About the Project:
The CPA Project is a litigation and research-driven advocacy intervention based in Bhopal, committed to ending the disproportionate targeting of oppressed caste communities, particularly the Denotified Tribes (DNTs), by the criminal justice system. Our vision encapsulates anti-caste and anti-carceral framings of the casteist colonial roots of policing that value incarceration over care.
Our research driven advocacy aims to resist the criminalisation of livelihoods and cultures of Denotified tribes and marginalised communities through consensus-building within social justice movements and supporting collective movement strategies.
The Research and Advocacy Associate will play a leading role in relationship-building, utilising research for strategic litigation and supporting partners’ advocacy especially Madhya Pradesh.
Eligibility:
- Law graduate
- Enrolled with the Bar Council of India
- Preferred work experience of 1-2 years
- Familiarity with Madhya Pradesh or social justice movements,
- Strong verbal and written Hindi, English communication skills
- Ability to travel for collaborations with partners
- Excellent skills in relationship-building, open communication to build alliances with diverse stakeholders
Responsibilities:
Advocacy
With support from the co-founder, implement advocacy strategies in districts in MP focusing on the criminalisation of forest rights, and based on CPA Project’s study on Wildlife Policing. Tasks include:
- Liasing and coordinating with partners for dialogues on evolving and finalising strategy
- Lead on facilitation of programme advocacy workshops, strategy discussions and design of activities at field level.
- Develop documentation to support the advocacy outputs through research and writing including but not limited to drafting and distributing thematic reports, briefing papers, advocacy toolkits, letters, press release, op-eds and other submissions
- Develop research and communication materials for advocacy including notes, audio-visual media etc for localised campaigns and action
- Support the documentation required for petitions relating to strategic litigation around laws on criminalisation including the WPA through case law research, documenting petitioner’s stories and liasing with local lawyers, collectives etc
- Work with the team on the development and dissemination of knowledge resources as needed
- Represent CPA Project in advocacy convenings alongside the team
- Ensure documentation and learning of advocacy work.
Research
Alongwith the Co-Founder and Research Head, contribute to background research that will set up a research project for next year. Tasks include:
- comprehensive literature review in relation to DNTs as Other Traditional Forest-dwellers as per the Forest Rights Act
- field visits with the team to identify and engage with potential partners for both advocacy and research outputs
- assisting in research training workshops for community based organisations on undertaking research along the lines of the Wildlife Policing study
- assisting in creating a concept note for field inquiries into the criminalisation of DNTs through wildlife prosecutions
- In conjunction with the programme team, develop research proposals and studies which can build evidence for advocacy.
Organisational
- contribute to the anti-caste culture at CPA in enabling methodologies and ethical praxis in the work environment
- Engage with other advocacy and networking related activities as well as with organisational activities from time to time.
- Contribute to making CPAa learning organisation
- Undertake mutual sharing and participation in team meetings and contribute to team building.
- Support engagement with donors through reporting on work done
- Maintain collaborations with both Research and Litigation teams to allow for cross-learning.
How to Apply?
Send a copy of the following to applications.cpaproject@gmail.com.
- CV
- A short write up detailing your understanding of the role, reasons for interest in this role and relevant experience in maximum 1000 words.
Shortlisted candidates will be called for the next steps online or in person. The selection process may have multiple rounds including but not limited to an interview, written process etc.
Stipend:
The candidate will be paid an amount within the range of INR Rs 45000-.50,000 total (including 10% TDS).