Closing date: 14 Mar 2008 -- (CLOSED)
Location: United States of America - New York, NY
Human Rights First works in the United States and abroad to create a secure and humane world by advancing justice, human dignity and respect for the rule of law. We work to protect individuals at risk: Refugees fleeing persecution, victims of crimes against humanity or other mass human rights violations, victims of discrimination, those whose rights are eroded in the name of national security, and human rights advocates who are targeted for defending the rights of others.
The Fighting Discrimination Program combats discrimination by reversing the tide of antisemitic, anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim violence and reducing other bias crime, primarily in North America, Europe, and the Russian Federation. The program seeks to protect victims of violence generated by prejudice and hatred founded upon a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or other such factors.
The Program promotes systems of monitoring and reporting hate crimes and incidents, effective legal frameworks for the prosecution of hate crimes, and the role of specialized anti-discrimination bodies and hate crimes units in combating discrimination and the threat of bias crimes. To raise public awareness and influence policy and practice, the program develops and distributes web-based and other information and analysis, works in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations throughout Europe and North America, and advocates directly with the governments concerned and through inter-governmental organizations like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Human Rights First seeks a Program Assistant for its Fighting Discrimination Program. She or he will report to the Director of the Program and will provide comprehensive support for the Program, including advocacy, constituency building, research and the execution of program activities.
Primary responsibilities will include:
Administrative
- Managing the infrastructure of the program. Duties include, but are not limited to:
1. Coordinating development of e-advocacy capacity and strategically expanding the program’s outreach to new constituencies;
2. Maintaining and developing the program’s database and distribution lists;
3. Monitoring and coordinating the update of the Fighting Discrimination web pages to ensure that they are accurate, current, and useful;
4. Organizing and maintaining the program’s paper and electronic files and managing general correspondence;
5. Arranging meetings, making travel arrangements, and tracking travel and other expenditures; and
6. Providing administrative support for the Program Director and other administrative tasks, as needed, in support of Fighting Discrimination staff, volunteers, and consultants.
- Providing Front Desk relief. For a minimum of 1.5 hours per week, greeting visitors to Human Rights First and operating a multi-line switchboard, fielding both external and internal calls. Receipt and routing of packages, faxes, and mail while projecting a friendly, courteous, and efficient image.
Programmatic
- Advocacy support. Monitoring and organizing material from media reports, anti-discrimination list-serves and other private, governmental or intergovernmental sources; Liaising with NGO partners.
- Writing. Drafting public information and advocacy materials on selected themes and countries.
- Assisting with editing copy for the web site & intranet. Providing occasional editorial assistance with documents and reports.
- Research. Providing research assistance for Fighting Discrimination staff.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
- College degree;
- At least 1 year of administrative experience in a fast-paced environment calling for self-motivation, direct involvement in operations, the ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands, work as part of a team and show independent judgment;
- A demonstrated interest in international human rights issues and international relations;
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and research skills.
- Demonstrated project management capability and experience;
- Fluency in English is required and proficiency in French and/or Russian is strongly desirable;
- Advanced-level proficiency and solid, measurable experience in a variety of computer software applications (MS Office XP – especially Internet Explorer, Outlook, MS Word XP. Excel, PowerPoint. CMS, Access);
- Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and communication skills;
- Experience with e-advocacy and data management systems is an advantage.
- Diplomacy and humor will prove invaluable;
ANNUAL SALARY: Competitive, Excellent benefits.
START DATE: March 2008
Reference Code: RW_7BZNJB-53
