India: Program Officer

Nazdeek is a legal empowerment organization committed to bringing access to justice closer to marginalized communities in South Asia. Our model fuses grassroots legal education, community monitoring of service delivery, use of judicial and non-judicial remedies, and strategic research and advocacy to advance social and economic rights. Nazdeek is a small, women-led organization based in Delhi with a range of connections and partnerships within and outside of India.

We are seeking a Program Officer to join our team in Delhi, India.

Nazdeek is at an exciting time of its growth, as we have expanded our work to other parts of South Asia. As we expand our programs, we are seeking an adaptable and dynamic individual to join our team in Delhi to drive programmatic work. The Officer will primarily be responsible for conducting grassroots trainings, completing fact-findings into human rights violations, filing of grievances to administrative and judicial forums, and overseeing and meeting all programmatic needs. Please note that candidates must hold a valid work permit/visa for India. Nazdeek is unable to support candidates in obtaining work or volunteer visas.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Program Management:

• Organize and conduct workshops for community members and activists on socioeconomic rights (primarily on labor rights, and the rights to health, housing, food, and sanitation) and available mechanisms for redressing violations (RTIs, administrative grievance mechanisms, etc.)
• Work with community members to monitor rights violations taking place in their communities
• Supervise and conduct fact-findings in the field to document rights violations
• Conduct desk-based research on relevant policies promoting socioeconomic
  rights, such as health, food, housing, water and sanitation, and gender equality
• Write fact-finding reports, administrative complaints, and legal briefs on rights violations
• File complaints through existing administrative grievance mechanisms, submit Right to Information (RTI) applications, and make representations to authorities
• Conduct advocacy with government officials to ensure access to essential services for community members
• Plan and implement advocacy and legal strategies to address rights violations
• Build and maintain relations with community members, activists, lawyers, and government officials
• Produce training modules and resource materials

Administration:

• Document field visits, testimonials, grievance information, etc.
• Manage logistics for trainings, events, and other projects
• Complete funder reports
• Manage programmatic budgets and accounts
• General administrative tasks, as needed

Qualifications and Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience; 3 of those years working on issues of law or human rights, or at a relevant NGO
• Masters, LLB, or JD (preference for those with focus in social/political sciences or law)
• Previous fieldwork experience in urban or rural areas is highly desirable
• Experience with data collection, research, analysis, and writing of findings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure, work independently, and organize workload to meet multiple deadlines
• Ability to lead a team and implement organizational vision
• Strong understanding of caste, class, and gender dynamics
• A commitment to human rights and social justice is essential
• Fluent in English and at least one South Asian language (preferably Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Tamil, or Assamese)
• Must hold a valid work permit/visa for India (this is non-negotiable)

Duration: 1 year contract, with 3 month probation period, and with possibility of extension
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Jangpura, New Delhi, India

Compensation and Benefits: This position offers a modest salary, competitive with local wages, but will provide unique opportunities, including travel, publication of writing, expansion of national and international networks, and cutting-edge experience in the growing field of legal empowerment.

How to Apply: Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and a short writing sample to info@nazdeek.org. Please mention “Program Officer Application” in the subject line of your email.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding next steps.

Nazdeek is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, caste, nationality, age, religious belief or non-belief, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, domestic circumstances, HIV status, disability, or any other protected category.