Project Coordinator 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 human 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 working towards 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, Ghana, and New Delhi. Our global work focuses on the intersection of human rights, transparency and good governance. CHRI’s long established programmes in India where it is headquartered have evolved around Access to Justice (Police and Prison reforms) and Access to Information (Right to Information) with a new programme on media freedom.

Its work on Eradicating Contemporary Forms of Slavery and Human Trafficking is led by CHRI’s London office, which also founded and acts as the Secretariat for 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 8.7 Network, see the network website.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will demonstrate excellent organisation and flexibility, and will be expected to support the design and delivery of project and programmes, in particular our programme on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery and lead the overall coordination of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network. This will include the following responsibilities::

1. Lead the overall coordination of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network on behalf of CHRI, which performs a Secretariat role to the network;
2. Support membership drive to the Network, including the receipt, review and due diligence related to membership applications, reaching out to potential new members, and regularly updating the Network’s membership database;
3. Support the development and implementation of a social media/communication strategy for the Network and oversee social media communications;
4. Web design and website management using Wix;
5. Support and coordinate Network’s information/knowledge Management;
6. Lead on the compilation and dissemination of the Network’s Quarterly Newsletter, working with the Advocacy and Engagement Sub-Committee;
7. Coordinate the organisation and delivery of capacity building, trainings and webinars, including online organisation for virtual webinars, and providing logistical support such as booking flights and hotels for travel, processing payments, booking rooms and organising meetings etc, for in person workshops;
8. Contribute to the drafting of research reports, advocacy statements and submissions for the UN and other stakeholders;
9. Organising and scheduling meetings of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network’s Management Committee, and Sub-Committees; and Annual General Meetings;
10. Attend and participate in the Network’s Management Committee, Sub-Committee and Annual General meetings, and oversee the drafting of minutes as required;
11. Research and write reports and correspondence, including reports to the CHRI Executive Committee;
12. Co-ordinate the recruitment, selection and induction of CHRI interns, and manage interns from time to time;
13. Provide office administration and operational support, including managing post and email correspondence, and overseeing our contractual relationship with partners;
14. Develop and update office policies and guidelines, as required;
15. Organise, attend and participate in team meetings including chairing of meetings;
16. Maintain an organised document management system;
17. Maintain manual and computerised records & databases including mailings lists, in line with GDPR regulation;
18. Provide general support to the office and 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 support to a fast-paced global team, in the area of human rights or development

● Coordinating and strengthening civil society networks/coalitions

● Some project management experience

● Maintaining document management systems

● Acting as the first point of contact for an organisation

● Scheduling meetings and/or event management, including using digital platforms (Google Calendar, Zoom)

● Organisation of events and travel

● Financial management – including processing invoices and monitoring project budgets

● Experience working as part of an international, cross-cultural team

Skills:

● Digital communication skills, including writing content, and use of social media to promote messages

● 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

● Strong inter-cultural understanding and experience

Desirable:

Education:

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

● Working knowledge of other languages, particularly French, would be an advantage

Experience:

● Some campaigning experience

● Knowledge of GDPR regulation useful

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.