Policy Advisor at Amnesty International

Job Reference	LPP/LPT/PA03
Title	Policy Adviser
Team	Law and Policy
Programme	Law and Policy
Advert	Amnesty International is seeking a Policy Adviser.  As Policy Adviser you will work closely with country and thematic researchers, advocates and campaigners in the International Secretariat and sections and structures on the application and development of AI’s human rights policies with regard to research projects, advocacy initiatives, and campaigns. You will be expected to develop specific areas of expertise within the programme. You will also work with senior legal and policy advisers and assistant advisers to ensure effective, coherent and timely approvals and consultations.  You will have demonstrated excellent research, analytical and writing skills as well as strong advisory and communication skills. You will have experience of planning, organizing and prioritising work under pressure and to deadlines. Excellent team skills are essential in this position. You will also have excellent external representational skills. You will have outstanding written and verbal English and the ability to work in Spanish. You will have professional experience in human rights or a related field. You will have the ability to formulate coherent policies based on a detailed understanding of human rights principles and AI’s core values. You will have good knowledge of law, politics, international relations or other fields related to human rights.  Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people standing up for human rights. We are independent and impartial and our campaigning is based on accurate and timely research. Our network extends to more than two million members and subscribers in more than 150 countries around the world. Each one of us is outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world – and together we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity.
Job Summary	JOB PURPOSE: To provide advice regarding AI’s policy position on a specified area of Human Rights, and to draft policy documents recommending a position for the organization on new or emerging human rights issues – supporting the Senior Policy Advisers in translating legal analysis into actions for the Movement DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: To provide leadership in the areas of legal standard-setting, developments in international and post-conflict justice, human rights jurisprudence, international humanitarian law, effective implementation of the law and the development and application of human rights policy. To provide legal and policy advice and analysis to the International Secretariat and the movement to ensure the accuracy of the analysis and application of law and policy and thus maximizing impact. Ensure that Amnesty International maintains its pre-eminent position in the field of human rights legal and policy analysis. AIIS PURPOSE: The International Secretariat, which operates from a number of sites around the world, gathers and communicates accurate and action-oriented human rights information globally. We campaign for meaningful human rights change; enable effective human rights activism and work to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights standards.  We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the Amnesty International movement globally, fostering Amnesty International’s contribution, presence and public accountability throughout the world. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Reporting to: Senior Legal Adviser with Management Responsibility for International Law and Policy Posts that this job manages: None Other key relationships: Senior Director for International Law and Policy, the PD of Law and Policy, Senior legal and policy advisers, staff in other programs (international advocacy, global thematic issues, regions, communications, campaigns, research methods and standards, human rights strategy and gender, sexuality and identity), legal advisers, assistant legal and policy advisers and case manager in the programme, AI sections and structures, key human rights actors outside AI, e.g. within the NGO community, the UN system, the field of international law and policy and academia. USEFUL INFORMATION: The Policy Advisers will be members of a team of legal and policy advisers who will support the development of AI’s legal and policy work proactively through working with a senior legal or policy advisers on specific initiatives and ensure that the approvals process within the Amnesty Movement results in the strongest possible documents and advocacy and campaigning tools. The Policy Advisers will work closely with country and thematic researchers, advocates and campaigners in the IS and sections and structures on the application and development of AI’s human rights policies with regard to research projects, advocacy initiatives, and campaigns. The Policy Advisers will be expected to develop specific areas of expertise within the programme. Role holders will be recruited with experience in specific areas of human rights – to ensure a balance of knowledge across the team. Work with senior legal and policy advisers and assistant advisers to ensure effective, coherent and timely approvals and consultations. Must be available to travel; required to participate in some international AI meetings. LOCATION: London or  as agreed by the Programme Director
Job Description	1. To support Senior Policy Advisers in the development of proposed policy positions, and the application of AI’s legal analysis to human rights situations, drafting policy proposals that will translate analysis into action that will develop and implement AI’s strategic goals and global campaigns, drawing on international law, AI precedent, and best practice of other agencies. 2. Provide advice on the application of AI’s policy to country and thematic specialists and others at the IS and the wider Movement, in order to contribute to the consistent, accurate, timely and impartial documentation and presentation of Amnesty International’s concerns. 3. Approve and write materials for external and internal publication related to existing and emerging human rights issues and other themes related to AI's concerns (including external documents, briefing and discussion papers, AI policy guidelines) and assisting in the preparation/writing of country/thematic reports as required to contribute to ensure policy is consistently applied and published – referring to Senior Policy Advisers for more detailed expertise where appropriate. 4. Contribute to the maintenance and availability of comprehensive reference materials relating to the development and application of AI's policies in order to facilitate its consistent and innovative application. 5. Represent AI for a related to areas of expertise (as requested) to raise public awareness of AI and its concerns, and position AI at the forefront of the human rights movement. 6. Manage small project teams on specific areas, and participate in crisis response and other project teams as appropriate. 7. Support the management of the Law and Policy Programme within agreed areas of responsibility and contribute to the overall smooth running of the programme.
What does success look like in this job?	1. The Law and Policy Programme deliver timely advice on law and policies which contribute to strategies that promote the rules of law and respect for human at the international, regional, state and local level. 2. The Law and Policy Programme provide timely, clear and accessible legal and policy advice to IS staff, the AI movement and partners throughout the world to enable AI and its partners to actively shape the global human rights agenda. 3. The Law and Policy Program provide expert analysis and advice to ensure that AI can initiate and lead in responding to crises or emerging opportunities. 4. The Law and Policy Program represent AI effectively externally where a high profile is needed, whether in the field, with international organizations or other settings or provide the expertise for other AI staff to represent AI in these venues. 5. The Policy Adviser effectively manages any staff allocated to them on an ad hoc to deliver specific projects as defined in light of AI’s priorities. 6. The Law and Policy Programme develops and maintains strong relationships within the IS, the AI movement and key external stakeholders who see the programme as a source of expert, timely, accessible and clear advice and judgment.
Skills & Experience	1. Professional experience in human rights or a related field 2. Ability to formulate coherent policies based on a detailed understanding of human rights principles and AI’s core values 3. Good knowledge of law, politics, international relations, or other fields related to human rights 4. Demonstrated research, analytical and writing skills 5. Strong advisory and communication skills 6. Excellent team skills
Terms and Conditions	Salary: Full time salary of £41,124 per annumHours: 35 hours per weekLocation: London Contract duration: Fixed term contract of two years in durationHolidays: 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 arrangementLife 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.Work Permit: Should it be possible to obtain a UK work permit for this post? 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, volunteers and interns 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 AI'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	06-Jul-2011