US Death Penalty Project Officer

Reprieve works with the most disenfranchised people in society. Our aim is simple: to consign the death penalty and abuses carried out in the name of “counter-terrorism” or “national security” to history, drawing public and political attention to these past harms with a view to preventing them from occurring again.

In our view, you can best judge a society by how it treats prisoners, criminal defendants, and the far-flung targets of an ever-changing counter-terror policy. To us, the rule of law means little if we selectively apply it to people we agree with. It is for all of us. Liberty is always eroded at the margins.

Reprieve’s staff is made up of courageous and committed human rights defenders. Founded in 1999, we provide free legal and investigative support to people facing the death penalty and those victimised by states’ abusive counter-terror policies - rendition, torture, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killing. We fight our clients’ cases in courts around the world; investigate their mistreatment; and advocate on their behalf, encouraging public and political debate of human rights issues.

Reprieve’s main office is in Aldgate, London, UK. Reprieve also supports full-time Fellows, who work as lawyers, investigators and campaigners in the countries in which we work. We work closely with a number of partner organisations in jurisdictions all over the world, who provide access to clients, expertise, knowledge and guidance on specific issues or regions. We work in cooperation with relevant government officials, individual lawyers and human rights defenders, as well as individual, corporate and foundation funders to further the cause of our shared goals.

Reprieve works in close partnership with its independent sibling organisation Reprieve US. This collaboration is mutually beneficial to both Reprieve and Reprieve US as it enables each organisation to work more effectively and take advantage of the strategic locations to increase the impact of our work.

Reprieve is an equal opportunity employer and we particularly welcome applicants from Black and minority ethnic communities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. Reprieve is committed to fighting racism and advancing racial justice, both in our work and within Reprieve.

The Project Officer will join the US Death Penalty Project at Reprieve, working on Reprieve’s innovative Stop Lethal Injection Project operating at Reprieve’s Lethal Injection Information Center. The Stop Lethal Injection Project engages in investigation and analysis, supports and advises private sector partners in the healthcare industry, and undertakes public education focused on preventing the misuse of medicines in lethal injection executions and on exposing the myth of the humane execution. The US Death Penalty Project Officer role is UK based and will work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in Reprieve US. You will share our commitment to fighting against racism and advancing racial justice, and understand our responsibility to do our work in a way that does not compound racist structures.

This is a full-time role, on a one-year fixed term contract, to cover parental leave. The annual salary is £42,193 per annum, less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance. This role is based in Reprieve’s London office. Reprieve operates a hybrid working model and we require staff to work two days per week from the London office and the rest of the week from home. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK, which will be checked prior to interview.

Your presence is important during core office hours, whether remotely or in the office. You will also be available outside of office hours in the event of an emergency, for example case developments that require urgent action. This is a role that may require travel and work outside of core office hours from time to time.

Reprieve is proud to have an open and transparent pay structure, governed by a 2:1 pay ratio between the highest-paid member of staff and the lowest-paid member of staff. We are a flexible employer and offer a range of non-financial benefits to employees. We welcome applications from a range of backgrounds.

Please review the job description and person specification for full details. To apply, please submit your completed application form at the web address provided. Please note that CVs and cover letters cannot be accepted for this role. The deadline for applications is 23:59 BST on 15 June 2025. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK currently and for the duration of the contract.