International Civil and Human Rights Advocate at United Sikhs

POSITION: Staff Attorney or Legal Fellow

START DATE: ASAP, preferably by April 2011

About UNITED SIKHS (www.unitedsikhs.org)
We are an international humanitarian relief, advocacy and human development volunteer-based organization with chapters in the USA, Canada, UK, France and India. We run our projects with a constant reminder to ‘Recognize the Human race as One’.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Your job will be to promote and protect civil and human rights for minority communities through a program of advocacy, negotiation, investigation, education, and public relations

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: This is specialized advocacy work in the identification, investigation and formulation of a program to deal with civil and human rights of minorities by dealing with formal and informal complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, physical/mental disability, age, sexual orientation, caste, family status and marital status in the areas of faith, housing, employment, public accommodation, and education. This work requires the exercise of independent judgment and is performed with considerable independence.

Assignments are received from the Director of International Civil and Human Rights Advocacy (ICHRA) and work is performed in consultation with the Director of ICHRA. Work is reviewed by the ICHRA Director through reports, conferences and results achieved. The ICHRA advocate may be asked to act as the ICHRA Director in the latter’s absence.

EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY):

Conduct visits and legal clinics at community centers to collate information and investigate and determine a cause of action based on formal complaints of discrimination or violations of civil and human rights;

Interviews complainants, respondents and witnesses; research principles and controlling precedents and recommend disposition of complaints; assist in conciliation and public hearing procedures and activities;

Use the techniques of education, conciliation and persuasion to achieve mutually satisfactory solutions to discrimination concerns; ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations;

Resolve civil rights complaints at the lowest level and processes complaints which mature into formal charges; conduct jurisdictional reviews and legal analysis and refers non-jurisdictional complaints to the appropriate agencies;

Prepare formal and informal reports on the extent of discrimination and violations and presents workshops, panels, seminars and lectures to various civic, educational, business and labor groups in civil and human rights issues; respond to inquiries received by ICHRA;

Work with other agencies and organizations in planning and coordinating programs designed to eliminate racial, cultural and inter-faith tension; attend monthly ICHRA meetings;

Write and submit community releases and media releases of the projects undertaken by you in a timely manner.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Working knowledge of the origin and cause of discrimination and violations of civil and human rights and the sources of current information in civil and human rights and related fields;

Good knowledge of the current trends and developments in civil and human rights law; knowledge of administrative procedural law; knowledge of negotiation and facilitation techniques; knowledge of investigative techniques;

Ability to plan, organize, present and promote outreach and education programs; ability to write detailed, analytical reports; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to perform conflict resolution in highly charged and emotional situations; ability to keep accurate and confidential records; ability to interview individuals and to evaluate information obtained; ability to collate testimony and to present cases in court; ability to use judgment in interpreting information received in determining appropriate corrective actions; ability to conduct investigative and independent research; ability to analyze, research and document complaints of discrimination and other forms of civil and human rights violations; ability to utilize basic legal terminology; ability to use computers; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community members, employees, city, state and federal officials, representatives of other agencies and the general public; ability to make decisions, recognizing established practices and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving problems; sensitivity to the attitudes, actions and reactions of protected class persons and ability to project this to the growth of community understanding and behavior; demonstrated ability to follow a management philosophy that is input oriented and values problem solving and the development of partnerships; demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a team; desire to be part of an organization that values service, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation and team work.

Work Hours:
You will work 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30 p.m., with occasional weekend work. You will not be paid for any overtime worked but you may take time off in lieu. You will work between the core hours of 9 am and 5 pm, but occasionally may be needed to work outside these hours to fulfill your duties.
UNITED SIKHS works across three major time zones across America, Europe and Asia and you may be required to work outside your normal working hours to perform any tasks in conjunctions with other UNITED SIKHS chapters.

Work Location: 
The attorney will be based out of California office in Fremont, CA. They will likely undergo training in the New York headquarters office for 2-4 weeks before settling into CA office.

Remuneration:
Salary will be based on experience + 2 weeks vacation + health benefits

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: An attorney who is bar certified in California. If bar certified in another district, attorney must take California bar when the next opportunity is presented.

UNITED SIKHS is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Please visit our website, www.unitedsikhs.org for our Equal Opportunity Statement.

Please submit your application letter and resume via email to the ICHRA Director. The ICHRA director may be contacted at (phone) 646 688 3525 or at law@unitedsikhs.org.