Research Assistant – South Asia

Details

• Location: Any country (with strong preference for South Asia: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal)
• Fee: GBP 10,000-11,000 per year (depending on experience)
• Contract Type: Consultancy (see the section on terms and conditions) for 17.5 hours per week
• Contract period: Starting 1 March 2023 for one year (with opportunity for renewal)
• Closing Date: 15/02/2023
• Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview to be held the week of February 20
• To Apply: Complete and return this application form via our jobs portal. Kindly note that the application form is required; we will not accept CVs. If you need any additional support, please reach out to Giulia Vinzi at vinzi@business-humanrights.org

About us

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is a high-impact, global organization. We work closely with allies and partners to advance respect for human rights in business and hold companies accountable for abuse. We do this by empowering human rights advocates in civil society, business, and governments to support bold leadership for human rights in business and strengthened corporate accountability, due diligence, and effective remedy for abuse. We also build transparency of advances, challenges, and abuse of human rights in business. We generate and share information that is relevant, reliable, and up to date, and we work with advocates around the world to use this information to drive positive change that puts human rights at the heart of business.

About the position:

The Research Assistant will work with the Asia team to update information on our website related to business and human rights in the subregion. The position will help to build a stronger, more informed movement of civil society organizations and affected communities working together to ensure greater awareness of business and human rights and corporate accountability.

Responsibilities:

• Research and publicise via the Resource Centre’s website, information from a wide range of sources about the human rights impacts of companies operating in South Asia

• Synthesise and present research and data for external communications e.g. reports, website and social media

• Work with communities affected by companies’ operations in South Asia on emblematic cases of abuse with potential for impact through engagement with companies and investors

• Engage with companies and investors allegedly linked to human rights abuses by seeking public responses and working with civil society to put pressure on international buyers and investors

• Bring attention to under-the-radar cases of attacks on human rights defenders and civic freedoms through awareness raising, including producing infographics on attacks, and arranging/conducting interviews with human rights defenders

• Other related duties such as supporting the wider Asia team depending on project needs.

Key competencies and attributes:

Values: Strong, demonstrated commitment to human rights. Shares values and ethos of the Resource Centre.

Subject matter expertise: Knowledge and understanding of the business and human rights field in general, including standards and developments, and of the relevant South Asia context in particular.

Research and analytical skills: Able to search and identify relevant information online and offline; persistent in seeking out difficult-to-find information; creative in identifying new sources of information.

Communications: Strong writing skills, including succinct writing for the web.

Representation skills: Able to foster productive, professional relationships with a broad range of contacts.

Solidarity building: Able to foster productive relationships for the purpose of contributing to the incredible work of various groups working on the impact of business on human rights.

Self-initiative and motivation: Able to take initiative and drive work forward independently within the agreed frameworks; motivated by achieving results.

Teamwork: Has experience and is able to operate effectively and constructively as part of a multicultural and diverse Global Team and ensure communication despite geographical distances between team members.

Organisation and prioritisation: Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, enabling efficient and effective work.

Languages: Fluency in English required; fluency in Hindi or other regional languages preferred

Terms and conditions:

This is a part-time remote consultancy position. Payment will be made on the Research Assistant’s presentation of invoices. The Research Assistant will be responsible for paying from the fees his/her own taxes, health insurance, pension, and the like and those costs are taken into account in calculating the fees. The Resource Centre will reimburse necessary work-related expenses such as for travel.

Hours: The Research Assistant will be expected to work 17.5 hours per week. The Research Assistant will not be expected to work on national holidays in the country where she/he is based.

Reports to: Asia Regional Manager & South Asia Researcher and Representative, based in Hydreabad, India.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is a diverse, global team. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background and we acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in progressive movements. We particularly encourage applications from women, Black, Asian, Latinx and other minorities, people with disabilities, and people who identify as LGBTQ+.

To Apply: Complete and return this application form via our jobs portal. Kindly note that the application form is required; we will not accept CVs. If you need any additional support, please reach out to Giulia Vinzi at vinzi@business-humanrights.org