Crisis Researcher

Amnesty International; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Life assurance

Job summary

Amnesty International is seeking a Crisis Researcher to lead on-ground investigations in armed conflict and major crises, producing rigorous human rights documentation with multidisciplinary teams. You will communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders, including media and policymakers, and support the Crisis Response Programme across offices.

You will collaborate with country experts, ensure timely outputs, and contribute to strengthening Amnesty’s global voice on rights of older

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience in armed conflict or major crisis investigations.
• Outstanding writing and reporting abilities under tight deadlines.
• Expert knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights law.
• Strong security awareness and judgement.
• Experience engaging ethically with survivors of rights violations.
• Experience with research methods including satellite imagery and media verification.
• Fluency in English; other languages desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct IHL and IHRL investigations with multidisciplinary methods, coordinating with country teams.
• Draft high-quality reports and briefings; manage publication process with reviewers.
• Develop and implement advocacy and campaigning strategies with colleagues.
• Build and maintain public and confidential contacts and partners to verify information and maximize impact.

Skills

Armed conflict investigations

Excellent writing

International humanitarian law

Security awareness

Ethical engagement with survivors

Research methods incl. satellite Imag

English fluency

Job description

As an Amnesty International expert on armed conflict and other human rights crises, the Crisis Researcher will undertake, working closely with the organization's country experts, to respond rapidly to situations that involve outbreaks of fighting, large-scale atrocities, and mass displacement. The researcher will undertake cutting-edge investigations in violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) and produce timely research outputs; communicate findings, analysis, and wider strategy to internal and external stakeholders, including media outlets and policymakers; and liaise with colleagues across the International Secretariat (IS) and wider Amnesty International movement. They will also support the Crisis Response Programme and the wider IS in continuing to innovate and to strengthen its documentation and reporting.

LOCATION

The location for this role is either London or Madrid. Due to the short term nature of this role we are unable to offer relocation or sponsorship. Please state in your application your preferred IS office location.

The salary on offer will be dependent on the location.

ABOUT YOU

• A successful Crisis Researcher will undertake on-ground investigations in situations of armed conflict or major crisis and, together with colleagues, put together rigorous human rights documentation that incorporates the multi-disciplinary skills within the Crisis Response team and across the IS.
• They will consistently produce timely and cutting-edge research outputs that are utilized across the Amnesty movement to bring greater attention to human rights violations and to influence policymaking at national, regional, and international levels, collaborating closely with campaigns and communications colleagues to maximize the work's reach and impact.
• They will have contributed to strengthening Amnesty International's reputation as a leading voice on issues related to the rights of older people, people with disabilities, women, and children.
• They will work to support the effective functioning of the wider Crisis Response team and to implement Amnesty International's mission, upholding the organization's values always, particularly with regards to gender equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Undertake IHL and IHRL investigations in situations of armed conflict or major crisis that are rigorous, timely, strategic, impartial, and multi-disciplinary, working closely with country teams across the IS. In the investigative work, combine on-ground and remote research methodologies to produce documentation of the highest standard under tight deadlines and competing demands, and ensure an intersectional focus on age, race, ethnicity, gender, and disability.
• Draft high-quality reports, briefings, and other research outputs, at times swiftly, and manage the process to publication, including through incorporating comments from specialist reviewers. Together with colleagues, produce creative outputs that reach wider audiences and drive deeper understanding of the nature and impact of human rights violations.
• Working with colleagues, devise and implement advocacy and campaigning strategies for addressing the violations documented.
• Develop and maintain public and confidential contacts and partners in and outside the organization – such as human rights activists, members of legal and other professions, representatives of UN and humanitarian agencies, and government officials – as part of gathering and verifying information, developing effective strategies and plans, and working in partnership to maximise impact.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential experience required for the role:

• Experience (minimum 3 years) working in areas of armed conflict or major crisis and undertaking human rights investigations or comparable reporting, ideally in more than one region.
• Exceptional writing skills and experience drafting high-quality research outputs and other documents, such as reports, media articles, op-eds, and government correspondence under pressure and to tight timelines. Demonstrated ability to express ideas in a fluent, clear and concise way, both orally and in writing.
• Expert knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights law, both theory and practice.
• Excellent awareness of security issues and ability to handle them appropriately, including substantial experience in exercising sound judgement in conflict and crisis situations.
• Experience of engaging appropriately and ethically with a variety of people, including survivors of human rights violations and others who may have recently experienced trauma, employing sensitivity and discretion.
• Experience working with a variety of research methodologies relevant to human rights investigations, including, for example, satellite imagery, the verification of photo/video material, and/or quantitative methods.
• Fluency and ability to draft for publication in English. Proficiency in other languages is desirable.

Please see attached job description for more information on responsibilities, skills and experience required.

ABOUT US

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. We reach almost every country in the world.

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.

At Amnesty International, we are passionate about what we do and we are proud of our achievements as a movement. To compensate our employees for the critical work they do, we reward them through a combination of an attractive and sector competitive salary and benefits package, high levels of engagement and involvement, and a commitment to employee development.

• 37 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and grace days)
• pension scheme
• employee assistance programme
• life assurance
• many more benefits designed to suit your own personal lifestyle

All of this, in a professional, engaging environment.

For further information on our benefits, please visit https://www.amnesty.org/en/careers/benefits/

WHAT WE HOPE YOU WILL DO NEXT

Freedom, Justice, Equality. Let's get to work.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy BEFORE the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities, therefore we recommend you apply now if you are interested.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

Amnesty International believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable. Together, we're committed to being an anti-racist organisation with a diverse workforce that can better tackle the global human rights challenges that face our world today. We know that different voices, ideas, perspectives, experiences and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of people around the world.

We are committed to building and sustaining an anti-racist, culturally diverse and inclusive organisation, where all employees feel valued, have a sense of belonging and an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential. We therefore strongly welcome applications from suitably qualified people regardless of their background; including underrepresented groups, LGBTQI+ individuals and those who may have or are living with a disability.

To see our full statement please visit this link: Racial equality, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion policy - Amnesty International

Amnesty International is committed to being an inclusive employer and providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with the team by [e-mail]