Job Description

BIHR’s Human Rights Officers are an integral part of the team, enabling change through human rights by working with People, Communities, and Systems, taking what we learn from this to influence Policy.

A passion for human rights in the UK is a must. A commitment to ensuring the best possible practical use of domestic standards outside the courts is essential. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with solid knowledge of the Human Rights Act. This not an entry level role, and requires a level of experience of working directly with people using public series, community and advocacy groups, or public authorities.

BIHR is based at QMUL School of Law in East London. In exchange for our offices we teach a module on human rights, providing undergraduates with a course that focuses on the practical work of a human rights organisation. Our HROs assist with the development and deliver of this innovative clinical model. The role is home-based initially, due to Coronavirus. When a return to the office commences the ability to travel to the office for a min. of 4 days monthly within the core hours of 10am-4pm, will be required. Whilst much of our delivery is currently digital, when face to face work returns, the HRO role includes significant and regular travel across the UK. This includes overnight stays / early starts / late finishes (TOIL policy applies). A willingness and ability to travel regularly for work is a key requirement for this role

Main tasks and Responsibilities

All staff members are required to deliver their work in accordance with BIHR’s core mission, always acting in the best interest of the charity. A genuine commitment to supporting change through human rights across the UK is required at all times.

A Human Rights Officer’s main responsibilities will be to develop, deliver, review and improve information resources and one-off training sessions, all on the practical use of UK human rights law (non-litigation). These training sessions will be for people with care and support needs, their community and advocacy groups, and public services and authorities

• Develop current human rights information resources, including guides, handbooks, factsheets. Identifying and creating new resources, once agreed with PPM.
• Develop our online advocacy tools that sit under Your Human Rights. Identifying and creating new online tools, once agreed with PPM.
• Deliver a range of one-off training sessions through BIHR’s open calander. Identifying and creating new trainings, once agreed with PPM.
• Deliver a range of one-off training sessions for client teams
• Provide short talks for a range of audiences. Identifying potential new clients and working with the PPM to develop these relationships.
• Reflect on the evaluation learnings of the above and incorporating this into future activities.
• Update BIHR’s website on the above activities, ensuring engaging and impactful content.
• To complete the above tasks using remote/digital means and via face-to-face work, with a clear understanding of accessibility and the needs of audiences

Develop, deliver, review and improve programmes on change through human rights. This is to be done alongside people with care and support needs, their community and advocacy groups and public services and authorities (including frontline staff, mangers and leaders, local and national commissioners and regulators)

• Develop, deliver and evaluate a range of projects with the above audiences, and a clear understanding of the needs of these different groups (rights-holders and duty-bearers)
• Use of a range of different learning and engagements approaches, including training, peer learning, network development, case and practice reviews, policy reviews and developments, and think creatively about the best means of supporting human rights capacity development.
• Establish clear project plans to guide deliverables and set expectations with partners, ensuring timely and effective interventions delivered within budget.
• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluations, with an emphasis on participative qualitative learning which can be shared internally and externally, including ensuring relevant information is collected and available for funder reporting.
• Update BIHR’s website on the above activities, ensuring engaging and impactful content.
• To complete the above tasks using remote/digital means and via face-to-face work, with a clear understanding of accessibility and the needs of audiences

Develop, deliver, review and improve policy work which enables people, community groups and public services/authority staff be heard in national debates about human rights law and policy

• Keep up to date with policy and legal reviews and opportunities in Westminster and the devolved nations, identifying key interventions for BIHR to share evidence on the practical value of a human rights approach to other laws and policy.
• Keep up to date with policy and legal review and opportunities in Westminster and the devolved nations, identifying key interventions for BIHR to share evidence on the value of domestic human rights law for people in their everyday lives.
• Lead policy interventions on the above by developing BIHR and joint/shared evidence submissions, policy papers, briefings, etc.
• Develop BIHR’s online communities of practice (3: people, community groups, public service/authority staff) supporting people to share their experiences to feed into policy interventions  
• Keep up to date with European and International mechanisms offering BIHR the opportunity to share evidence and commentary on human rights in the UK for the benefit of those we support. Agreeing any interventions with the PPM and actioning.

Research, analyse and produce commentary on a range of human rights issues impacting people’s everyday lives in the UK

• Use BIHR’s monitoring and evaluation data, and input from communities of practice, to research key human rights issues in the UK and develop public commentary
• Identify and respond to relevant external research and commentary on human rights issues relevant to BIHR’s work
• Provide commentary via a range of means including blogs and news pieces (for BIHR and for other groups and media), research papers, social media, etc.
• Keep up to date on key changes to law, policy and practice on UK human rights legislation, e.g. case law developments, new laws, etc.

Represent BIHR professionally and proactively including managing existing relationships and developing new ones, and participating in networks, forums and working groups

• Maintain and develop BIHR’s current relationships in the voluntary and public sectors, both on an individual basis and via network and forum memberships.
• Use initiative to identify and forge relationships with new partners and forums.
• Primary contact for your designated programme and policy work and relationship management and development.
• Ensuring good working relationships with a range of key contacts including policy and programmes partners and technical suppliers such as designers.

Additional supporting areas of work

• Work with the staff team to identify and secure income generating or fundraising opportunities to support BIHR’s growth and development.
• Supporting senior staff to ensure effective funder reporting.
• Teaching on our clinical module at QMUL Law School, sharing practical insights into BIHR’s work, convened by BIHR’s Director and PPM.
• Supporting colleagues with research and communications, including on social media and website development.
• Actively participating in internal meetings, review and development processes

Any other relevant duties as required by the Director or the PPM

Person specification

ESSENTIAL

Personal qualities

• Passionate commitment to BIHR’s mission and values and to working in the charity sector
• Strong team player with ability to get stuck in within a small organisation
• Efficient, reliable, flexible and collaborative working style and the ability to demonstrate initiative
• Self-motivating with ability to work effectively from home as part of a virtual team and in an office environment
• The ability, and appreciation of the need for, travel across the UK to deliver this role

Human rights knowledge and experience

• At least two years of experience of working on human rights, with specific experience of the Human Rights Act.
• A Masters level understanding of the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights, developed either through academic study or equivalent work-related experience.
• At least one year’s work experience of working in the charity sector or the public sector in a similar role.
• At least one year’s work experience developing an understanding of human rights standards in the delivery of health and social care, particularly mental health and/or mental capacity law.
• Demonstrable practical experience of human rights in relation to another area of people’s interactions with public services (e.g. housing, children, education, immigration, policing, welfare, etc.).

Learning and development skills and experience

• At least one years’ experience of development and delivery of rights-based training for adults, preferably including UK human rights.
• At least one years’ experience of developing and delivering programmes to build the capacity of people to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to bring about social change. (By capacity building we mean more than training). This can be with people directly, with community, advocacy or voluntary sector groups, or with staff in public services/ authorities, or a combination of these.
• Experience of creative approaches to technical or legal training.
• Experience of the development of practical information resources for people to support them to make change in their lives.
• Experience of development and implementation of monitoring and evaluating work and learning from this for future practice.

Policy, research and communications skills and experience

• At least one years’ experience of policy work, demonstrating a practical understanding of political and parliamentary processes.
• Experience of developing and drafting policy submissions (e.g. work related to government consultations, parliamentary and other inquiries, or other international processes).
• Work related experience of conducting research either desk-based/legal research and/or participative research directly with stakeholder.
• Ability to understand and communicate the practical significance of complex legal issues (preferably human rights) for non-legal audiences, using plain and engaging language.
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills, including the ability to communicate appropriately with a range of audiences.
• Excellent networking and relationship management skills, developed through demonstrable experience.

Computer and digital skills

• Technologically confident, working from a remote access cloud-based system
• High level skills in Microsoft Office particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Demonstrable ability to learn new packages, including BIHR’s website and social media platforms and programmes

Organisational skills

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy, including meticulous proof-reading and editorial support to colleagues
• Excellent administration and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks simultaneously to a high standard
• Ability to work under pressure to deadlines, including remotely and adapt to a fast-moving environment

DESIRABLE

• Experience of using video conferencing or similar tools to delivery online sessions or a clear demonstrable ability to do so
• Experience of co-production approaches to working
• Experience of developing easy read material
• Knowledge of UN mechanisms relevant to the UK
• Experience of social media for professional purposes
• Experience of working with children or young people to deliver education and training
• Experience of delivering university level education

To apply for the post

Please use the application form provided. CVs or cover letters will not be considered. Please read the application form carefully and complete it in accordance with the instructions, particularly the personal statement section, which should address every part of the above person specification. Incomplete application forms will not be considered. No agencies please. Completed applications must be received by 10am Monday 10 August 2020. Late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be online via Zoom are likely to take place on Friday 21 August 2020 you should be available for and online interview on this date. If you have not heard back by that date, please note you have not been shortlisted on this occasion. We are unable to provide feedback to non-shortlisted applicants.

We operate a rigorous interview process, which will consist of:

• A prepared verbal communication task for you to present at the interview (max 10 mins)
• A timed written task which you will be asked to complete within a time period prior to the interview, which you can chose (max 2-hour task)
• An online interview with a panel with unseen questions, using Zoom (max. 90 mins)