Bertha Justice Institute Associate Program Director

Apply by date: October 24, 2014

Description: 

The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) is a non-profit legal and educational organization dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Founded in 1966 by attorneys who represented civil rights movements in the South, CCR is committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.

CCR seeks a full-time Associate Program Director to be responsible for designing and implementing curriculum and programming related to its newly-created Bertha Justice Institute (BJI), made possible by the generous funding of the Bertha Foundation. The Associate Program Director must be extremely organized and detail-oriented, able to efficiently manage multiple tasks and priorities, work well in a team, and demonstrate a commitment to human rights/social justice work.

Since 1987, CCR has trained the next generation of “people’s lawyers” through a variety of internships and fellowships, including its renowned Ella Baker Summer Internship Program. In 2012, CCR launched the Bertha Justice Institute to expand the legacy of the Ella Baker Program and to deepen the Center’s work in training the next generation of movement lawyers. This position offers a talented individual the opportunity to develop, alongside the BJI Director, domestic and international programming for law students and lawyers including writing curriculums, designing national and regional trainings/conferences, coordinating a national mentorship/coaching program, organizing Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses, and facilitating alumni convenings amongst other programs.

The BJI currently has five components: (1) the Ella Baker Summer Internship Program (Ella Baker Program) with sites in New York City, New Orleans, Miami and Haiti; (2) two annual training institutes, open to CCR interns, alumni and non-CCR law students and attorneys, which provides training in movement lawyering and advocacy, and skills training specific to the civil liberties, civil rights and human rights issues of the day; (3) a series of CLE courses to be held around the country; (4) a vibrant and growing Bertha Justice Institute Alumni program; and (5) two-year recurring Bertha legal fellowships. In addition to curriculum and program development, the BJI Associate Program Director will also work with the BJI Director and Program Associate to oversee logistics of several BJI events, including CLEs, workshops and conferences. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop, design, and implement all BJI programs with the BJI Director including workshops, conferences, CLEs, trainings, mentorship programs and leadership programs;

• Work with the BJI Director to develop content for all BJI programs and oversee all implementation of programs including managing logistics, speakers, finances and materials;

• Work with the BJI Director to provide networking and communications opportunities for interns and fellows at each site in order to foster meaningful relationships that will support students’ growth as social justice advocates after they leave the CCR program;

• Develop curriculum and trainings for Ella Baker Program and intern programs of CCR; and assist BJI Director and legal staff with Ella Baker Program and intern trainings

• Compile, write and edit training curriculums for BJI trainings and workshops;

• Oversee the creation, design and distribution of BJI training materials;

• Create and manage roster of guest faculty, trainers, and speakers for the BJI;

• Supervise promotion of events and trainings through emails, social media outreach, website postings, etc.;

• Manage on-site event production;

• Prepare budgets, submit and track event finances including review of invoices for submission to BJI Director;

• Coordinate with other members of the Legal Department and other CCR departments, as directed, to execute successful events, trainings and CLEs 

Qualifications: 

• J.D. degree strongly preferred;

• Related experience in or working knowledge of U.S. social justice legal organizations, progressive non-profits, and/or law schools;

• Experience with designing, managing and implementing trainings and workshops;

• At least 4 years related experience with a progressive legal organization or other progressive non-profit;

• A belief in the mission of the Center for Constitutional Rights and comfort working in a progressive environment;

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, time management and organizational skills;

• Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines while maintaining a positive and professional attitude;

• Excellent organizational skills relating to management, storage and retrieval of information and documents, and attention to detail;

• Proficiency with internet applications, word processing and spreadsheet programs and experience with databases required;

• Willingness to travel;

• Ability to work well as member of a team;

• Strong sense of integrity and a sense of humor;

• Demonstrated commitment to human rights/social justice work. 

Compensation: 

Salary is commensurate with experience and subject to union collective bargaining agreement. Excellent benefits. 

Contact: 

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, a list of three (3) references as one PDF document here. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and strong consideration will be given to early applicants. CCR is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and actively recruits women, people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBT and gender non-conforming people.

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