R2K seeking volunteer for Arms Deal Information Service
Do you care about accountability, corruption and secrecy? R2K is urgently seeking to appoint a short-term volunteer in our Secrecy programme, to produce a series of online articles and related content on the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the Arms Deal.
BACKGROUND
We view the Seriti Commission as a vital opportunity to uncover the truth of the 1999 Arms Deal[s], which saw South Africa spending tens of billions in controversial tenders with international arms companies, under a shroud of secrecy and many allegations of corruption.
But there is growing concern that civil society is not subjecting the Commission to public scrutiny, allowing the Commission to play into the hands of those who would rather the full truth does not come out. The Commission has also come under criticism for withholding large numbers of documents from the public, refusing to engage with key evidence of corruption, and marginalising independent and critical voices.
Over the next three weeks R2K intends to produce a series of articles (600-1000 words) highlighting developments in the Seriti Commission.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
• Strong writer: must be able to summarise and explain complicated issues using plain language, and work to a tight deadline
• Basic familiarity with Arms Deal issues: No special expertise necessary, but familiarity with some of the who’s and what’s of the Arms Deal will be helpful
• Comfortable using WordPress: ability to upload content to R2K’s website using WordPress would be helpful, but not vital
• Five to eight hours per week, for the month of July
If you are interested in building advocacy experience or helping a national campaign to provide public oversight to the Commission, please send a CV with examples of writing to murray@r2k.org.za by Friday 4 July.
