JOB INFORMATION PACK Senior Researcher
Post Details
Job title: Senior Researcher
Reports to: Campaigns & Advocacy Manger
Key relationships: Media Officer, Research Manager (in field) Digital Lead, Fundraising Manager
Working hours: 35 hours per week, flexible hours and home working allowed.
Salary: Up to £29,000 Location: During the period of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have shifted to primarily home-based working pattern for most staff. The post holder would not be required to be in the office on a weekly basis but would be expected to attend a face to face meeting in the office in Brixton, London once a month.
Post Summary
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with research and writing skills and knowledge of the situation in Tibet to communicate what is happening in Tibet to the world.
Tibet Watch’s field research team in Dharamsala, India, is our most important connection to Tibet, and is key to our understanding of the situation there and the fact-based reporting that is so vital for our advocacy and campaigns. Your role will be a London-based link person to communicate with, evaluate, synthesise and steer information from that research team. You will ensure that evidence gathered by the field team is processed and turned into reports, news stories and human rights submissions in order to bring China’s repression and human rights abuses in Tibet to the attention of key stakeholders and the public. You will provide direction and coordination to the team as well as providing editorial output.
The Senior Researcher will be part of a small, closely knit team which operates on a flexible basis. We offer 25 days pro rata annual leave in addition to public holidays and time off over Christmas. Additional benefits include a flexi-time policy, pension scheme and interest free season ticket loans.
We encourage Tibetans to apply for this position. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
Tibet Watch
Tibet Watch is a UK registered charity (No. 1114404) established in 2006 to promote the human rights of the Tibetan people through human rights monitoring, research and international advocacy.
We document and expose the ongoing human rights abuse in Tibet using a wide range of sources. Our researchers seek to understand the situation inside Tibet by gathering and interpreting information from a variety of sources, including individuals who are committed to ensuring that the world knows about China’s JOB INFORMATION PACK Senior Researcher oppression and brutality in Tibet. We also carry out interviews with Tibetans whenever possible monitor Chinese government websites and media, track changes in policy or law and review Chinese, Tibetan and English language news. Accuracy is vital in our work and so all of the information we disseminate is verified and corroborated before being published or passed on. Our primary means of disseminating information is through our partner organisation, Free Tibet. Our information is also used by national governments, UN bodies, NGOs, campaigning groups and international media.
In addition to sharing the results of our monitoring work with third parties, we use it to produce thematic reports on key issues. In recent years, this has included torture, the destruction of Tibetan monastic communities, environmental damage and crackdowns on Tibet’s religion and culture. We also undertake regular advocacy with the UK government, other national governments and the UN.
Job Description Human Rights Monitoring Maintain daily communication (on working days) with the field research team and be the main point of contact between the field office and the London office. Review information on human rights incidents and the general situation in Tibet provided by the field research team – checking for factual accuracy, language accuracy, level of detail and corroboration. Review any potential security concerns and maintain strict security protocols, including relating to the dissemination of the information provided. Advise the Chief Executive of any risks identified. Liaise with, advise and guide the Free Tibet campaigns team regarding the publication of information and provide the necessary content.
Research/Analysis/Writing In collaboration with Tibet Watch colleagues, identify and analyse the impact of any new policies, state practices or other state intervention in Tibet on the socio, economic, civil and political rights of Tibetans. Keep up to date with key developments in Tibet and China (including social, political, economic, environmental and legal changes). Identify, analyse and report any relevant trends to the Chief Executive. Work with Tibet Watch colleagues to identify suitable topics for short thematic reports. Lead on writing Tibet Watch’s reports, synthesising research produced from the field team into thematic reports and briefings for governments and UN bodies. In collaboration with Tibet Watch colleagues, seek out and analyse online, open source materials, such as local news sources and government reports.
Advocacy Attend meetings, e.g. with government representatives, on behalf of Tibet Watch. Work with Free Tibet staff to develop a communications plans for all reports that are launched. Represent Tibet Watch in engagement with other Tibet Support Groups or advocacy coalitions. JOB INFORMATION PACK Senior Researcher
General
Participate in weekly team meetings to discuss workload and priorities. Contribute to writing grant applications. Work with the fundraising team to ensure grant reporting and monitoring satisfies funder needs. Occasionally review or contribute to external materials such as supporter emails, news stories, press releases and social media posts.
Person Specification
Essential Knowledge of the situation in Tibet, including an understanding of the social, political and human rights issues. Experience of writing reports in English. Ability to oversee and direct research. Experience of locating and analysing written evidence relating to human rights violations, such as open source information and local media sources. Willingness to engage in developing and adhering to IT, communication, information dissemination and other security protocols. Ability to travel abroad occasionally.
Desirable While fluency in writing in English is most important, the ability to read and speak Tibetan and/or Mandarin Chinese, ideally including experience of translation, would be highly desirable. Understanding of political, social and human rights developments in China. Experience of working with colleagues in different locations, including field offices. Experience of speaking persuasively about human rights issues in English and ideally Tibetan. Some familiarity with international and/or Chinese human rights standards/discourse. Experience of monitoring and reporting on grants.
Application Process
You can return your completed application form by email to [email protected].
The deadline for applications is 10:00 a.m. on Monday November 16th.
Interviews will take place on Monday November 23rd.