Career Development Office Blog

The US Human Rights Network (USHRN) seeks a Campaign Director to coordinate the Human Rights at Home (HuRAH) Campaign. HuRAH is a collaborative effort to institutionalize concrete accountability mechanisms to help ensure that human rights principles, standards and obligations are considered and implemented in all areas of domestic policy and practice in the United States. HuRAH is governed by a Steering Committee chaired by the US Human Rights Network, and comprised of the following organizations: US Human Rights Network, American Civil Liberties Union, Rights Working Group, Human Rights Institute at Columbia Law School, National Economic and Social Rights Initiative, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and the Border Network for Human Rights. HuRAH is a collaborative initiative of the US Human Rights Network (USHRN). The US Human Rights Network (USHRN) is a national network of organizations and individuals working to strengthen a human rights movement and culture within the United States led by the people most directly impacted by human rights violations. USHRN works to secure dignity and justice for all.

HuRAH’s goals over the next few years include: promoting the institutionalization, mandate expansion, and effective use of the U.S. Government’s Equality Working Group as a federal focal point for coordination and implementation of US human rights obligations; promoting meaningful coordination between the Equality Working Group, and other federal entities, with state and local officials in implementing human rights obligations; promoting the use of other accountability structures at the federal, state, and local levels for human rights compliance; expanding grassroots outreach and engagement in informing and advancing the accountability mechanisms identified by the Campaign; and advancing an issue area campaign focused on promoting human rights accountability in immigration enforcement. HuRAH’s structure includes seven entities: two HuRAH specific subcommittees – State and Local Coordination  and Grassroots Engagement; four USHRN taskforces for each of the ratified treaties including ICERD, ICCPR, CAT and the UPR; and a Steering Committee.

The HuRAH Campaign Director will work in consultation with the Steering Committee to provide leadership and overall direction for the Campaign; develop and implement an integrated strategic vision; oversee implementation of work; and ensure cohesion between the different HuRAH and USHRN entities listed above.  The HuRAH Campaign Director will report to the Executive Director of the US Human Rights Network.  Specifically, the HuRAH Campaign Director will:

• Complete and begin implementation of a new cohesive and integrated Campaign work plan informed by all the stakeholders including all HuRAH entity co-chairs, and reflective of the new Campaign direction, within the first six months of employment;
• Work with the Steering Committee Chair to convene and facilitate Steering Committee meetings, oversee coordination with other HuRAH entity meetings, and plan and facilitate strategy and/or other meetings for the Campaign as necessary;
• Engage in regular communication with chairs of HuRAH and USHRN entities, providing guidance on strategy and facilitating collaboration among the different entities;
• Oversee process to expand Steering Committee with representatives from the HuRAH subcommittees, the USHRN Taskforces, and other members as appropriate;
• Serves as Campaign spokesperson;
• Assist with the development of a communications strategy to increase the Campaign’s external and media presence including finalizing the Campaign’s website;
• Assist with the development, and begin implementation, of a fundraising plan;
• Begin development of a membership and partnership structure to strengthen partnerships and expand membership of the Campaign;
• Develop relationships, serve as point person, and lead and/or participate in meetings with public officials and in particular with career level government staff;
• Work with HuRAH entities to ensure regular communication with the Equality Working Group and other government entities, and engage in internal communication and coordination with other subcommittees and USHRN Taskforces;
• Work with Grassroots Engagement subcommittee to maintain focus on expanding and deepening the grassroots engagement in the Campaign, building off the successes of the subcommittee in the past, deepening contacts with individual agencies, and ensuring communication and coordination with other subcommittees;
• Work with State and Local Coordination subcommittee to ensure communication and coordination with other subcommittees;
• Work to ensure communication and cohesion between the work on the issue area campaign, and the other entities of HuRAH and the USHRN Taskforces; and
• Carry out other administrative functions required to effectively coordinate the Campaign.

REQUIREMENTS:

• At least five years of campaign coordination experience, with a track record for successfully working in coalition with multiple organizations;
• Experience conducting advocacy campaigns and engaging grassroots constituencies in advocacy;
• Proven ability to lead coalitions and to reach consensus;
• Experience with domestic human rights advocacy;
• Familiarity with federal lobbying in Congress and the Executive Branch, and negotiating with government representatives;
• Excellent speaking and writing skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and multi-cultural communication skills;
• Solid organizational skills: the ability to work proactively and to multi-task in a fast-paced, demanding environment and under time pressures;
• Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively and independently as well as in a team environment;
• A demonstrated passion for, familiarity with, and commitment to human rights;
• Ability to participate in meetings in DC at short notice;
• A Bachelors level degree. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Familiarity with the international human rights mechanisms. Spanish language skills. Experience with fundraising. Organizing experience.

This is a full-time position and could be located in New York City or Washington, DC.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample via email by October 30, 2013.