CSW Internship Scheme

Thank you for your interest in a CSW internship.

Below, you will find details of the appointment process, our organisation and our Christian beliefs, followed by a description of duties, a person specification and the main terms of the internship.

Please read this information carefully. An application form is also attached.

1.Selection process

Step 1

Please email your completed application form to and confirm that you fully accept CSW’s Christian ethos and faith.

Full applications should be received by CSW via email by 12 noon on Thursday 14 June 2012.

Step 2

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview week beginning 18June 2012.

The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory references being received.

If you have any further questions about the internship, please contact Jane Bave via or by phoning 020 8329 0031.

Jane Bave

HR Officer

  1. About the internship

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is delighted to be able to offer an internship position running for tenmonths from 1 October 2012to 19 July 2013.

The scheme is designed to provide the intern with research and advocacy experience working within a human rights context, specificially promoting freedom of religion.

Interns will be assigned to support the work of CSW’s Advocacy Department by either:

a)providing research and administrative support for human rights and freedom of religion concerns in one or more of the following regions of work: East Asia, South Asia, Africa/Middle East and Latin America.

or

b)working in our public affairs unit dealing with the worldwide press, and lobbying governmental, intra governmental (e.g. United Nations) and regional bodies (e.g. EU, African Union).

Most of the intern’s work will revolve around research for specific projects, becoming involved in advocacy for certain cases and assisting with campaigns. As with all posts at CSW, interns are expected to carry out some administrative duties.

The succesful intern will need to reside within easy access of our Motspur Park offices. Unfortunately CSW is unable to assist in finding suitable accommodation.

  1. Who we are

Christian Solidarity Worldwide [CSW] is an organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Core purpose

To be a voice for justice, pursuing religious freedom for all.

Our remit

We exist to redress injustice and stand in solidarity and partnership with those facing discrimination and/or persecution due to their religion.

Recognising the universality of human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), we also address wider human rights violations, prioritising those which complement our work for freedom of religion and/or where we can make a unique contribution.

Our primary work is advocacy – speaking up for those who are either unable to speak up for themselves or who request further international representation. We work through high-level political lobbying in the UK, EU, US and beyond to ensure that issues of concern are addressed by key decision makers. We urge governments and other international bodies such as the United Nations and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to take specific action to address violations of religious freedom and other human rights.

Working with local partners, our highly skilled team of advocates conducts detailed research, including regular on-the-ground fact-finding visits, ensuring our information is both authentic and credible. We regularly invite politicians from across the political spectrum to join us on these visits in order that they may see the evidence of religious persecution and other human rights abuses firsthand, and to encourage concrete political activity. We regularly host delegations from other countries in the UK, Brussels and Washington to meet officials and parliamentarians in order that they may raise their concerns first-hand.

We work to promote the plight of the persecuted to the wider public through print and broadcast media and high profile events. Our staff and visiting delegations have featured in national and international media, including the Telegraph, The Times, The Independent, BBC News 24, Newsnight, Today Programme, BBC World Service, Sky News and CNN.

  1. Christian Solidarity Worldwide

The organisation began in 1979 following the imprisonment of the Russian Baptist Pastor Georgi Vins, who had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and five years’ internal exile for actively professing his Christian faith.

CSW is a registered charity based in England with our main office located in South West London. We have a growing office in Brussels from where we co-ordinate our lobbying of the European Union institutions. CSW has International Partners in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Norway, Denmark and France and works with local partners in over 25 countries around the world.

CSW’s Advocacy Department is led by CSW’s Advocacy Director, Andrew Johnston and comprises a team of twelvestaff with responsibility for our research and advocacy work in the following regions: East Asia, South Asia, Africa/Middle East and Latin America. The Public Affairs unit, which forms part of the department, is responsible for coordinating CSW’s media communication and UK, EU and UN lobbying.

  1. Our core beliefs

We are a Christian organisation, with staff from a wide range of church traditions. We meet together as a team regularly to pray for the persecuted, the persecutors, our work and each other.

Our basis of faith

The basic creed of Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles' Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

  1. Description of duties

Role overview

To support the work of CSW’s Advocacy Department by providing research and administrative support.

Main Tasks:

  1. To assist with the research and analysis of political and human rights (particularly freedom of religion) information pertaining to a given country, region or situation;
  2. To assist with the execution of appropriate campaigns and advocacy initiatives;
  3. To attend relevant forums for information sharing, learning and networking;
  4. To assist with the production and maintenance of up-to-date resources for key decision makers, supporters and internal CSW use;
  5. To assist with the preparation of materials for press and other media, in coordination with the Public Affairs Unit;
  6. To assist with the planning and logistics of fact-finding visits and visiting delegations;
  7. To assist in updating advocacy lists and distribution of reports;
  8. To assist in the editing of the bi-monthly Advocacy Department report;
  9. To support CSW events as arising;
  10. To participate in daily prayers for the persecuted, the persecutors, our work and each other;
  11. To undertake other specific tasks at the direction of the Advocacy Director, which, on occasion, may mean working outside normal office hours and at other locations.
  1. Person Specification

(E) Essential. (D) Desirable

Personal faith

  • Committed Christian in agreement with CSW’s ministry vision (E)
  • Committed to affirm, pray and encourage the ministry of CSW (E)

[This post falls within the definition of a Genuine Occupational Requirement of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003]

Personal Circumstances

  • Lives within easy travel of Motspur Park office or willing to move (E)
  • Permission to reside and work in the U.K (E)

Experience

  • Interest in human rights, politics or justice issues. (E)

Education, qualifications and other requirements

  • Educated to at least 2.1 degree level (E)

Knowledge

  • Advanced level use of Microsoft Word and Outlook; Excel to intermediate level (E)
  • Fluent written and spoken English (E)
  • Foreign language skills an advantage (D)
  • Knowledge of the Charity and NGO sector an advantage (D)

Skills

Research and Advocacy

  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy to ensure quality of research (E)
  • Proven excellent research skills (E)
  • Proven excellent writing skills (E)
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and grasp new information and detail (E)
  • Proven persuasive skills, both oral and written, and/or lobbying experience (D)
  • Knowledge of any foreign languages relevant to work in CSW’s countries of focus (see (D)

Organisational/Team

  • Proven ability to take initiatives (E)
  • Flexibility, calmness and ability to work under pressure (E)
  • Ability to handle emotional challenges including dealing with troubling information (E)
  • Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to play a positive role in a team (E)
  • Proven ability to think strategically and to prepare and implement strategy (D)
  1. Main Terms

1. Hours of Work

4 days per week [28 hours] 9-5pm

2. Salary

£9,013 per annum(£11,266.00 FTE)

3. Annual Holiday

20 days per year, excluding public holidays.

4. Notice

4 weeks written notice on either side.

5. Duration

1 October 2012–19 July 2013