Amnesty International's South Asia Regional Office (SARO) in Colombo is recruiting a Regional Researcher on a permanent, 35 hours/week contract.
Job purpose: To lead on the development and implementation of overarching research strategies and outputs to deliver impact in relation to agreed priorities, providing research expertise, research management, political judgment and analytical, communication and representational skills.
Main responsibilities:
- Lead the development and implementation of research and campaigning strategies to deliver impact on agreed country priorities, identifying the most effective ways to address human rights concerns, and design, implement, monitor and evaluate specific projects.
- Monitor, research, investigate and analyze human rights developments to provide timely, accurate, independent and impartial assessments and expert advice on the human rights situation in the region.
- Organize and lead field research and other missions, including fact-finding and assessment of human rights concerns in crisis or reactive situations; prepare security assessments and briefings; represent Amnesty International in the field.
- Represent Amnesty International to external stakeholders including governments, inter-governmental bodies, public forums, news media, civil society organizations and other actors.
- Develop and maintain effective networks of public and confidential contacts and partners, such as human rights activists, legal professionals, UN agencies and government representatives.
- Write reports and other materials for publication and internal use, and provide expert advice on materials produced by other programmes.
Skills and experience:
- At least 7 years of proven experience undertaking research on human rights or related issues.
- Specialist knowledge and preferably first-hand experience of at least one country in the region, with in-depth understanding of key human rights concerns and the political, social, legal, economic, cultural, ethnic, racial and gender context.
- Good political judgment, thorough analysis and diplomacy to develop effective strategies for human rights impact in the sub-region.
- Ability to represent Amnesty International and communicate its concerns, positions and strategies to external and internal stakeholders.
- Proven experience writing comprehensive research materials for varied audiences, including via digital channels.
- Fluency in English and one other regional language, with the ability to draft in a variety of styles such as substantial reports, government correspondence and media materials.
Benefits include 37 days annual leave, pension scheme, employee assistance programme and life assurance.
* Application Deadline, 23.59 pm UK time on:3 November 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the Amnesty International careers portal by 23:59 UK time on 3 November 2026. See the attached job description PDF for full details of responsibilities, skills and experience.
https://careers.amnesty.org/jobs/vacancy/regional-researcher-saro-4290/4318/description/action/apply/