Volunteer Research and Advocacy Intern

VOLUNTEER RESEARCH & ADVOCACY INTERNSHIP (LONDON)

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is seeking a volunteer intern for its London office. We are looking for an individual with strong research and advocacy skills.

Who we are

CHRI is an independent, international non-governmental organisation working for the practical realisation of human rights through research, advocacy and mobilization since 1987. Headquartered in New Delhi, it also has offices in London and Accra.

CHRI focuses on the intersection of human rights, transparency and good governance, with programmes on access to justice, access to information, eradicating contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking, freedom of expression, and building the capacity of small States to access UN human rights mechanisms. CHRI’s London office leads research and advocacy work on contemporary forms of slavery (SDG Target 8.7) and founded the Commonwealth 8.7 Network a global network of 60+ civil society organisations who share a common vision to eradicate contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking.

What we offer

This is an exciting opportunity to gain work experience in human rights for the small office of an established international NGO and to contribute to research and advocacy work focused on SDG Target 8.7. The work follows on from our major Commonwealth-wide report on SDG Target 8.7, launched at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

The successful candidate will be a key member of our London team, contributing to our high-profile research and advocacy agenda, the focus of which is contemporary forms of slavery; human trafficking; rights of women and children; rights of marginalised groups, and migrant workers. The members of the London team are located across geographies and time zones; all working remotely. This is a unique set up that provides interns with the opportunity to own and lead their own work streams as well as a supportive team environment while doing substantive work.

We offer experience working on global human rights issues, in a variety of capacities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Research – mostly desk-based but with some opportunity for primary data collection
• Collaborating in the analysis and drafting of research and advocacy documents
• Supporting advocacy to create awareness of research outcomes
• Assisting advocacy and engagement with various UN human rights mechanisms, and the upcoming CHOGM in 2021
• Supporting capacity building initiatives and programmes for the 8.7 Network
• Producing the CHRI Human Rights Update, a newsletter that we circulate each week, compiling human rights news from across the Commonwealth
• Administrative tasks such as information management, liaising with partners and funders, as and when required.

What we ask for

Volunteers work on a flexible basis. We are looking for someone able to commit 2 to 3 days a week for a minimum of 3 to 6 months.

Qualifications and skills

• Education and/or experience in human rights or a related subject. Recent volunteer interns have been post-graduate students in International Relations, Human Rights, International Development, Political Science
• Experience conducting desk-based research, and a good understanding of research methodologies and analysis
• Strong critical analysis skills
• Strong English writing skills
• Understanding of digital technologies and social media
• Understanding of and/or interest in inter-cultural working environments
• Self-motivated
• Team player

Ideal candidates will be able to demonstrate a high degree of personal responsibility for their work and the ability to manage their own time and workload. Showing initiative is a key factor for success in this role.