Senior Crisis Advisor Amnesty International
ABOUT THE ROLE:
In this exciting, high-profile role we’ll look to you for stand-by, expert capacity for immediate deployment to conflict areas or other crisis situations, where you’ll often be Amnesty International’s frontline representative, carrying out rapid response research, media work and advocacy. You will also provide regular security and other related advice on human rights work in situations of crisis while contributing substantially to policy development.
ABOUT YOU:
With extensive experience of working in conflict zones and undertaking human rights research in crisis or emergency situations, ideally in more than one region, you have proven ability to investigate human rights abuses, analyse your findings and report them quickly and accurately. You express ideas in a fluent, clear and concise way in both English and at least one other relevant language. You possess expert knowledge of humanitarian law and the operations of military, security forces and IGOs/NGOs. You have demonstrated political judgement and a strong ability to communicate the organization’s messages effectively through a variety of media and directly to policy makers. You are able to work independently, quickly and well under pressure, and deal comfortably with rapidly changing demands and situations.
ABOUT US:
Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, freedom and truth wherever they’re denied. Already our network of over 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 PURPOSE:
Human rights crises, including situations of armed conflict, massive civilian displacement, or large-scale killing, demand a rapid response, often requiring the temporary assignment in the field of a skilled and experienced researcher to work with the organization’s existing regional experts. The emergency researcher will generally be the organization’s most visible, front-line representative in the crisis. Essential tasks include research, writing, press work, and advocacy – all in difficult and often dangerous circumstances, and with pressing deadlines. The advisor will also provide advice on security issues and conflict research methodology and develop related training.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Reporting to: Research and Crisis Response Director
People that this job manages: This post has no line management responsibility, but will head crisis delegations in the field.
Other key relationships:
The Senior Crisis Advisor works in close collaboration with the other members of the RCR and the staff in the regional and other programs (particularly media, policy and campaigns) engaged in crisis work in the International Secretariat and in the AI movement.
Job Description
- AI’s point person in responding to crises. This includes being on stand-by for immediate deployment to areas of conflict to carry out initial research and advocacy; acting as head of mission and key advisor for AI field missions in specific crisis situations; acting as a senior adviser to AI research and campaign teams and managers working on the crisis from IS offices.
- Senior spokesperson for AI in the field, including with media, government and military officials, and in other forums with a view to ensuring that violations of international human rights and humanitarian law are exposed and appropriately addressed.
- Carry out crisis-related media work, including producing media materials, developing networks of relevant media contacts, implementing media strategy during crisis field missions.
- Provide expert advice to research staff on conflict and other crisis research methodology, including assessment of military and security operations
- Provide authoritative policy advice on conflict and other crisis situations to research staff, contribute to research reports and briefings, and to organizational policy and crisis strategy
- Devise and implement advocacy and campaigning strategies for addressing the abuses documented, including by targeting parties to the conflict, influential institutions and governments
- Provide security advice and review risk assessments and security plans for missions
- Develop and implement standards for research staff to follow in crisis situations, including regular updating of security guidelines for missions and other travel, training in their implementation and review and advise on external training programs
- Develop and maintain a list of potential delegates, including military experts, available for crisis work
- Contribute to the evaluation of crisis work
- Perform 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?
- A successful Senior Crisis Advisor will have led timely crisis response field missions, researching and generating prompt documentary and media outputs, acting as the organization’s most visible, front-line representative; will have provided regular security and other related advice and training on human rights work in situations of crisis; and will have contributed substantially to policy development on conflict and other crisis situations.
- S/he will have contributed to the implementation of AI’s mission, upholding AI’s values at all times.
Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience of working in conflict-affected areas and undertaking research in conflict situations, ideally in more than one region; excellent awareness of security issues and ability to handle them appropriately.
- Expert knowledge of international humanitarian law, both theory and practice, and good knowledge of international human rights law.
- Substantial knowledge of the operations of the military, security forces and humanitarian IGOs and NGOs.
- Ability to represent AI as a senior spokesperson to national and international media, government, parliamentary and military officials, and humanitarian organizations, and communicate the organization’s messages effectively through a variety of media.
- Excellent writing skills: demonstrated ability to express ideas in a fluent, clear and concise way, both orally and in writing, in English and other relevant languages.
- Experience of drafting high-quality media materials and other documents, such as reports, action materials, and government correspondence under pressure and to tight timelines.
- Excellent political judgment and substantial experience of exercising judgment in conflict and crisis situations.
- Experience of dealing appropriately and ethically with a variety of people, including survivors of human rights abuses and others who may be distressed, employing sensitivity and discretion when dealing with gender-related investigations, such as research on sexual violence.
- Experience of working within a team and of leading a team, understanding the importance of efficient communications for the coordination and effective functioning of teams, particularly in dangerous and/or high pressure situations.
- Experience of managing conflicting demands, meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities in high pressure circumstances. Maintains personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations.
- Ability and willingness to undertake personal administrative tasks in accordance with AI’s guidelines on self-servicing;
- Demonstrated commitment to human rights, e.g. through previous work, membership of an organization, involvement in advocacy on human rights and understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender issues as well as a commitment to apply relevant policies.
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