Omega Research Foundation (ORF)

Omega Research Foundation (ORF) Job Description

Title: One year fixed term Research Associate

Location: Manchester, UK

Salary in the range: £30,000-£38,000

Researcher duties include:

 Conducting primary research into the arms and security trade and the human rights impact of military and policing equipment, collating and analysing data collected. This will involve both corporate and product research. This work may sometimes necessitate undertaking overseas research missions, possibly in North or South America, Asia, Southern Africa or Europe, and may involve working with journalists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the UK and abroad.

 Running, updating and maintaining ORF’s extensive arms and security database and photo-database. This requires regular data-inputting and scanning of documents.

 Preparing and carrying out training for local NGOs, activists and journalists.

 Writing and editing of a wide range of reports, articles, papers, press releases, etc, on the arms and security trade.

 Undertaking high-level governmental and IGO advocacy work, attempting to influence a range of actors including both national and regional trade control officials, MEPs, governmental officials, IGO officials particularly from the European Union.

 Responding to information requests on the arms and security trade from NGOs, journalists, academics, governments and IGOs.

 Carrying out a range of press work including: responding to media enquiries, undertaking briefings with radio, TV and print journalists.

 Carrying out administrative and executive tasks to facilitate the efficient running of the organisation.

 Project management of a variety of long term research, publication and administration projects, often involving liaison with and coordination of the activities of partner NGOs as well as ORF colleagues.

 In collaboration with other staff:

- Feeding into financial management including budget setting and monitoring.

- Researching, writing and monitoring a range of fundraising bids for both ORF core activities and research projects.

 All reasonable tasks requested of them by the majority of staff members and Board of Trustees.

Omega Research Foundation Office 1-3, Floor 3, Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick St, Manchester M4 7HR, U.K. [email protected] About the Omega Research Foundation

Omega is a UK-based research organisation, established in 1990 to research the impact on human rights of international transfers of Military, Security and Police (MSP) technologies. Such technologies range from small arms and light weapons to large weapons systems, policing technologies, equipment used for torture, and the security infrastructure of repressive states. Omega’s work shows how inadequate controls on the MSP trade help facilitate human rights violations; fuel conflict and regional instability; and undermine security and sustainable development.

To our knowledge no other organisation worldwide undertakes such comprehensive monitoring of the international MSP trade.

Aims  To monitor the international MSP trade in the pursuit of transparency and accountability;  To provide campaigning organisations with timely and accurate case study information to lobby for tougher controls on international MSP equipment transfers;  To work with NGOs and media agencies to expose companies and governments that flout regulations on transfers of arms and security equipment.

Organisational and reporting structure

The Omega Research Foundation is a co-operative organisation, working within a flat management structure. All employees of ORF must pursue the objects of the charity as laid out in the governing document.

Major projects undertaken by ORF are planned, monitored and assessed at regular team meetings, with a specific member of staff designated as project manager.

Project managers report to the team meeting on the status of the project. It is the responsibility of project managers to ensure that other team members are kept informed as to the project’s progress and any difficulties or delays to which the project may be subjected.

Status

The post is for one year initially, subject to satisfactory reviews after three months, with the possibility for extension depending on the ongoing funding of ORF.

35 hours per week.  In most instances these will fall between 9.00am and 5.00pm on weekdays  The nature of the work requires some out of hours work

Holidays

Full time employees (35 hours per week) are entitled to 28 days paid holiday per year plus public holidays and bank holidays. Part time employees receive a pro rata entitlement. Omega Research Foundation Office 1-3, Floor 3, Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick St, Manchester M4 7HR, U.K. [email protected] Statutory Rights

ORF employees are entitled to full statutory rights with regard to sick leave, maternity / paternity leave, redundancy and all other areas covered by employment law.

Applications

If you would like to apply for this post, please send a CV with a covering letter describing why you are suitable. The covering letter must refer specifically to the job description and person specification – and will be assessed against them. This should reach us no later than 10am on Tuesday 28th April.

We would be happy to consider applications from individuals wishing to take on the role on a part-time or job share basis.

Interviews will be held in Manchester during the week beginning 18th May. Short- listed candidates will be informed by 8th May.

We apologise that we are unable to contact all applicants. If you have not heard from us by the end of 8th May please assume that you have been unsuccessful.

Omega Research Foundation Office 1-3, Floor 3, Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick St, Manchester M4 7HR, U.K. [email protected]