Amnesty International (AI) is a global movement of seven million supporters, members, and activists who campaign for internationally recognized human rights to be respected, protected, and fulfilled. Its vision is for every person to enjoy all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Amnesty International’s iconic logo has been recognized world-wide for freeing prisoners of conscience, working against torture and the death penalty, speaking out for civilians in armed conflict, bringing human rights abusers to justice, influencing legislation and policy, protecting human rights defenders, strengthening the international human rights framework, and many other human rights concerns.
Operating as a democratic movement from its offices in 70 countries, including the US, Amnesty International is funded mainly by its membership and public donations. No funds are sought or accepted from government for its research or campaigning. AI is independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest, or religion.
Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is based in New York and is the largest section of the parent organization with nearly 200,000 members, including over 1,000 student and local groups. It raised $38M in 2015 and employs about 100 staff concentrated primarily in New York and Washington, DC with other staff around the country, including an in-house canvass currently based in five US cities.
This volunteer position will facilitate regional Human Rights Observer trainings with the goal of recruiting 8-10 Human Rights Observers in the volunteer’s respective region. Also responsible for developing and coordinating a regionally focused community of trained Human Rights Observers, who can be deployed at the onset of a crisis.
Responsibilities
- Participate in a 4-5 day training provided by Amnesty International USA and the OSCE in order to become a Human Rights Observer trainer during the summer of 2017.
- Coordinate with staff to plan and deliver local Human Rights Observer trainings with AIUSA member leaders by Fall 2017.
- Create and manage a regional deployment schedule of Human Rights Observers.
- Monitor potential protest situations, and participate in decision making to deploy a team of independent human rights observers.
- Serve as the head of delegation (approximately 2-3 times a year) of an independent team of human rights observers, in accordance with AIUSA procedures.
- Work with local Human Rights Observers to collect post-deployment assessments, de-briefing notes and reports.
- Able to dedicate 10-15 hours a month to prepare and organize a Human Rights Observer training with support of AIUSA staff.
Education and Experience:
- Extensive background and experience around workshop facilitation and skills based training.
- Life and professional experience around human rights work will also be strongly considered.
- Experience with working in a diverse, multi-racial environment.
- Willingness to learning how to apply international human rights standards in a U.S. context.
- Familiarity with international standards pertaining to human rights compliant Policing of assemblies.
- Understanding of freedom-of-assembly related challenges in the US.
- Ability to travel regionally or nationally, if required.
- Well organized with an ability to improvise and adapt in stressful situations.
- Awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion practices and compliance.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English. Bi-lingual or multi-lingual a plus.
- Flexibility and demonstrated ability to work under minimum supervision, under pressure and tight deadlines.
- Computer literacy along with a willingness to learn how to use field communication tools like Signal.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Flexibility on adapting to assigned environment when deployed as a Human Rights Observer.
Skills:
- Accomplished facilitation and training skills with an ability to adapt to the needs of diverse audiences.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work proactively and independently.
- Must be proactive and a team player.
- Diplomatic skills to obtain trust, cooperation, and understanding in order to resolve routine problems.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Relevant campaigning and coalition building experience preferred.
- Ability to coordinate and work with volunteers and staff.