Position: Human Rights Researcher

Location: Remote

Contract Type: Full Time

Term: 10 months

About Project Expedite Justice

Project Expedite Justice (PEJ), founded in 2016, is a United States-based NGO with 501(c)(3) charitable organization designation.

PEJ's mission is to use all available legal options to seek justice for individuals inadequately protected under the law, who cannot access legal resources, and who are exploited by governments, corporations, or others.

PEJ applies a novel, victim-centered approach to addressing mass atrocities. PEJ's 3-step model includes training, mentoring, and providing independent legal consulting. We partner with and train local lawyers and investigators to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence according to international legal standards. Without evidence, there can be no accountability. We further build local capabilities and advance the justice process through case-specific mentoring and strategic guidance to local legal practitioners and investigators. Finally, we partner with local NGOs, pro bono law firms, and legal clinics to represent victims of international crimes and serious human rights abuses in court or alternative judicial mechanisms.

PEJ has projects in several countries. Our inclusive team includes people working remotely from Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the US. We are deeply committed to increasing opportunities for lawyers and other human rights defenders from the global majority or global south to participate in international rule-of-law-based nonprofit work. People from countries from the global majority are encouraged to apply for this role.

What is the job?

PEJ is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented researcher/human rights professional to join our dynamic team. This is a remote consultancy position offering the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work from anywhere in the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, monitor, and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources, including direct individuals, grassroots organizations, open-source data, and document sources, court documents, government officials, members of the security forces, witnesses, academics, journalists, diplomats, and other reliable sources; undertake “desk” research.

• Analyze and archive information collected from the research in a designated database.

• Place abuses and threats to democracy within the broader political, social, and economic context and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media.

• Assist in the preparation of technical reports and publications.

• Assist in the development and conduct of capacity capacity-building activities related to human rights and advocacy

• Work with colleagues to develop multimedia, social media, and video content that communicates the advocacy goals and key findings from investigations.

• Support advocacy and undertake public engagement to raise public awareness of human rights issues

• Engage with other subject matter stakeholders in forums and working groups

• Assist with general administration tasks, including handling correspondence, organizing events, and writing minutes of meetings.

• Perform other tasks as may be required OR assigned by members of the senior country team.

Profile: Qualifications and Attributes

Education and Experience

• A degree in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, political science, government, criminal justice, or related studies.
  

• A minimum of three years of relevant experience in human rights research.

• Experience working for an international human rights organization in a research function is highly desirable.

• Experience working with community-based organizations is an advantage.

Related Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice issues; firmly committed to PEJ’s mission, principles, and values.

• Demonstrates professional competence, mastery of subject matter, and strong research

skills.

• Very strong knowledge of the broader political and socioeconomic situation in Sudan.

• Knowledge of human rights issues and ability to identify related problems in their political, ethnic, racial, gender equality, and socio-economic dimensions.

• Ability to identify sources for data collection, research and analyze information, and draft human rights reports.

• Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including those directly impacted, are required.

• Ability to identify, research, analyze, and effectively communicate important human rights developments in Sudan.

• Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess the impact on the human rights situation in the area of assignment.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work autonomously in a remote setting.

• Strong oral and written communication. Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is essential.

• Good computer processing and administrative skills including word processing and data entry. Previous experience with human rights databases is an advantage.

• Proficiency with social media is a strong asset.

• Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues.

• High level of self-motivation and at ease working independently when necessary

• Excellent presentation, writing, editing, research, oral advocacy, and communication skills.

• Proven ability to handle confidential matters.

• Ability to organize and drive projects to timely completion.

• Ability to work collaboratively, multi-task, and work under pressure.

• Self-motivated; ability to work under minimal supervision while regularly communicating with colleagues and supervisors.

How to Apply:

Email recruitment@projectexpeditejustice.org with "Application: Human Rights Researcher" in the subject line, and attach:

• CV/resume.

• Cover letter.

• Optional: Writing sample.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

By submitting your application, you consent to a reference check, where we will contact up to three professional references you provide.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.