Job Description

The Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice is a multi-ethnic non-partisan organisation that aims to bring about a just and lasting peace in Sri Lanka based upon accountability and respect for human rights. We are a small but effective operation, with two staff members (including this role) and a network of volunteers and supporters. We are seeking an exceptional candidate to fill the role of Deputy Campaign Director.

Main Responsibilities

The Deputy Campaign Director’s role will be to support the Campaign Director across all aspects of the organisation’s work, including communications, research, advocacy, campaigns, fundraising, and administration.

This is a great opportunity for a proactive person committed to the multi-ethnic, non-partisan approach of the Sri Lanka Campaign and passionate about peace, justice, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. The successful candidate will develop their skills as a human rights campaigner and gain experience of working in a micro-organisation.

Candidates should have some understanding of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and the circumstances surrounding the civil war and its aftermath, as well as a willingness to quickly develop their knowledge in post.

Candidates should be confident written communicators and be able to communicate ideas in a persuasive and effective manner. The right candidate will be willing to take initiative and develop their own ideas and projects in partnership with the Director.

Candidates with experience of working on human rights issues are strongly encouraged to apply.  We are looking for individuals who will engage with a broad range of stakeholders in a sensitive, thoughtful, and professional way.  Demonstrable experience of running campaigns, managing social media, or conducting desk based and field research, will be advantageous.

This role is flexible, with the opportunity to take on significant responsibility and get involved in a wide variety of tasks.

Key Tasks

-To monitor the political and human rights situation in Sri Lanka

-To manage, source, and produce content for the Sri Lanka Campaign’s blog and social media channels

-To assist the Director in developing and delivering public campaigns and face-to-face advocacy work, particularly with the UN Human Rights Council and key member states

-To conduct independent desk research and produce in-depth research reports on human rights issues in Sri Lanka

-To design infographics and other visuals to display data and research concisely and creatively for use on social media and in written materials

-To engage with our network of volunteers and supporters

-To work with the Director to develop the organisation’s fundraising strategy, including running fundraising appeals and drafting grant funding applications

-To deputise for the Director when required

Person Specification

Essential

• A passion for human rights and commitment to a multi-ethnic and non-partisan approach to human rights and peacebuilding in Sri Lanka
• Self-starter with strong project management skills, the ability to prioritise and work to agreed deadlines with limited supervision
• Exceptional written communications skills
• Experience of and enthusiasm for using social media in a campaigning context, preferably with a human rights focus
• Experience of carrying out independent research with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to build professional relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders
• Basic knowledge and understanding of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka

Desirable

• A detailed understanding of the recent history and politics, including the events of the war, and the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka
• A relevant academic qualification (for example, in international law, human rights, peacebuilding or international relations)
• Experience of human rights campaigning, research, or face-to-face advocacy work
• Knowledge and/or experience of the UN human rights system, especially the Human Rights Council, and other UN mechanisms and bodies
• Experience of maintaining and adding content to websites

How to Apply

To apply, please email a copy of your CV (2 pages max), along with a cover letter (500 words max) explaining why you are a good fit for the role, to Melissa Dring at info@srilankacampaign.org.  Please mark the subject line as follows: [Your Name] – Deputy Campaign Director Application.

The deadline for applications is 11:30pm Tuesday 6th October 2020. Interviews will be held virtually in the week commencing 12th October. There will be a short written assessment which you will be asked to prepare in advance.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, ethnicity, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, or age. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

For any questions about the role or the application process, please feel free to contact us at the email listed above.