Director of Global Advocacy, The Center for Reproductive Rights, NYC

Feminist Job Board Job of the Week

MORE / LESSDESCRIPTION

Global Advocacy Director

October 2012 - Job Title: Global Advocacy Director

Department: Global Legal Program, Center for Reproductive Rights

Job Posted On: October 15, 2012

Center Background: Founded in 1992, the 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. Its mission is straightforward and ambitious: to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect and fulfill. The Center is unmatched as a reproductive rights organization 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 female genital mutilation (FGM). It has brought groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. committees and regional human rights bodies. It has built the legal capacity of women's rights advocates in over 50 countries.

The Center is governed by a 20-person Board of Directors and employs more than 100 professionals from Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Kenya, Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Slovakia, Sweden and the U.S.

In addition to a headquarters in New York City, the Center has offices in: Washington D.C.; Bogotá, Colombia; Kathmandu, Nepal; Nairobi, Kenya; and Geneva, Switzerland. Its annual budget of more than $15 million is raised primarily from foundations and individuals.

The new Advocacy Director will be joining the Center at an exciting time for the institution and at a critical time for the reproductive rights movement globally. As opponents of women’s rights have increased their attacks on the legal and human rights framework at the U.N., the Center is fighting back with national, regional, and international strategies embodied in a new strategic plan launched in early 2012. The plan intensifies our efforts to strengthen the legal protections for access to safe and legal abortion, affordable contraception, the expansion of the reproductive rights of adolescents, and the recognition that the prevention of maternal mortality is a fundamental human rights issue.

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

Position Summary and Responsibilities: The Center is seeking a talented strategic program and operations professional to oversee and develop the work of the Global Advocacy Program.

The Global Advocacy Director will work under the supervision of the Director of the Global Legal Program who is based in the New York Office. This position will be based in New York.

The Global Advocacy Director will supervise an Advocacy Adviser, a Fellow, and a Legal Assistant in the New York Office, and an Advocacy Adviser based in Geneva.

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

• Manage the Global Advocacy program, including all aspects of program planning and implementation, financial management, and administrative oversight.
• Design program strategies before different human rights mechanisms and in global processes and on key thematic priorities, in accordance with the Center’s strategic plan.
• Strategize and liaise with the Government Relations Program on advocacy around the U.S. government’s role at the UN and in other global processes.
• Oversee the functioning of the Center’s Geneva presence, including administrative and financial operations, as appropriate.
• Develop and implement the Global Advocacy Program’s annual budget and monitor spending.
• Recruit, train/mentor, supervise and evaluate staff working for the Global Advocacy program. Participate in institutional recruiting processes as needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with international NGOs and key stakeholders to advance implementation of the Center’s strategic plan.
• Support other Center departments in institutional fundraising, and monitoring and evaluation efforts.
• Represent the Center externally on matters related to reproductive rights through public speaking and interaction with the media.
• Contribute to formal submissions for UN human rights bodies.
• Support the design and implementation of wider institutional and Global Legal program priorities, as appropriate (e.g., coordinating or supporting an intra or inter-departmental initiative).
• Contribute to the development of advocacy materials and other Center publications.
• Represent the Center in various networks and coalitions.
• Develop pro bono partnerships and projects with law firms, law associations, and law schools to leverage our global advocacy work.
• Partner with the Communications Department to effectively develop and implement program communications strategy to increase support and visibility from key audiences.
• International travel is required.

Overall Candidate Requirements: The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of strong management, creative advocacy and strategic thinking, good judgment and excellent analytical capabilities. In addition, we are seeking candidates with 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 communication and coordination skills; the ability to lead and manage a multinational team; the ability to work effectively as part of the senior leadership team of the Global Legal Program; and the capacity to build and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders.

Applicants must have: A graduate degree in law or in a related field and at least seven years of experience working on legal or human rights strategies. Substantial knowledge of the UN human rights system; familiarity with international human rights law.Strong commitment to the Center’s mission, purpose, and values. Ability to develop and manage program staff and operations in an international office environment. Effective public speaking skills, and excellent writing skills in English, are required. Fluency in another UN language is desirable.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.

MORE / LESSHOW TO APPLY

To Apply: Send cover letter with salary requirements, résumé, and contact information for 3 references to:resumes@reprorights.org

Note: Applicants must indicate “Global Advocacy Director, their last name and code 160” as the subject of emailed applications. Cover letter with salary requirements, résumé, and contact information should be sent as one attachment. The deadline for submitting applications will be November 16th, 2012.

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.

MORE / LESSLOCATION

120 Wall Street, 14th Floor, New York, New York, 10005, United States

MORE / LESSDETAILS

Application deadline

November 16, 2012

Education requirements

Master's degree, Graduate degree in law or related field.

Languages needed

English, Fluency in another UN language is desirable

Employment type

Full time

Professional level

None specified

Salary details

Commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Excellent benefits.

Job function

Management, Advocacy, Legal

Owner's areas of focus

Legal assistance, Women, Human rights and civil liberties