SD is seeking a Researcher & Project Coordinator (Taiwan)

WE ARE CLOSING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION TODAY (16 NOVEMBER 2022). WE HAVE HAD A GREAT SELECTION OF QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO APPLIED. WE WILL BE RECRUITING AGAIN IN THE FUTURE SO PLEASE COME BACK TO VISIT OUR SITE.

China-focused human rights organization Safeguard Defenders is seeking a fluent Mandarin speaker with strong English and research skills to fill the position of Researcher and Project Coordinator. The role is to start as soon as possible. The ideal candidate would also have a passion for human rights and rule of law and a good knowledge of China’s human rights situation and its political landscape.

This job is based in Taiwan and open only to those with the right to work in Taiwan.

You will be part of a small team distributed across Asia and Europe and work alongside the Research Director based in Taipei.

Your main duties will include researching human rights issues, judicial, governmental and political data from Chinese websites, translating between English and Chinese, managing communications in Chinese with project partners, assisting with Chinese language media work, and some small projects coordination.

The position is full-time. Work hours are flexible; it may be necessary to occasionally work weekends, holidays and out-of-work hours to adjust with time zones of other colleagues and for urgent tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducting online research. Typical research areas could include using China’s Supreme Court Database to find conviction rates, digging through local police notices, scouring the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection website for data, or analysing annual reports from Chinese government bodies.
• Conducting interviews with human rights defenders, academics and others.
• Co-producing reports on human rights issues from the research stage, to planning, writing, translating, publishing, media work and advocacy & campaign planning. For the kinds of reports you will be working on, please see examples from this website.
• Translating and editing reports, documents and other materials between English and simplified and traditional Chinese (both directions).
• Handling mainly Chinese-language media communications including taking interviews, writing press releases, social media posts, and outreach.
• Supporting local partners with project management, including bookkeeping, financial management, and reporting to donors.

What we are looking for

There are no set academic requirements for this position. We will consider anyone that can show they meet the demands of this role as laid out below:

Essential

• Fluent Chinese and excellent English. Extra points if you have experience in translation.
• Great research skills and attention to detail. Extra points if you have a track record of researching Chinese law, politics and/or and human rights issues.
• Independent worker with plenty of initiative. You will have considerable scope to suggest new projects and pursue research topics in addition to your regular tasks.
• Ability to adapt to a flexible working schedule and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficient writing and editing skills and the ability to present information logically and engagingly.

Desirable

• Experience working with domestic or international media     
• Proficiency in IT security
• Experience in project management or administrative management
• Social media skills
• Advocacy and campaign experience

NOTE: Applicants should be aware that taking this position will likely mean you will no longer be able to travel (safely or at all) to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Salary and benefits

Competitive salary and benefits, including 22 days annual leave and Taiwan national holidays. Your contract will be with Safeguard Defenders’ Taiwan Representative Office.

How to apply

Please send a concise cover letter in English explaining why you are the best fit for the job and why you want to work with us to info@safeguarddefenders.com with the subject line set as “Taiwan application”.

When to apply

Now.

This job ad was first published on 24 October 2022. We encourage applicants to apply before 18 November, after which we will send out our first round of invites for interviews to successful candidates. We aim to make a decision on hiring by the beginning of December 2022.

Good luck!

About Safeguard Defenders

Madrid-based Safeguard Defenders focuses on protecting basic rights, promoting of the rule of law and supporting local civil society and human rights defenders in some of the most hostile environments in Asia.