REFUGEE OFFICER (AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL)



Please see job description and person specification below for a 3-month

temporary post of Refugee Officer in the Refugee and Migrants' rights team

in Amnesty International's International Secretariat. The position is

based in London, and the starting salary is £27023 per annum. We would

want the successful candidate to start as soon as possible, preferably not

later than 1 September.



How to apply

Send your application to Human Resources Program, International

Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 0DW or

fax it to: (+44) (+20) 7413 5822

A printable application form is available here:

http://web.amnesty.org/web/hrpjobs.nsf/515b5469b5d6ba8e80256ec1004cedac/$FILE/ATTG4D74/Application%20form.pdf

You can apply online through changing the field with the job title in the

online application form of another vacancy advertised at http://www.amnesty.org , for instance through this link:

https://secure.amnesty.org/web/hrpjobs.nsf/application?openform&job_title=Audio-%20Visual%20Archivist&RefNo=IRP/04/05

You can also send your application via email to [log in to unmask]

The closing date for applications is Monday 2 August 2004.



Please note that there is no reference number for this post!



Background



The International Secretariat, located in Clerkenwell in central London,

is Amnesty International's global centre for research, campaigning, legal,

lobbying and membership work. The Secretariat works with AI's national

sections and structures in over 50 countries, together creating a

worldwide movement promoting human rights for all and actively opposing

human rights violations.



The International Secretariat's Refugee and Migrants' Rights Team has four

members. Three persons are based in London and one person is based in

Geneva. If you have any questions on the work of the Refugee and Migrants'

Rights Team, please send an email to [log in to unmask] or call Lars

Olsson on +442074135604.



Unfortunately, due to the short-term nature of the contract we believe

that we will be unsuccesful in obtaining a work permit for this post. For

this reason you should only apply if you already have the right to work

within the United Kingdom. This includes citizens of the European Union.

Please refer to http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/ for more information about work permit eligibility.

Please send this message to anyone who might have an interest in applying.

The position is not advertised on http://www.amnesty.org or in the press!



JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:              Refugee Officer

Program:                Policy and Evaluation Program

Grade:          C (full-time)

Reports to:             Refugee and Migrants Rights Coordinator

Overall Purpose of job:

To contribute to the planning, coordination, development and

implementation of AI's work on behalf of those forcibly displaced (asylum

seekers, refugees and the internally displaced), particularly with regard

to providing advice and supporting membership action, in order to

contribute to the effective achievement of the mission of the Policy and

Evaluation Program.

Primary tasks:

1.       To collaborate with the Refugee and Migrants Rights Coordinator

in the development, planning and implementation of AI's strategy for the

protection and promotion worldwide of the rights of refugees (ie asylum

seekers, refugees and the internally displaced for the purposes of this

job description), including by contributing to the development of AI

policies, the monitoring and analysis of political, legislative and other

developments relevant to AI's refugee work worldwide, in order to propose

and coordinate appropriate action by AI.

2.      To provide legal, policy and mandate advice on refugee cases and

issues to AI staff, sections and other AI membership bodies, reviewing and

approving AI materials for accuracy and relevance with respect to AI's

refugee policy and international standards, responding to relevant

inquiries in a timely manner and one which takes due account of the needs

of people of different cultures.

3.      To participate in AI missions and write or approve materials for

external and internal circulation relating to AI's refugee work, taking

due account of the needs of people of different cultures, and to

collaborate with country and regional specialists and others in the

development of campaigning and other action materials relating to AI's

refugee concerns.

4      To contribute to the development of training materials and

participating in training initiatives for AI staff and membership.

5.       To contribute to the development and maintenance of comprehensive

reference materials relating to AI's refugee work.

6.     To collaborate in the maintenance and further development of AI's

relations with UNHCR, other IGOs and NGOs relevant to AI's refugee work,

including by representing AI at relevant meetings, lobbying government

delegates, and acting as AI's spokesperson on refugee issues as

appropriate.

7.      To carry out project work as appropriate and own administrative

tasks, in accordance with the guidelines on self-servicing, and to

collaborate with the Refugee and Migrants Rights Coordinator in

supervising, providing support and feedback to temporary staff, interns

and volunteers.



PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skills and abilities

Knowledge of Refugee Law and International Issues:

good knowledge of international refugee law, through education or

practical experience,  in order to be able to advise AI on legal issues

relating to refugees; good understanding of issues on refugee protection being 

debated internationally, in order to be able to advise on AI's contribution to

such debates; good understanding of refugee status determination

procedures in theory and practice, including role of UNHCR; good

understanding of international human rights law, particularly in the areas

relevant to refugee work, such as freedom of movement, detention and

extradition.



Ability to Advise:

good oral and written communication skills (ability to express ideas in a

clear, systematic, accurate and concise way) so as to advise effectively

on legal and policy issues; good written and oral command of the English

language (sufficient to be able to communicate as above); good

interpersonal skills (ability to comment on other people's work and advise

in a constructive way, supporting and motivating others and being

sensitive to other people, including people of different cultures, while

being firm where necessary); good political judgement (ability to

understand and exploit the opportunities presented by certain situations

to pursue specific goals: this includes what levels of consultation and

decision-making would be appropriate; what impact specific decisions may

have on related areas; what response could be anticipated; sensitivity to

nuance).



Ability to Contribute to Policy Development:

good analytical skills (having a good picture of an issue and how its

various aspects are related); ability to be forward looking and to explore

options for change, taking into account international standards and AI's

strengths.



Ability to Coordinate Campaigning:

ability to coordinate AI's response to refugee cases and issues, including

urgent interventions; ability to monitor implementation of refugee policy

and check documents for accuracy; attention to detail.



Ability to Work As Part of A Team:

ability to set own priorities, plan, meet deadlines; ability to consult

with and report to Refugee and Migrants Rights Coordinator; systematic

approach in organizing information; readiness to provide cover for other

team members; ability to work under pressure.

Commitment to Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy:

Commitment to AI's CDEOP policy and willingness to apply it in own work

environment; Ability to interact with people of different cultures and

backgrounds in a sensitive and positive manner.



Commitment to Human Rights:

Commitment to the overall objectives of AI and to make best use of and

develop the strengths of AI, including those within the membership, in the

pursuit of such objectives.



Willingness to Use New Technology:

including using e-mail and whatever else might be required by the

guidelines on self-servicing.



Desirable skills and abilities:

good external representational skills (ability to represent AI on refugee

matters, including to the media);        ability to discuss with governments, IGOs such as the UNHCR, and NGOs

(diplomatic approach: firm on substance but adaptable in presentation

according to political and cultural circumstances); ability and

willingness to travel to meetings and on mission; understanding of AI's

mission basic concepts and of research and campaigning work for a

membership organization such as AI, so as to be able to advise on actions

;        knowledge of languages other than English; familiarity with databases.

Disqualifiers:

involvement with a government or a political or other group which may

compromise AI's image of independence and impartiality.



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