The New York national office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a national not-for-profit public interest organization, is seeking a Human Rights Researcher for its Human Rights Program (HRP).
The ACLU is a nationwide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied in the U.S. Constitution. In our efforts to strengthen and expand the body of U.S. laws protecting civil rights and civil liberties, the ACLU has long recognized international human rights law as an important yet underutilized tool. We have been part of a growing movement to introduce an international human rights framework to domestic rights advocacy. In November 2004, the ACLU created the Human Rights Program which works to ensure that the U.S. government complies with universal human rights principles in addition to the U.S. Constitution. The Program uses human rights strategies to complement existing ACLU advocacy on national security, immigrants' rights, women's rights and racial justice. For this end, HRP conducts human rights education and training sessions, engages in advocacy and litigation before US courts and international bodies, including the United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms (such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights).
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Human Rights Researcher will be an integral member of the ACLU’s Human Rights Program, which currently includes three human rights lawyers, one advocacy associate and one legal assistant. The Human Rights Researcher will not engage directly in litigation. The responsibilities are as follows:
§ Work closely with members of the Human Rights Program, other ACLU national projects, legislative departments, and ACLU state affiliates to improve awareness and accountability for human rights violations in the U.S. and by the U.S. government.
§ Write, edit, and plan the distribution of advocacy and public education materials, briefing papers, facts sheets, and “know your human rights” materials.
§ Conduct fact-finding visits and draft submissions to regional and international human rights bodies.
§ Develop, design and perform research projects independently. Collect, analyze and organize research on domestic implementation of international human rights standards.
§ Track, monitor and analyze news, state and federal legislation and significant policy developments related to U.S. obligations under international human rights law, including the ratification of human rights treaties, in the area of women's rights, children’s rights, disability rights and migrants’ rights.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
§ Bachelor’s degree required. JD or other graduate degree preferred, but not required.
§ Minimum 3 years experience with research, writing and advocacy in the field of civil or human rights.
§ Advanced-level proficiency and previous experience in a variety of computer software applications and research databases (i.e Lexis-Nexis or Westlaw).
§ Must be self-motivated and have the ability to work independently as well as within a team.
§ Excellent analytical, writing and organizational skills.
§ Well-developed knowledge of international human rights law and framework and the application within the United States and to U.S. actions abroad.
§ A demonstrated interest in the areas of immigrants’ rights, women’s rights, racial justice and national security is preferred.
§ Willingness to travel required.
COMPENSATION
The ACLU offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU compensation scale.
How to Apply:
HOW TO APPLY
If you are a proactive and resourceful team player with a passion for public interest issues, please send a cover letter (with salary requirements), resume, two letters of recommendation and two writing samples such as a research memo, article, or brief by email to hrjobs@aclu.org. Reference [LGLF-41/ID] in subject line – or by mail to:
Human Resources
RE: [LGLF-41/ID]
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before August 20, 2007. Please indicate where you learned of this job posting.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”