Derechos: Human Rights Listings

Director - Washington DC Office

EDUCATION: ADVANCED DEGREE IN LEGAL STUDIES
(LAW DEGREE IN CONTINENTAL LAW / LLM A PLUS)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 20TH, 2006
ORGANIZATION: CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW (CEJIL)
SALARY: COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE
AREA OF FOCUS: INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW (LATIN AMERICA)
LOCATION: WASHINGTON, DC; UNITED STATES
EMAIL: WASHINGTON@CEJIL.ORG

Established in 1991 by a group of prominent Latin American human rights defenders, the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) is a regional organization that works to promote human rights throughout the Hemisphere through the effective use of the Inter-American System for the Protection of Human Rights, composed of the Inter-American Commission and Court, the human rights bodies of the Organization of American States (OAS). CEJIL's mandate to effectively promote and protect the human rights of citizens throughout the region is carried out from three program areas: 1) Legal Defense Program, 2) Training and Dissemination Program, and 3) Program to Strengthen the Inter-American System. Through these areas, CEJIL provides free legal advice and training on the use of international human rights instruments to victims of violations, their families, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies, making the Inter-American System more effective and responsive to the needs of its users, while working towards the full implementation of international human rights norms in the Member States of OAS.

CEJIL’s Washington DC office runs the institution’s programs in the Andean Region, North America, and the Caribbean. They include the litigation of over a hundred cases before the Inter-American Commission and Court on Human Rights, training activities, publications, and advocacy. Every regional office also has responsibilities for the support of litigation, production of materials, trainings, institutional representation, and fundraising that are not necessarily linked to the regional area of focus.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a staff of eight people (including legal and non legal staff)
• Organize and plan the functioning of the regional program in coordination with the Executive Director
• Oversee the implementation and execution of projects (programmatically and financially) with the assistance of the Director of Institutional Development and Deputy Director
• Supervise legal, training, and advocacy work
• Participate in the litigation of human rights cases before the IA Commission and Court on Human Rights
• Coordinate production of publications (including Annual Reports, newsletters, books) and other communication efforts
• Participate in training exercises, seminars, and conferences
• Oversee administrative tasks related to the management of the DC office
• Assist with the hiring of staff
• DC Director should expect to travel (mostly internationally) roughly 20% of his/her time.

Additional Qualifications:

• Advanced degree legal studies (Law Degree in Continental Law or LLM a Plus)
• More than 5 years of experience in the field (preferably including management experience)
• Strong legal skills (preferable experience in international human rights or inter-American system)
• Knowledge of Latin America and its human rights community
• Exceptional organizational, strategic planning, problem solving and budgeting skills
• Strong follow through, as well as leadership and interpersonal skills
• Previous experience in NGOs, both at the regional and international level, desired
• Excellent writing, editing and oral communications skills in both English and Spanish - Portuguese is a plus
• Familiarity with the international human rights donor community is a plus
• Flexibility and focus to perform and prioritize several tasks on short notice within designated deadlines
• Ability to be collegial and team oriented, yet be able to work independently in a fast paced multi-cultural environment

CEJIL offers an excellent benefits package that includes generous paid vacation, as well as employer-paid health, dental, major medical and life insurance. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume ASAP to the address or e-mail below. Interviews will begin May 25, 2006. Email submissions encouraged.

How to Apply:
Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)
Attn: DC Director Job Search
1630 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Suite #401
Washington, DC 20009-1053
FAX: (202) 319-3019
Email: Washington@cejil.org