Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, India: Volunteership Opportunities
Location: All locations acceptable
Type: Remote
Duration: 6 months
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), India is an independent, non-partisan, human rights non-governmental organisation working for the practical realisation of human rights. Access to Information and Access to Justice are two focus areas of CHRI’s work. For more information, please visit: www.humanrightsinitiative.org
CHRI’s Prison Reforms Programme is presently seeking 3 long-term volunteers for supporting its work on prisoners’ rights and prison reforms, in particular in the area of securing rights for vulnerable prisoners, strengthening prison monitoring, reducing pre-trial detention and ensuring access to legal aid for persons in custody. The CHRI Prison Reforms Programme has worked in India since 1997. CHRI’s work is focused on increasing transparency of a traditionally closed system. A major area of work is identifying gaps and failures of the legal system that result in terrible overcrowding and unconscionably long pre-trial detention and prison overstays, and engaging in interventions to address these. We believe that attention to these areas will bring improvements to the administration of prisons as well as have a knock-on effect on the administration of justice overall.
CHRI welcomes committed, capable volunteers to join our team, preferably for a period of 6 months. Volunteering with the prisons team will help gain valuable experience in the field of human rights and criminal justice, and develop a range of professional skills including teamwork, problem-solving, research and critical thinking. It will also enhance one’s understanding of human rights issues and challenges faced by incarcerated individuals.
This role requires an energetic, dedicated, flexible and detail-oriented person who can assist the project team in executing multiple tasks. This will be a great learning opportunity for someone looking to work in the long run on issues of access to justice for the vulnerable, prison reforms and prisoners’ rights.
Strong academic qualifications in law, social sciences, or any other related field; Candidates must possess exceptional and excellent research, writing and editing skills, as well as outstanding oral communication abilities in English. Working knowledge of additional languages will be an added advantage. Knowledge or work around human rights, prisons or justice sector reform is preferred. Sound knowledge of criminal law and procedure will be an added advantage. Excellent word processing, database management, email and internet skills are essential.
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, energetic, and able to work independently toward given deadlines. They should be willing to devote atleast 12-14 hours every week.
The position is voluntary and carries no remuneration or allowances.
Please send applications to vinu@humanrightsinitiative.org latest by 10 February 2024, marking a copy to madhurima@humanrightsinitiative.org.
Please use this subject line: Long-term Volunteer, Prison Reforms
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Eligible candidates belonging to the marginalised and vulnerable sections of society are encouraged to apply.