Eurasia Officer (Russian-speaking)

The Eurasia Officer sits within the Assistance team of the Rory Peck Trust. The key priority of the Eurasia Officer is to research and verify cases and distribute assistance grants to beneficiaries in the Eurasia region, in line with the Trust’s criteria, protocols and guidelines and to maintain the Trust’s relationship with partners in the region. The successful candidate will be joining a small, multi-national team where individuality, creativity and effort are appreciated. Travel, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, may be required in this role. The Eurasia Officer reports to the Assistance Manager and is responsible to the Director of The Rory Peck Trust.

Job Description:

The Eurasia Officer will be expected to follow Trust procedures and protocol and assume responsibility in the following areas:

• Case Management
  • Responsibility for researching and verifying cases from the Eurasia region and administering grants as appropriate, in line with RPT protocols; Liaising with grant applicants, their families, referees, partner organisations and other relevant contacts in the preparation and verification of case reports; making every effort to ensure at all times that beneficiaries’ safety, and that of their families, is not compromised;
  • Identification of beneficiary needs and most effective support; preparation of case reports, with overall recommendations in order to inform decision-making by RPT management regarding the form of support to be provided;
  • In cases when financial support is required, assess the size of the grant, in relation to need and locality; identify the most efficient ways of distributing grants and prepare instructions for the bank and transfer agreements;
  • Process applications, ensuring all required documentation is received and that case information is kept up to date and maintaining meticulous records;
  • Coordination of non-financial support for cases and referrals to partner organisations for additional assistance and specialist help, as appropriate;
  • Maintain contact with freelance journalists and/or their families who have received grants to ensure appropriate follow up support as needed;
  • Provide reporting on how grants have been utilised, in line with RPT’s monitoring and evaluation protocols.
• Regional Research and Outreach
  • Monitor political situation and alerts concerning journalists in the Eurasia region and proactively research and advise colleagues on freelance-specific emerging regional and country specific priorities, patterns, trends and challenges across the region;
  • Act as the key focal point in RPT, for all issues and queries related to the Eurasia region;
  • In collaboration with the RPT Communications Team, support the development of external facing materials, including articles, blogs and website content relating to freelance journalists in Eurasia;
  • Maintain, and nurture relationships with the Trust’s existing contacts, networks and partners, including with media organisations, academia, non-government organisations, etc. in close collaboration with RPT’s Assistance Manager;
  • Assist and support the delivery of Safety Clinics in the Eurasia region, in coordination with the Training Manager;
  • Identify potential new relationships with new relevant contacts/ partner organisations, notably in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus;
  • Where relevant, represent the Trust at meetings, forums, roundtables and conferences.

Person Specification:

This position requires someone with commitment, curiosity and energy. He/ she should be reliable, a team player, capable of working on their own initiative within a small team, and with the ability to take responsibility. An open communicator, passionate about freedom of expression and media development.

Essential:

• Education to graduate level
• A commitment to press freedom and an interest in international news and current affairs
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken
• Fluency in Russian, both written and spoken
• High level of literacy and numeracy
• Research experience: ability to analyse and interpret complex information
• Writing skills with a demonstrable track record of research and reporting
• Ability to communicate in a clear way with people at different levels, and at a distance
• Computer and web literacy; able to work in G-Suite, Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel and make effective use of social media as a work tool
• Firm understanding of and respect for requirements of confidentiality
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Experience of working independently and managing your own workload is essential.

Desirable:

• Background in journalism
• Experience of working in an NGO or other non-profit organisation
• A creative and positive approach to problem-solving
• Experience of providing support to victims of abuse or trauma
• Experience of case work and processing applications for assistance
• Knowledge of Slack and Submittable
• Knowledge of other languages like Ukrainian, Turkish or Persian.

Contract benefits:

• Annual salary of £25,000
• Tax-free allowance to contribute to WFH costs (£312 annually)
• 12 month contract with the possibility to renew subject to funding
• 20 days annual leave in addition to the 8 UK bank holidays and the annual two-week office closure over Christmas and New Year
• A CPD budget assigned to this role for training and development
• Hybrid working with access to WeWork membership if desired
• Flexible and part-time working considered.

Applicants must be based in the UK as regular team meetings are held in central London. Please note that this position is open only to candidates with an existing right to work in the UK.

Deadline for applications: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

See here to learn more and apply.