About

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit, organisation headquartered in New Delhi, with offices in London, UK, and Accra, Ghana. Since 1987, it has worked for the practical realization of human rights through research, strategic advocacy, capacity building, engagement and mobilization within the Commonwealth. CHRI specializes in the areas of access to justice, with a focus on police and prison reforms, and access to information. It works to address pressures on the freedom of expression and on media rights, as well as building the capacity of civil society in small states to access UN human rights mechanisms. CHRI also works to support the achievement of SDG Target 8.7 and the eradication of contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking through research and grassroots mobilisation. CHRI is a Commonwealth Accredited Organisation and has a Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC. It is registered as a society in India, a Company Limited by Guarantee in Ghana, and a public charity in the United Kingdom.

About the Job

Job Description

The Director will be responsible for the overall strategic and operational responsibility for all staff, programs, expansion activities, and execution of CHRI’s mission. S/he will initially need to develop deep knowledge of CHRI’s field, core programs and operations.

Leadership and Management

  • To ensure ongoing excellence across programmes, administration and financial management.
  • Build partnerships with governments, civil society, human rights defenders, non-profits, academic institutions and funders.

Fundraising & Communications:

  • Enable revenue generation and fundraising.
  • Deepen and refine all aspects of internal and external communications and ensure security of the same.

Strategic Planning:

  • Sustain and develop new initiatives while strengthening key thematics.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

Age: Under 65 years at the time of application.

Educational Qualification: Graduate degree, preferably in Human Rights, Law, or related fields.

Experience: 10-15 years of work in the field of human rights and having held a position of senior programme management in an organization working in this field for not less than 7 years.

Demonstrable commitment to Human Rights and democratic principles.

Core Knowledge & Skills

  • Familiarity with CHRI’s field of activities.
  • Knowledge and experience in fields of activities closely related to CHRI’s areas of work, including the relevant Indian laws.
  • Understanding of international and UN laws, covenants and mechanisms relevant to CHRI’s areas of work.
  • Ability to articulate issues relating to the work, vision and mission of CHRI and to represent CHRI at national and international forums and address the media.
  • Demonstrable ability to raise funds.
  • Ability to be open for communication with staff, with due empathy, tact and frankness.
  • Knowledge and ability to exercise administrative and financial oversight in organizational matters.
  • Ability to work effectively with teams as a leader and colleague. Demonstrable leadership qualities of openness, equity and empathy.
  • Well-informed on key contemporary issues.
  • Working knowledge and understanding of IT systems including but not limited to websites, social media platforms, application development (specific to CHRI programmes), digital security and privacy.
  • Ability to network with leaders in government, funders, institutions, media, partners, CSO groups.
  • Ability to assess risks and take measures for mitigation.
  • Ability to consider and move decisively on strategic interventions.
  • Commitment to gender equity and safety.

To apply for the position, please send your resume to the following email ID: applicationfordirector@humanrightsinitiative.org

Deadline for applications: 15 January 2022.

CHRI will respond to shortlisted candidates only.

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