Regional Manager for Asia at the Center for Reproductive Rights

Regional Manager for Asia

Department: International Legal Program, Center for Reproductive Rights

Job Posted On: Friday, March 25, 2011

Center Background: Founded in 1992 and headquartered in New York City, Center for Reproductive Rights is a non-profit organization that promotes women’s equality worldwide by securing reproductive rights in constitutional and international human rights law. The Center uses the law to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill. The Center is unparalleled as a reproductive rights advocacy organization and in its expertise on U.S. constitutional law, comparative law, and international human rights law.

The Center works across the globe on issues including access to life-saving obstetrics care, contraception, abortion services, and comprehensive sexuality information, as well as the prevention of forced sterilization and FGM. It has brought groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. committees, and regional human rights bodies, and has built the legal capacity of women's rights advocates in over 45 countries. In recent years, the Center has aggressively expanded its international program and built on its established reputation as first-rate litigators to take the human rights framework into its work in the U.S. In 2008, the Center established the Law School Initiative to promote legal scholarship and teaching on reproductive health and human rights, an emerging body of transnational law, to shape the thinking of the next generation of lawyers, judges, and policymakers.

The Center is led by President Nancy Northup, who joined the Center in 2003 with a rich mix of experience as a constitutional litigator, federal prosecutor, and women’s rights advocate. Under Ms. Northup’s leadership, the Center expanded its international work, including the launch of an international litigation campaign that has included the first abortion case decided by the U.N. Human Rights Committee and the first case to frame preventable maternal deaths as a human rights violation.

The Center is governed by a 21-person board of directors and employs a diverse staff of 70 professionals from Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Slovakia, and the U.S. In addition to a headquarters in New York City, the Center has offices in Washington D.C., Nairobi, Bogotá and in 2011 will open an office in Asia. Its annual budget of $11.4 million is raised primarily from foundations and individuals.

To learn more about the Center for Reproductive Rights, go to www.reproductiverights.org

Responsibilities: The Center is seeking a talented, creative and strategic Regional Manager for Asia to oversee and develop the work of its new Regional Office in Asia. The Regional Manager for Asia will work under the supervision of the Regional Director for Asia who is based in the New York Office and help establish and eventually manage the Regional Office in all areas of program work as defined in the Center’s strategic plan. This position will be based overseas.

The Regional Office will be based potentially either in Nepal, Thailand or Singapore. It will operate in focus countries identified by the Center and will engage in advocacy with regional human rights bodies, regional NGOs and UN Treaty Monitoring Bodies. Travel to New York will be required once a year and in the region as needed for research, advocacy and participation in meetings

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Program responsibilities

Litigation and Advocacy:

• Identify opportunities for litigation in collaboration with partner organizations. 
• Develop the factual record and pleadings, research and write legal memoranda, amicus curiae, and case briefs on comparative and international human rights law.
• Participate in the design and implementation of advocacy strategies to support litigation.

Technical Assistance for Law Reform and Capacity Building:

• Identify opportunities for contributing to law reform initiatives and draft bills that relate to strategic priorities.
• Develop capacity-building strategies to promote the use of reproductive rights litigation and advocacy in the region.

Research and Advocacy:

• Conduct general legal and policy research on reproductive rights in the region and identify and analyze key trends, including opposition to abortion rights.
• Monitor compliance with international obligations relating to reproductive rights and jurisprudential developments. 
• Participate in fact-finding missions to document and expose human rights violations.
• Contribute to formal submissions for UN human rights bodies and draft submissions for national and regional human rights bodies.
• Contribute to the development of advocacy material and other Center publications.

Management responsibilities

Staff supervision and inter-office liaising:

• Recruit, train and supervise a finance and administration assistant.
• Recruit, supervise and mentor interns to support the program.
• Regularly liaise with concerned staff at the New York Office.

External relations and fundraising:

• Develop and maintain relationships with local and regional NGOs. 
• Identify potential donors and actively engage in fundraising for the Regional Program.
• Liaise with international funders based in-country and represent the Center in various networks and coalitions
• Cultivate pro bono partnerships and develop projects with law firms, law associations, and law schools in the region to leverage our work. 
• Represent the Center externally on matters related to reproductive rights in the region through public speaking and interaction with the media.

Overall Candidate Requirements: The ideal candidate will be a creative and strategic thinker and have good judgment and excellent analytical capabilities; strong writing skills; the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure; the capacity to take initiative, prioritize, and pay close attention to detail while juggling multiple tasks; strong communications skills; the ability to supervise, train and mentor junior staff; the ability to work effectively as part of a team and in partnership with peer organizations; and be pro-active and ready to take leadership when needed.

Applicants must have: A law degree and at least five years of experience working internationally and/or nationally to develop and promote human rights strategies in the area of women’s rights; substantial knowledge of international law and mechanisms; experience in litigation, advocacy, program management, strategic planning and staff supervision; and excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills in English. A minimum commitment of two years is required. 
Previous experience working with women’s rights NGOs based in Asia and fluency in at least one Asian language is strongly desirable.

Send cover letter and résumé to:

Email (preferred): resumes@reprorights.org

Note: Applicants must indicate “Regional Manager for Asia, their last name and code 110” as the subject of emailed applications. Cover letter and resume should be sent as attachments.

The deadline for submitting applications will be May 31st. Please note that resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Center for Reproductive Rights is an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage candidates from all groups and communities to apply.

Research Fellow & Co-Director, Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense at The Stimson Center

The Stimson Center's Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense program vision is to improve American national security at a lower cost to the American people. We seek to strengthen the capacity and capability of the US government to frame, resource, and execute foreign and national security policies and programs. The Stimson Center seeks a full-time Fellow to co-direct and manage this program.

The project focuses on providing pragmatic options for strengthening civilian foreign policy institutions and providing discipline and focus to defense institutions, with a particular focus on human and fiscal resources, structures, and planning and budgeting processes, and authorities. We communicate our analyses and proposals to policymakers, the media, and interested organizations working in the foreign policy and national security fields.
The Fellow will work in collaboration with the Project Director, will design and conduct research and analysis, take principal responsibility for managing the BFAD program, and will be responsible for developing and overseeing project outreach. This Fellow will collaborate with Stimson staff and colleagues from partner institutions that work on this initiative.

Duties:

•Conceptualize and implement research/advocacy projects that advance knowledge, debate and policy-making in specified areas of national/international security, with a particular focus on institutions, processes, authorities, and budgets;

•Set priorities for projects, communicate these priorities effectively, and manage the projects efficiently;

•Prepare substantive content for funding proposals and participate with management in identification, development, and cultivation of funding sources;

•Build relationships with influential individuals and institutions in the project’s field;

•Conceptualize, research, write, and publish analysis and findings through op-ed’s, reports, books, press releases, blog pieces, etc.;

•Relay timely and useful information to press contacts upon request;

•Support other BFAD project work through evaluation of proposal ideas, writings, and finding areas of intersection of work;

•Develop and implement mechanisms to evaluate project progress and ensure timely and high quality work product;

•Monitor project spending and funding; and

•Provide day-to-day management of project staff.

Qualifications:

•Substantive knowledge of national security and foreign policy institutions; resource planning; agency and interagency, and congressional processes for dealing with national security and foreign policy issues, including, but not limited to defense, diplomacy, and foreign assistance programs, budgets, policies, and processes.

•Graduate degree with at least 3-4 years of relevant experience.

•Ability to work independently and to work well with peers in a team environment

•Superior research and writing skills; ability to verbally articulate ideas in presentations and interviews

•Demonstrated ability to handle a large number of ongoing activities, to prioritize accordingly, often under deadline

•Some project and personnel management experience

•Personal commitment to, knowledge or, and interest in the substantive work of the program

To apply, please visit http://stimson.iapplicants.com/ViewJob-163715.html and click "Apply Now."

Policy and Advocacy Director, Women's Human Rights at Amnesty International (USA)

The Policy and Advocacy Director, Women’s Human Rights (PADW) serves as AIUSA’s staff specialist and lead strategist on women’s human rights, particularly as impacted and influenced by the United States government. The PADW is responsible for furthering AIUSA’s work on women’s human rights with expertise, advocacy and strategy development. Responsibilities include:

• Support for ongoing work related to Amnesty International’s campaigns with expertise, advocacy and strategy development
• Serve as AIUSA’s staff content and policy expert on women’s human rights, including issues associated with global violence against women. Develop strategies to address human rights concerns in line with Amnesty International (AI) policies. Implement goals through advocacy and membership channels.
• Maintain collaborative relationship with the Women’s Human Rights Coordination Group (the CoGroup), including regular communication and joint planning to ensure that work carried out by staff and volunteer specialists is complementary and coherent. In collaboration with the CoGroup, work with the International Secretariat to craft and implement AI’s strategy and translates that strategy for the US context to expand opportunity for advocacy and membership action.
• In collaboration with the Managing Directors of the Research unit, the Policy unit, and the Government Relations unit, plus the CoGroup, monitor human rights developments and analyze emerging areas of law and government policy. Develop responses.
• In collaboration with the Managing Directors of the Research unit, the Policy unit, and the Government Relations unit, plus the CoGroup, educate members and staff about AI policy in relation to women’s human rights and engage the section in AI policy development processes.
• Build coalition partners, undertake outreach to external allies, and engage in public education on women’s human rights issues.
• Work closely with Government Relations unit to promote Amnesty International’s positions with Congress and federal agencies, in particular in relation to the International Violence Against Women Act and Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
  Support campaigns and ongoing work through communications, outreach and mobilization
• Serve as one of AIUSA's and AI's main spokespersons on women’s human rights issues, and in collaboration with the CoGroup, represent Amnesty's concerns and policies at membership and public events, and work with Media Relations staff to craft responses that are timely, accurate and aligned with AI policies.
• In collaboration with the CoGroup, educate and advise AIUSA members and staff colleagues about AI's concerns and policies in this area.
• Support AIUSA membership, diversity, and growth goals. Assist the External Affairs department in fundraising efforts.

Additional duties

Administer related grants as appropriate, including workplan development and evaluation and reporting on use of funds. Maintain a program budget; report on use of funds. Supervise and provide training to interns and volunteers when appropriate. Create internal and external reports as needed.

Qualifications:
Expertise and strategic capacity required to understand, analyze and communicate about issues in this area of work and to design and help implement advocacy strategies to effect change. MA or JD preferred, in relevant field. Four to six years of directly related experience required.

Send resume and cover letter with salary history to humanresources@aiusa.org. Please write “WHR-I” in the subject line of your email. We regret that we are unable to take individual phone calls about the position. AIUSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Staff Attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County

NLSLA is actively pursuing stellar candidates for a Staff Attorney position with our public interest law firm in the general Los Angeles area.

Position Description

Staff Attorneys focus on a broad range of advocacy including litigation, administrative hearings, and/or policy work in substantive legal areas across multiple practice areas affecting low-income individuals and families. Practice areas include: administrative law, housing & consumer law, employment, immigration, family law, community development, and health care. Staff Attorneys are also expected to provide outreach and education to community groups; and assist with training and mentorship of paralegal staff. Assignments will depend upon NLSLA program priorities

Position Requirements

Entry level attorney (0-5 years experience) who is highly motivated and passionate about public service work, with sensitivity to those in crisis. Excellent writing, speaking and organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, community organizations, attorneys, the judiciary and the public. General poverty law and employment law background as well as experience working with low-income organizations and client groups preferred. Bilingual skills and California Bar membership are required.

Description of the Organization

Neighborhood Legal Services (NLSLA) is one of Los Angeles County's leading public interest law offices and has been the primary legal aid program serving the San FernandoValley for 40 years and the San Gabriel, Pomona & Antelope Valleys since 2001. The NLSLA staff of 100+, including 45 lawyers, provides legal assistance to low-income individuals, families and groups in the areas of family law and domestic violence, housing, health care, education, public benefits, economic and job development, immigrant rights, consumer rights, and environmental justice. NLSLA-LA program offices are located in the cities of Glendale, Pacoima and El Monte.

Benefits

We offer a choice of medical, including an option for 100% employer-paid coverage, for and dental plans, vision, as well as, life and disability insurance, 125 plan, 403b with employer contribution, a loan repayment program for legal education, sick, vacation and 13 employer-paid holidays. Prior service with another legal services program is considered in determining vacation accurals and employer contributions towards the 403(b).

Please forward resume , letter of interst and writing sample to (no phone calls please):
 

Thomas Harang, Director of Human Resources
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
1102 E. Chevy Chase Drive
Glendale, CA 91205
Fax: (818) 291-1790 E-mail: employment@nls-la.org

International Law Intern at the Independent Diplomat

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
New York Office, Summer 2011
Independent Diplomat seeks an intern to start work in its New York office in late May / early June 2011.
Applications close on 17 April 2011.

About Independent Diplomat
Independent Diplomat (ID) is a unique non‐profit venture in the world of international relations, diplomacy and conflict prevention. Staffed by former diplomats, international lawyers and other experts in international relations, ID offers independent and confidential advice and assistance on diplomatic technique and strategy to governments, international institutions, non‐governmental organizations and political groups. Independent Diplomat has offices in New York, London, Washington D.C., Brussels and Juba.

Internship Details
The internships will begin in New York in early June 2011 for a mutually agreed duration of four to six months. ID prefers that its interns be available full-time during regular office hours.

ID internships provide an excellent opportunity to be closely involved in a fast‐growing international team working at the cutting edge of international affairs and diplomacy. Internships are voluntary and unpaid, but home‐to‐office travel expenses will be reimbursed. Independent Diplomat cannot provide immigration support or visa sponsorship.

ID maintains a flexible system; all interns must be willing to undertake a wide range of tasks across the many issues and geographic areas that ID covers, as well as general administrative tasks such as faxing and meeting/event organization.

Given ID’s current operational priorities, successful candidates should possess a background and experience in law, including:
• A law degree, either in common or civil law. Experience in both systems of law would be valued;
• Professional legal experience strongly preferred;
• An academic background in public international law, so as to assist in the development of the legal dimension of the diplomatic advice ID provides to its clients, and to advance ID’s clients’ positions under international law;
• General legal skills so as to assist with ID’s institutional obligations, including in co‐ operation with ID’s network of pro bono lawyers.

Required skills and experience
The successful candidates will be well organized, professional, and able to quickly digest and analyze a large amount of complex information from a variety of sources. They will have strong knowledge of and demonstrated interest in international affairs and diplomatic relations, especially the United Nations and other international institutions. Above all, candidates should exhibit an enthusiasm for international diplomacy, conflict prevention and dispute resolution, as well as the mission of Independent Diplomat more broadly.

Previous office experience (either paid work or internships) is essential, as is the willingness and flexibility to fit in with a small and busy team. Fluency in English, excellent writing skills, and strong IT and internet research skills are essential; fluency in other official UN languages, specifically Spanish and French, would be an advantage. Experience with website design/editing, HTML, graphic design or video editing would be valued.

Please send a CV or résumé (maximum two pages) and separate covering letter (maximum one page) pasted into the body of the email to info@independentdiplomat.org . Please include the words ‘New York Legal Internship – Summer 2011,’ in the email subject line, as applicable. Applications close on 17 April 2011.

The covering letter should:
• Explain the reasons for your interest in an internship position with ID;
• Demonstrate your suitability for the role;
• Indicate your preferred length of internship (no less than 4 months) and your work status.

The CV or résumé should include the names and contact details of two referees, ideally an academic referee and a current or recent employer.

Due to the large number of applicants, we regret that we are unable to confirm receipt of applications, provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates, or pay travel expenses for interviews conducted in person in New York.
For further information about Independent Diplomat, please visit our website at: www.independentdiplomat.org.

UN Election Advocacy Intern at the Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch’s (“HRW”) Advocacy Department seeks an intern to assist with a global campaign by nongovernmental organizations to improve the membership of the UN Human Rights Council by shining a spotlight on candidate states with poor human rights records, in an election to be held in the UN General Assembly on May 20, 2011. The campaign will also seek to promote the observance of human rights standards through the election process.

Duties will include: Research and drafting regarding issues related to the 2011 election campaign for members of the UN Human Rights Council and the human rights records of candidate states; setting up meetings with diplomats at UN Missions, coordinating internal meetings and communications with allied nongovernmental organizations around the world, and otherwise assisting with administrative work for the election campaign. Assisting with preparation of an innovative website for the campaign. 

The internship offers experience in research and the development of advocacy strategies, direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, interaction with the UN, foreign and domestic government officials, and other nongovernmental organizations, and opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, and special events relating to human rights. The internship is unpaid.

Qualifications: Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in international relations, the United Nations, and human rights. Relevant coursework and experience are highly desirable. Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Internet applications) are required; web design skills are desirable. Complete written and oral fluency in English is required; knowledge of foreign languages is a plus.

Please apply immediately by sending a letter of interest, resume, names of references, and a brief, unedited writing sample (no calls or email inquiries, please) to advocacyinternships@hrw.org. Please use “UN Election Advocacy Internship” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. It is preferred that all materials be submitted via email. If emailing is not possible, send materials (please do not split a submission between email and regular post) to:

Human Rights Watch
Attn: Search Committee (UN Election Advocacy Internship)
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
Fax: (212) 736-1300

Call for Submissions for Eyes on the ICC!

Eyes on the ICC is the first peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal dedicated exclusively to the work of the International Criminal Court and international criminal law.

The journal, published annually by the Council for American Students in International Negotiations, invites quality submissions for its seventh volume from practitioners, scholars, jurists and professionals in fields related to international criminal law and policy. Occasionally, exceptional students work will be accepted. Manuscripts are accepted on a rolling basis until August 15, 2011. 

Manuscripts must be computer-generated and submitted electronically via e-mail to icc@americanstudents.us or via Berkeley Electronic Press's ExpressO submission service, at http://law.bepress.com/expresso.

Each submission should contain an abstract, the author's CV, appropriate contact information and a cover letter. Articles and notes may range in length from 25 to 80 pages, double-spaced. Book reviews range from 1,000 to 2,500 words. Submissions should adhere closely to the Chicago Manual of Style and cite sources in legal format according to the Harvard Blue Book. 

Authors are encouraged to seek comments on their manuscripts from colleagues within their discipline. The journal invites commentary on the quality of its submissions, whether by private correspondence or published letter.

Correspondence, not directly related to the submission process should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Bernhard Kuschnik.