Resource Type:

Job

Posted On: Jan 12, 2010

Posted By: Shereen Santalesa

URL:

humanrightsfirst.org

Description:

Senior Advocacy Strategist - Washington DC

Human Rights First (HRF), an organization that builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and works to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence, seeks a new Senior Advocacy Strategist.

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.

HRF 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.  HRF advocates for change at the highest levels of national and international policymaking. HRF seeks justice through the courts. HRF raises awareness and understanding through the media. HRF builds coalitions among those with divergent views. And HRF mobilizes people to act.

The Senior Advocacy Strategist, a newly created position, will be responsible for devising, planning, coordinating, and executing strategies for influencing U.S. human rights policy,  including communicating HRF's positions to Congress, the Executive Branch, other government entities, and the media; and developing HRF's relationships with key NGO partners to advance HRF's domestic advocacy effort.  The Senior Advocacy Strategist will be an entrepreneur and a creative thinker and leader, who is willing and able to build a bipartisan effort and embrace unlikely coalition partners.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working with the Director of Policy and Programs, program directors, program advocacy counsels and other HRF staff to define and execute HRF's domestic advocacy agenda;

• Building HRF's capacity to plan, execute, and sustain its advocacy work;

• Developing HRF's capacity to understand and track external conditions and to anticipate political trends and emerging human rights issues;

• Providing input into the annual organizational planning process for all programs and initiatives to develop achievable objectives and effective domestic advocacy strategies and activities;

• Providing ongoing coordination, evaluation and guidance on strategies to advance specific program objectives with the US government, including written and oral advocacy, initiating legislation, and promoting Administration priorities, policies, programs and initiatives;

• In some cases, leading HRF advocacy efforts directed at specific U.S. government policies and programs; staying closely connected to the activities of these bodies by regularly meeting with members of Congress and attending Congressional hearings; and meeting with executive agencies and offices, and coordinate HRF's programmatic work with these groups;

• In consultation with the Director of Policy and Program, Program staff, Communications and Development staff, producing and disseminating organizational and advocacy messages and materials designed to engage key constituencies in the U.S and around the world;

• Working with the Communications team and the Deputy Director of Policy and Programs to encourage a stronger public profile of HRF's work through media outreach, including traditional and new media, to advance HRF's vision, values, and strategic goals to key internal and external audiences;

• Developing and maintaining productive working relationships with policy- and decision-makers in both the legislative and executive branches, and facilitate the establishment of such relationships of the program advocacy counsels and other program staff;

• Initiating and maintaining relationships with other rights advocacy organization and inter-governmental organizations and lead HRF's participation in coalition advocacy efforts that cut across HRF's programmatic work;

• Providing mentoring, support, and training to program staff engaged in advocacy activities to ensure the ongoing development of skills and experiences, including persuasive writing and speaking, coalition building, negotiating, strategic thinking, and developing effective policy recommendations; and

• Keeping program directors and other staff informed of policy opportunities and developments for all areas of HRF's work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least seven years of experience in shaping US government policy on human rights or related issues and/or policymaking experience in the Congress or the Executive Branch;
• A strong and seasoned track record of persuasive, effective advocacy, sound political judgment, and creative strategizing;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; experience communicating with the press and other media;

• Demonstrated team building and mentoring skills;

• Experience working with diverse Washington constituencies;

• A JD or graduate degree is required; and

• International policy and/or legal experience and knowledge of international human rights institutions a plus.

SALARY: Competitive, excellent benefits.

TO APPLY: Send cover letter and resume to settleson@verizon.net, subject line: HRF SAS, CODE 501

DEADLINE: January 29, 2010; applications will be considered on a rolling basis

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. All applicants will be notified of our receipt of application; only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews.

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