Advocate/Adviser - Death Penalty

Job Reference	GTI/SEC/AADP
Title	Advocate/Adviser - Death Penalty
Team	Special Thematic Projects
Programme	Global Thematic Issues
Advert	We are a campaigning organisation; it’s what we do. And a big part of our work involves urging governments to accept and enforce international human rights standards. In this new role, you’ll lead the development of strategy that helps bring about the eventual abolition of the death penalty. About the role Harnessing your determination to end human rights abuses, you’ll lead the development and implementation of improved strategies and advocacy on the death penalty. It’ll be up to you to research and analyse the impact of international legal and policy developments, and to focus and strengthen our advocacy and campaigning work to end the use of the death penalty. This means building relationships with contacts that range from Amnesty International members and staff, government and UN officials, the media and civil society partners through to lobbyists, NGO partners and coalitions. It also means firing up their enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, our goals. And whether you’re representing us at relevant government or UN meetings, developing and implementing project plans or recommending actions, you’ll have a visible impact on the death penalty policy and personally help end this irreversible act of state violence. About you Whether you’re currently working in academia, the public sector or another NGO, you’ll have a good grounding in international relations and human rights law and standards, particularly in relation to the death penalty. So you’ll have no problem assessing the political, legal and social landscape and writing far-sighted strategy documents. Wide-ranging experience of advocacy and IGOs – including UN bodies and the human rights system – is a must; as is the proven ability to implement projects and deliver results. And because you’ll be representing us to the media and in high level meetings, you’ll need a great deal of charisma and the ability to remain persuasive in any situation. About us 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. Already our network of almost three million members and supporters is making a difference in 150 countries. 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.
Job Summary	JOB PURPOSE: Lead development, implementation and evaluation of Amnesty International’s (AI’s) AI’s worldwide advocacy activities – focusing on the United Nations (UN) and other intergovernmental organizations – aimed at securing a global moratorium on executions and the eventual abolition of the death penalty. Provide authoritative advice to country and thematic specialists in the International Secretariat (IS), sections and structures. Develop policy positions on emerging issues, and contribute to the development of the movement’s strategic goals and responses to human rights issues in this field. DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: 1. To provide strategic vision and leadership in the areas of global thematic research and analysis which allow AI to identify and address new trends or emerging issues in a timely manner. 2. To ensure that the global thematic issues programme works closely with the law and policy programme, the international advocacy programme, regional programmes, the campaign programme, the mobilization cluster and the communications cluster to ensure coherence and effectiveness in our work on transnational or emerging human rights issues. 3. To ensure that AI responds effectively to emerging trends in human rights issues, understanding how globalization has changed the analysis of some violations and abuses, and allocating resources to address particularly difficult areas of human rights that require specialist concentration. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Reporting to: Team Leader, Special Thematic Projects Team Posts that this job manages: This post has no line management responsibility. However, the post holder may supervise temporary staff and team volunteers. Other key relationships: Staff of the International Advocacy Programme, IS staff in particular country and thematic teams, Legal and Policy Advisers, the AI movement, NGO partners and coalitions, government officials, IGO bodies and secretariats, human rights experts and the media. USEFUL INFORMATION: There are four teams within the Global Thematic Issues Programme, each leading Amnesty International’s work on a particular human rights theme to ensure innovative analysis in specialized areas and a consistency of approach on a global basis: 1. The Business and Human Rights team leads on the human rights impact of business, corporate and other economic actors. 2. The Economic, Social and Cultural Rights team leads on economic, social and cultural rights issues. 3. The Special Thematic Projects team leads on rights to physical and mental integrity, focusing on the death penalty and health dimensions of civil and political rights 4. The Refugee and Migrants' Rights team leads on the human rights of asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants, and IDPs. Within their specific thematic area of expertise, each team is responsible for: devising innovative analyses to confront and prevent human rights violations in specialized areas; conducting research on human rights violations and on international legal, political and economic trends and developments related to protecting these rights; developing policy; providing legal advice, often in an area where there is currently little precedent in human rights law and policy; devising and implementing advocacy and campaigning strategies; coordinating and working with the relevant AI membership Network to ensure a coherent approach to AI’s campaigning and advocacy in this areas; providing advice and support to the agreed research plans of regional teams and sections.
Job Description	Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of AI’s strategies and advocacy on the death penalty, with a particular focus on the United Nations and other IGOs, in order to establish a global moratorium on executions leading to worldwide abolition of the death penalty; Represents AI at the UN and other IGO meetings, relevant forums and national events as an expert and carries out lobbying and targeted advocacy in order to achieve AI objectives in relation to the death penalty; Provides authoritative legal and policy advice to IS staff, volunteers and the movement, emphasizing strategic and effective engagement on the death penalty to deliver country and thematic priorities; Monitors and analyzes legal and policy developments in the UN and other IGOs on the death penalty, developments in international law and its impact on the application of the death penalty, and reports on these developments to IS and the movement to enable effective and well-informed advocacy; Originates and contributes to AI reports, documents and other advocacy materials to facilitate effective anti death penalty outcomes; Contributes to the development of campaigning strategies on the abolition of the death penalty; Maintains a comprehensive overview of trends and developments on the death penalty and relevant specialist subjects, including the verification and analysis of DP statistics for use in AI’s DP annual report and related analytical materials. Builds relationships with key internal and external actors to ensure effective advocacy; Develops, implements and reports on project plans for specific priorities to ensure appropriate and efficient use of resources Contributes to the overall flexibility of resource use and provide cover for other programme staff as agreed with management; Performs all necessary administrative tasks to ensure effective self-servicing, participate in the recruitment and induction of new staff and consultants and perform other corporate tasks as appropriate.
What does success look like in this job?	IS staff, AI sections and networks receive timely, succinct and accurate advice and policy guidance on international law and standards related to the death penalty, and on the implementation of international standards at the national level; Effective, consistent and coherent AI strategies at the UN and other IGOs with regard to the abolition of the death penalty; The international trend to abolish the death penalty continues; AI’s membership and partner NGOs take effective action to abolish the death penalty worldwide; Clear analysis of UN and other IGO policies relevant to abolition, and of international trends and developments; Well-written material with strategic and targeted recommendations for action by governments, IGO bodies and civil society to abolish the death penalty; Effective participation in meetings of strategic importance to AI, and effective lobbying of governments, IGO officials and others leading to action by these aimed at realizing AI objectives; Good working relationships with IS and movement colleagues and strategic partnerships with other NGOs leading to effective action is taken on AI priorities. Effective training programs leading to improved competencies on strategic engagement to abolish the death penalty; Effective planning, implementation and reporting of activities to deliver AI priorities within budget.
Skills & Experience	Extensive knowledge of international human rights law and standards, with a particular emphasis on application of these standards to the death penalty, gained through professional experience and relevant academic qualifications; Extensive experience of IGO advocacy, including experience of advocacy to abolish the death penalty or related issues; Excellent knowledge and experience of the UN and other IGOs and in particular relevant human rights bodies and mechanisms; Excellent knowledge of international relations and their impact on abolition of the death penalty; Ability to identify and exploit international opportunities to pursue AI objectives and goals and to analyze implications for current plans; Ability to analyze complex issues and develop a strategic response, including under pressure, and to plan and prioritize work to ensure deadlines are met; Ability to represent AI externally, including with government representatives, in IGO and NGO meetings and to the media; Proven advocacy skills; Excellent ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English and another relevant language, both orally and in writing; Experience of supervising people and resources; Ability to develop project plans consistent with organizational strategies and priorities, to monitor these and evaluate outcomes; and Ability to works cooperatively with others including with people from different backgrounds.
Terms and Conditions	Salary: £38,976 per annum + excellent benefits if based in London; package for other locations will be confirmed at offer Hours: 35 hours per week Location: Negotiable - London or other locations which will be considered on operational merits Contract duration: Permanent contract Holidays: Full time staff receive 27 days per annum plus two Amnesty International grace day and statuatory and national public holidays. Office hours: 09.30 - 17.30 or 10.00 - 18.00 by arrangement Life insurance: Amnesty International provide a Death in Service benefit of 4 x gross salary. Pension: After six consecutive months of service staff are automatically enrolled in the Amnesty International Superannuation Scheme. This is a defined contribution to which Amnesty International contributes 7.5% of gross salary and will match individual employee contributions up to an additional 3%. Probation: A six month probation period will be included in the contract for this position. Relocation: A generous relocation assistance package will be available for staff members (and their dependents) recruited from over 80km/50 miles from the International Secretariat office in which the post is based. Right to Work: Should it be possible to obtain a UK work permit for this post? Possibly, depending upon sponsorship availablility and individual eligibility under the Home Office's points based system. Individuals should ascertain their eligibility to work in the UK in this post before applying for a London based job with Amnesty International by using the points based calculator at http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator. 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.
Equality Statement	Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff are expected to 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.
Conflict of Interest	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 Amnesty International’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.
External Advert Closing Date	16-Mar-2011