Job Announcements
(2 positions):
Director
Program Associate
International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net)
To apply for either position: Please send a curriculum vitae, contact information for 3 references, and a letter of interest by May 8th, 2006 to ESCR-Net by email (info@escr-net.org)
Please see full descriptions of Job Requirements at:
http://www.escr-net.org/EngGeneral/dispbreakingnews.asp?tbnid=21
DIRECTOR
The International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) is seeking a Director to serve the Network at an exciting and pivotal stage in its development. ESCR-Net is a collaborative initiative of groups and individuals from around the world working together to secure economic and social justice through human rights, which over the past three years, has evolved as a primary channel for groups working on economic, social and cultural rights to share information and strategies.
The Director of ESCR-Net has primary responsibility for developing the Network in line with the policies and programmatic direction set by the ESCR-Net Board and the issue agenda determined by Members. The Director is responsible for running the ESCR-Net Secretariat, located in New York, and managing the staff.
Specific responsibilities of the Director include the following:
Develop strategy and programmatic direction for the Network, in consultation with the Board and in response to Members’ interests and needs
Coordinate day-to-day activities, programs and administration of the Network, including managing the Secretariat staff and overseeing the administration of funds and financial planning
Raise funds for the operation of the Network and report to funders
Work with program staff to facilitate the thematic working groups, support ongoing projects and develop new activities
Organize meetings, conferences and other events aimed at developing the Network and providing a framework for joint advocacy activities
Represent the Network at international conferences, meetings and strategy sessions, and conduct ongoing outreach for the Network
Follow developments in the field of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) with an aim toward identifying strategic opportunities for the Network
Facilitate governance of the Network by working closely with the Board on setting policies and directions and working with Membership
Maintain lines of communication between the different Network structures: Board, Working Groups, Secretariat and General Assembly (Membership)
Oversee the website development as well as other information sharing mechanisms
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is someone who has excellent coordination, management and negotiation skills; substantive knowledge of the field of ESCR; a proven track record or demonstrated capacity to raise funds; and the strategic thinking and organizational skills to build a strong, decentralized, international network that is membership-driven.
Candidates should have the following qualifications (required):
In-depth knowledge of economic, social and cultural rights, and a minimum of 7 years experience in the field of human rights, with progressively greater responsibility, including a minimum of 3 years of management experience
Strong leadership capacity, strategic vision and creativity to guide the development of the network and its project and advocacy work
Strong management, coordination and interpersonal skills to run the operations of the network and to catalyze collaborative work amongst its members
Excellent political judgment and facilitation skills to work with a wide range of civil society groups and interests as well as help position the network on advocacy issues
Capacity to plan and prioritize well and to juggle multiple demands, and to work comfortably in a small, collegial office environment
Proven ability to work effectively in coalitions and partnerships with other organizations
Fluency in oral and written English, with excellent writing and effective public speaking skills
A record of successful fundraising – or demonstrated capacity – from foundations and other donors
In addition to the qualifications noted above, the following skills and experiences are desirable:
Fluency in either Spanish or French is highly desirable; fluency in other languages, including Arabic, Hindi or Thai is also desirable
A Master’s level degree in law, politics, public policy, international development or related field
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE
The Program Associate will serve as one of two key program staff in the Secretariat providing support and coordination to ESCR-Net’s thematic working groups and initiatives, amongst other activities and functions. For a list of current working groups and initiatives, please visit our website at www.escr-net.org
Specific responsibilities include:
Support the development and functioning of existing ESCR-Net issue-based working groups and work with interested members to start new ones; liaise with working group coordinators, member organizations and other participants in the network to facilitate joint actions and information sharing
Provide project management on working group projects as well as various Secretariat projects related to membership, outreach and new advocacy or capacity building initiatives; organize and facilitate international meetings, as well as conference calls
Moderate discussion groups through ESCR-Net’s thematic listservs, facilitating information exchange, engaging groups to participate and identifying strategic opportunities for collaborative work or capacity building
Research and draft reports and advocacy tools related to ESCR, often based on the contributions of and in collaboration with ESCR-Net members
Outreach to new organizations and individuals in relation to the Network generally as well as in relation to working groups and specific projects
Field queries and other requests from ESCR-Net members and other groups working in the field of human rights, as well as update the website and produce informational materials as necessary
Develop trainings or training materials related to ESCR in partnership with other organizations
Travel internationally in relationship to ESCR-Net activities, as necessary
Facilitate general network functioning, including organizing, administration, governance and work with members
Report to Director and assist Director with projects as requested
Draft funding proposals and help to identify funders
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is someone who has substantive knowledge of the field of human rights, including ESCR; strong interpersonal and coordination skills; works well in collaborative processes; and is energized by and comfortable working with a wide range of organizations, working styles, and issues.
Candidates should have the following qualifications (required):
In-depth knowledge of economic, social and cultural rights, and a minimum of 2 years experience working in the field of human rights
Strong organization, coordination and interpersonal skills, as well as creativity, to support and facilitate collaborative project and advocacy work amongst Network members
Good political judgment and strong facilitation skills to work with a wide range of civil society groups and interests internationally; capacity to do outreach and to work effectively and comfortably with diverse human rights organizations, activists and government officials
Capacity to plan and prioritize well and to juggle multiple demands, and to work comfortably in a small, collegial office environment; openness and flexibility to take on different administrative and support tasks
Ability to quickly grasp new issues through research and in dialogue with members
Fluency in oral and written English, with excellent writing and effective public speaking skills
Fluency in either Spanish or French
In addition to the qualifications noted above, the following skills and experiences are desirable:
Knowledge of or fluency in other languages, especially Arabic, Hindi, or Thai
A Master’s level degree in law, politics, public policy, international development or a related field
Strong knowledge of international human rights law and mechanisms, and an understanding of the application of human rights law in domestic systems
Knowledge of international economic and political systems, including those related to trade, finance and TNCs
Experience as a trainer
Experience with fundraising
General Information
Salary and Benefits
ESCR-Net, a project of the Tides Center, offers competitive compensation and generous employer-paid benefits including medical, dental and vision, and generous vacation and paid leave. Both positions (Director and Program Associate) are based in New York City and include international travel. ESCR-Net will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization.
To Apply
Please send a curriculum vitae, contact information for 3 references, and a letter of interest by May 8th, 2006 to ESCR-Net by email (info@escr-net.org) using Director Search or Program Associate Search as the subject of your email. It is preferred that all materials be submitted by email, but if that is not possible then please send your application by fax to +1 (212) 681-1241.
Due to the high volume of responses we have received in the past, we will not be able to confirm receipt of applications or answer queries. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding during this process.
ESCR-Net, a Project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people outside of the US, women, and people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or the conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS Related Conditions (ARC). Applicants with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.
For more information on ESCR-Net, please visit our website at www.escr-net.org