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 e-mail your completed application form to d confirm that you fully accept CSW’s Christian ethos and faith.

Full applications should be received by CSW via e-mail by 12.00 noon on Friday 26thFebruary 2010

Step 2

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview week beginning 1 March 2010.

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

If you have any further questions about the internship, please contact me via or by phoning 020 8239 9383#

Peter Flower

HR Consultant for CSW

  1. About the Internship

Christian Solidarity Worldwide is delighted to be able to offer an internship position running for 5 months from April to August 2010 with the option to extend to December 2010.

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 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, sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Eurasia, Latin America.

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 is a human rights NGO which specialises in freedom of religion[1].

We are a voice for justice, pursuing religious freedom for all.We exist to redress injustice and stand in solidarity with those facing discrimination and/or persecution due to their religion.

Within this remit, we prioritise serving those persecuted for their Christian faith whilst upholding the right to freedom of religion for all peoples. 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 conduct 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 and Brussels 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 Tina LambertAlexa Papadouris, CSW’s Advocacy Directors, and comprises a team of 13 staff with responsibility for our research and advocacy work in the following regions: East Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and Eurasia. The Public Affairs unit, which forms part of the department, is responsible for coordinating CSW’s media communication, UK 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.

The Nicene Creed was originally written in 4th century A.D. It is the most widely accepted creed in Christianity and continues to be used in the Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Orthodox and most other ProtestantChurches. For Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the Nicene Creed unites us in our service of Christ.

I believe in one God,

The Father, the almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth,

Of all that is,

Seen and unseen.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

The only Son of God,

Eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

True God from true God,

Begotten, not made,

Of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

He came down from heaven;

By the power of the Holy Spirit

He became incarnate of the Virgin Mary,

And was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

He suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

In accordance with the Scriptures;

He ascended into heaven

And is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

To judge the living and the dead,

And his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The Lord, the giver of life,

Who proceeds from the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look for the resurrection of the dead,

And the life of the world to come.

  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 co-ordination 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 write one edition of the Advocacy Dept Quarterly 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 location.
  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)
  • 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).
  • Knowledge of the Charity and NGO sector an advantage (D)
  • Foreign language skills 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 persuasive skills, both oral and written, and/or lobbying experience (D)
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and grasp new information and detail (E)

Organisational/Team

  • Proven ability to think strategically and to prepare and implement strategy (D)
  • 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)
  1. Main Terms

1. Hours of Work

3 days per week [21 hours] 9-5pm

2. Salary

£6,552 per annum

3. Annual Holiday

25 days per year, excluding public holidays, pro rata during your period of employment.

5. Notice

4 weeks written notice on either side.

6. Duration

April-August 2010 with option to extend to December 2010

[1]Note: As a corporate body we are transparent about our Christian heritage, core beliefs and values, however, as an organisation we do not proselytise, nor engage in evangelism or religious conversions.