Programme Assistant At Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

**The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is offering an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment, supporting a global team to achieve its ambitions in combatting contemporary forms of slavery and ending human rights abuses in the Commonwealth. You will be part of a small team, providing flexible support to our projects and programmes, gaining exposure to a range of interesting and demanding areas of work.

About CHRI

CHRI is an international, independent, non-governmental organisation that works for the practical realisation of human rights through research, advocacy, capacity building, and network engagement. We believe that the promotion and protection of human rights is the responsibility of governments but that the active informed participation of civil society is also vital to ensuring rule of law and the realisation of human rights.

CHRI has offices in London, Accra, and New Delhi. Our global work focuses on the intersection of human rights, transparency and good governance. CHRI specialises in the areas of Access to Justice (Police and Prison reforms), Access to Information (Right to Information), Media Freedoms, and Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

CHRI’s work on Eradicating Contemporary Forms of Slavery and Human Trafficking is led by the London office. The London office also founded and acts as the Secretariat to the Commonwealth 8.7 Network – a group of 60+ local civil society organisations from across the globe who share a common vision to eradicate contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking.

To learn more about the work of CHRI London see our website. For more information on the Commonwealth 8.7 Network, see the network website.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The post holder will demonstrate excellent organisational skills and flexibility, and will be expected to provide general support to the office and our programme areas of work of CHRI London office, including the following responsibilities:

1. Support the design and delivery of projects and programmes, in particular our programme on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking
2. Support the coordination of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network, including organising and minuting meetings and webinars, preparing and disseminating communications tools, support to the management committee and working groups
3. Coordinate the compilation and dissemination of the daily CHRI Human Rights Update and The 8.7 Quarterly newsletter, working with our team of interns
4. Writing reports and correspondence, including reports to the CHRI Executive Committee
5. Provide logistical support to the programme, such as organisation of capacity building trainings and webinars, booking flights and hotels for travel, processing payments, booking rooms and organising meetings
6. Co-ordinate the recruitment, selection and induction of CHRI interns, and supervise interns from time to time
7. Provide office administration and operational support, including managing post and email correspondence
8. Schedule team and Executive Committee meetings and assisting the Director in diary management
9. Attend and participate in team meetings, and oversee drafting of minutes as required
10. Maintain an organised document management system
11. Maintain manual and computerised records & databases including mailings lists, in line with GDPR regulation
12. Other general duties as required – we are a small team and flexibility is needed!

Position in Organisation:

• Reports to the Director of CHRI London
• Works closely with all team members

Person Specification

With impeccable organisational skills, you will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, will be flexible in your approach and willing to get involved in a variety of different tasks on a daily basis.

Essential:

Experience:

• At least one to two years of solid experience providing organisational and administrative support to a fast-paced global team, in the area of human rights or development
• Some project management experience
• Maintaining document management systems
• Scheduling meetings and/or event management, including using digital platforms
• Organisation of events and travel

Skills:

• Able to manage interns
• Excellent communications skills, including written and spoken fluency in English
• A flair for learning new skills and quickly adapting to new ways of working
• Ability to work methodically and independently while knowing when to report upwards
• Ability to organise, prioritise, and deliver to a high standard under time constraints and pressure
• Solution-focused with an ability to exercise judgement to solve problems

Desirable:

Education:

• A degree in human rights, international development or related area

Experience:

• Social media, website maintenance
• Experience working as part of an international, cross-cultural team
• Knowledge of UK GDPR regulations

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Only candidates who are currently eligible to reside and work in the UK should apply.

Contract: One year, with anticipated extension

Days: 4-5 days per week. Flexible working hour options will be considered.

Location: London, UK. Mostly home based