings, canning, archiving.
• Replying to general correspondence from the public.
• Making phone calls to colleagues and contacts in the region.
• Servicing requests from AI’s members and contacts.
• Other tasks as designated by the team.
• Thematic tasks relating to the main concerns/priorities of the team, for instance, researching materials on freedom of expression and human rights defenders and/or torture or other ill-treatment in Eurasia

Essential skills and experience

• Good working knowledge of computers, familiarity with word processing, databases and typing
• Fluent level of written and spoken English
• Working knowledge of Russian or other regional language, both oral and written
• Good inter-personal and communication skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently
• Willingness to undertake office work such as photocopying, filing and archiving

Desirable skills and experience

• Knowledge of the region.
• Knowledge of human rights issues in the region
• Administrative experience, including manual and electronic filing.
• Experience of press monitoring.

Cultural Diversity & Equal Opportunities (CDEOPS)

Commitment to working in a multi-cultural and diverse environment
Understanding of equal opportunity principles and commitment to apply them in daily work
Other
Commitment to work within AI’s mandate
Appreciation of the importance of confidentiality and security in AI’s work
Disqualifiers
Activities or affiliations in conflict with AI’s aims and objectives
Non-compliance with AI’s CDEOPS policy

CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

The effectiveness of Amnesty International's work is dependant largely on the accuracy of our information and the impartial and objective manner in which we report on and campaign against human rights abuses and violations. To this end and to ensure our credibility, it is crucial that we are also perceived by others as being impartial and objective. For most people applying for work within Amnesty International there is no conflict of interest. However, if you do think there may be a conflict of interest (perceived or otherwise) in your case then please tell us in your application form of any issues you think may be relevant. These could, for example, include activities or membership/affiliation with organizations in conflict with the aims and objectives of Amnesty International. This information will then be considered and we may wish to discuss this with you in greater detail.

Equal opportunities policy

The International Secretariat of Amnesty International is committed to a comprehensive policy of Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunities in which individuals are selected and treated solely on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the Secretariat. All staff, whether paid or voluntary, will work collectively and individually within the terms and intentions of the Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Volunteers are required to comply with AI's policy and rules relating to Health and Safety, Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunities and with its security regulations.Amnesty International actively promotes equal opportunities. If you have a disability, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss particular requirements.

Applying for this vacancy:

The application form is available in Word and PDF formats.

Please return your application form preferably by email to: volunteering@amnesty.org
In the subject line write 'volunteer position' and the relevant reference number.

Alternatively, print the application form off and post or fax it to:

The Volunteer Coordinator
Human Resources Programme
Amnesty International
1 Easton Street
London
WC1X 0DW

Fax number: (0044) (020) 413 5822

Please note that due to the high numbers of applications we regret that we are unable to answer individual queries in relation to volunteering posts or on the progress of individual applications. Please assume that if you have not been contacted within 6 weeks after the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Visas will be arranged for successful candidates after appointment only.