Human Rights Advisor at USAID

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISOR

The United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau of Democracy, Governance, and Humanitarian Assistance, Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (USAID/DCHA/DRG) is now accepting applications from qualified candidates for a full-time, Washington D.C.-based position of Human Rights Advisor, to provide technical advice and support to global programs, and to assist the Human Rights Team in designing and managing mechanisms.  This Foreign Service Limited (FSL) position will be based within the DCHA/DRG Center on the Human Rights Team in Washington, D.C. 

The recently-created Human Rights Team in the DRG Center provides technical leadership, training, and support to Missions and regional bureaus engaged in programs designed to respect, protect, and advocate for human rights.  The Human Rights Team will devote the majority of its human resources to supporting USAID Missions and regional bureaus with the design, implementation, and evaluation of human rights programs.  The HR team is also responsible for ensuring that cutting-edge research fosters best practices, lessons learned, and improved policies in human rights programming around the world.

This position will report to the Human Rights Team Chief.  As part of the Human Rights Team, the Human Rights Advisor will serve as AOTR and COTR for central mechanisms.  S/he will provide technical leadership and expert advice on the planning and design of human rights strategies and programs globally.  The Advisor serves as an Agency expert and coordinator in providing intellectual leadership and technical support in the areas of human rights. 

This position requires excellent management skills, a high degree of communications skills, and negotiation ability to serve as a liaison between DCHA/DRG, other offices within DCHA, regional bureaus, USAID Missions globally, the State Department, and other parts of the inter-agency. 

Extensive experience (at least 10 years) in designing, managing, evaluating, and reporting on human rights or other relevant and related programs is essential.  A relevant post-graduate degree and/or equivalent work experience is required.  Experience working in USAID, especially in the DRG sector, is highly desirable but not required.   Superb written and oral communication skills and ability to meet tight deadlines is required.  See the attached position description for more detail.

This position is an FSL appointment, and will be appointed for an initial period of three years.  Extensions would be possible up to five years.  These positions will be subject to the Foreign Service (FS) pay scale and is graded at an FS-2;  exact salary will be commensurate with experience.  Applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

The closing date for this position is March 1, 2012.  Applicants should send a cover letter, CV, writing sample (maximum 4 pages), and list of 5 references to Kevin Sturr, Human Rights Team Chief, at ksturr@usaid.gov.