HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROGRAM DIRECTOR

For
more than 30 years, HRF has worked in the United States and abroad to
create a more secure and humane world by advancing justice, human
dignity and respect for the rule of law.

Human Rights First
protects people at risk: refugees who flee persecution, victims of
crimes against humanity or other mass human rights violations, victims
of discrimination, human rights advocates who are targeted for
defending the rights of others, and those whose rights are eroded in
the name of national security. Human Rights First is practical and
effective. We advocate for change at the highest levels of national and
international policymaking. We raise awareness and understanding
through the media. We build coalitions among those with divergent views.
And we mobilize people to act.

Human Rights First is seeking a
dynamic, strategic thinker to implement our new plan for its human
rights defenders work which we are rolling out in 2010. The new plan
builds on over a decade of successful work protecting human rights
defenders around the world, and over thirty years of promoting
international human rights protections through partnerships with groups
on the ground in countries where human rights are threatened.

The
goal of the new strategic plan for the program is that human rights
defenders in selected countries work free from harm and interference. We
will focus on advancing a U.S. foreign policy that supports the
realization of an enabling environment for human rights promotion,
focused especially on freedom of expression and association for human
rights defenders. As a U.S. based organization, we will focus on
countries where the bilateral relationship with the United States
provides leverage and responsibility to take action and will include
those dependent on U.S. support. As the program expands we will aim to
work with partners in 3-6 countries in different regions of the
world. Possible countries include: Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia,
Indonesia, Kenya, Pakistan and Thailand.

In each focus country we will have a principal partnership with a respected national NGO. We will work
with partners to eliminate obstacles to human rights advocacy and to
collaboratively achieve genuine policy change; work with the U.S.
government to support that change and prevent future abuses; and work
with all concerned to protect defenders who come under threat in the
course of these efforts work.

The director of the Human Rights
Defenders program will set program objectives and priorities and
develop projects and activities based on an analysis of opportunities
where Human Rights First can make a unique, recognizable and meaningful
impact on the environment in which human rights defenders carry out
their work in focus countries.

The director will report to the
director of Policy and Programs. He/she will work in regular and close
consultation with the international policy advisor, the senior advocacy
strategist, and with the Communications and Development departments
to advance program and organizational goals, as well as to help expand
funding for this work.

Primary responsibilities will include:

Leadership and Program Development and Direction

• Implement HRDP's new strategic plan, including hiring new staff,
  defining focus countries where the United States has leverage and
  responsibility, establishing partnerships with local organizations.
• Lead and direct the HRDP's program activities, staffing, and operations.
• Set program objectives and priorities and develop projects and
  activities based on an analysis of opportunities where Human Rights
  First can make a unique, recognizable and meaningful impact on human
  rights defenders in defined focus countries.
• Develop concrete
  and practical policy recommendations for ensuring that human rights
  defenders' freedom of expression and association are protected in focus
  countries; develop and implement strategies to advance those
  recommendations at the international, regional and national levels, in
  consultation with the senior advocacy strategist.
• Identify
  opportunities for cooperation across programs to advance the goals and
  objectives of the organization as a whole as well as the Human Rights
  Defenders program.
• Define and develop a strong public profile
  for Human Rights First's work in this area, including the production
  of news generating reports and materials and the development of
  strategies aimed at educating and engaging the U.S. public with respect
  to these issues, in close consultation with Human Rights First's
  Communications department.
• Cultivate and manage strategic
  relationships, coalitions, and partnerships to enhance the scope and
  effectiveness of program efforts, including regular outreach to U.S.
  federal agencies, Congress, press, international bodies, NGOs and
  expert consultants.
• Develop an annual plan for the program,
  and work plans for its staff, ensuring that program activities are
  result-oriented and advance Human Rights First's overall goals, and set
  clear program performance objectives linked to program and annual
  plans.

Research, Policy Analysis and Advocacy

• Lead program efforts to effect significant policy change to improve
  the enabling environment for human rights defenders in our focus
  countries through ground-breaking field and investigative reports,
  specific and practical policy recommendations, written products that
  generate media, and public attention; and communicating the needs of
  human rights defenders to a wide range of audiences including senior
  decision makers, the media and both professional and popular audiences.
• Serve as an advocate for Human Rights First with all branches of the
  federal government, international bodies, the media, and professional
  and other public audiences.

Management, Program Administration, and Organization

• Recruit and effectively manage a small team of skilled professionals;
  define and oversee the full scope of program work; delegate tasks and
  assignments; foster teamwork, collaboration, and innovation; inspire
  excellent performance.
• Mentor and develop staff by setting
  clear expectations and work standards; provide needed information,
  resources, and tools for skill development; and actively working with
  staff to review and revise research, writing (targeting varied
  audiences), and advocacy projects.
• Develop and manage the annual HRDP budget, track financial performance, and adjust spending as necessary.
• Ensure that the HRDP structure and staffing are aligned with Human Rights First goals, strategies and expectations.
• Participate in the nomination and selection process of HRF awards to
  defenders, and coordinating advocacy opportunities for recipients with
  policymakers and the media.
• Work closely with Human Rights
  First's Development department to identify sources of funding for HRDP
  work, support fundraising efforts through grant writing and editing,
  and outreach to key donors and foundations to ensure long-term
  sustainability of HRDP advocacy activities as well as public advocacy
  campaigns associated with it.

Candidates must have the following qualifications:

• Experience
  working with human rights defenders outside the United
  States in collaborative efforts to confront the challenges that
  human rights defenders face.
• Significant international human
  rights experience and detailed understanding of at least one
  region of the world. Fluency in at least one language other than
  English.

• Knowledge and experience in
  U.S. government policy development and decision making, and in the
  workings of one or more branches of the federal government; sound
  policy judgment.
• Excellent written and spoken communication
  skills; demonstrated abilities to translate demands of human
  rights defenders to a variety of audiences (including policymakers
  and the media) and effectively edit the written work of others.
• Proven
  ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and
  deliver high quality results; to work successfully across
  organization lines and with a diverse team of colleagues; to work
  in a variety of U.S. and international settings (including
  governmental, legal, advocacy and the media).
• Strong
  strategic, organizational and analytical skills; good judgment; a
  high degree of initiative; and the desire and ability to thrive
  and multi-task in a demanding, fast-paced, professional
  environment.
• Substantial, successful leadership experience
  in the management of a team of highly skilled professionals,
  including in setting department direction, and organizing,
  delegating and managing the work of others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Fundraising
  experience including a demonstrated ability to develop
  fundraising proposals and budgets and to cultivate relationships
  with individual donors.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Strong
  professional profile, credibility and experience in making or
  influencing government policies and practices in the areas of
  human rights.
• Experience working with the press to achieve advocacy goals.
• Advanced degree in law, international affairs, human rights or other relevant discipline.
• Extensive public speaking experience in domestic and international settings.

SALARY: Competitive, Excellent benefits.

LOCATION: Washington D.C. (New York possible)

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 18, 2010

START DATE: THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE HIRE

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please complete the online application found at http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/about_us/jobs/apply_staff.aspx

You will be requested to provide:

- Cover letter (upload)

- Resume (upload)

- Names and contact details for three (3) references (enter online)

- Writing Sample (upload)

Please enter Recruitment Code 501 when completing the application.

HUMAN
RIGHTS FIRST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE CONSIDER APPLICANTS
FOR ALL POSITIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED,
GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS,
SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.

www.HumanRightsFirst.org