Director of the Law and Security Program

New York Office

About Human Rights First’s Law and Security Program

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.
 
HRF’s Law and Security program was established to address the human rights abuses that flowed from the U.S. government’s response to the 9/11 attacks in the United States. The program’s goals are twofold: to address human rights harms precipitated by U.S. government counterterrorism and national security efforts, and to work with the U.S. national security community to establish a rights-respecting approach to addressing national security threats. Our work and reputation are defined by rigorous original research and reporting, strategic advocacy in all three branches of government, and a commitment to communicating sophisticated and pragmatic legal and policy analysis to high-level decision makers and the general public alike. 

The Director’s Role

Primary responsibilities will include:

Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Lead and direct HRF’s Law and Security program activities, staffing, and operations;


• Set priorities for the program based on a creative analysis of needs and opportunities, staff and HRF leadership input, and HRF’s strategic plan;


• Monitor and identify new trends and developments in topics currently at the core of  program concerns, including in particular interrogation and detention operations, as well as in emerging issues at the intersection of law and security.

• Define and develop Law and Security program initiatives, and in consultation with the Communications and Public Programs departments, and the Washington, D.C. office, set strategies and goals, and determine the contributions needed by other parts of HRF;


• Cultivate and manage strategic relationships, coalitions, and partnerships to maximize the scope and efficacy of program efforts, including regular outreach to military, government, press, international bodies, co-counsel, law firms, law school clinics, legal academics, and expert consultants;


• Develop an annual plan for the program, and work plans for its staff, ensuring that program activities are result-oriented and advance HRF’s overall goals, and set clear program performance objectives linked to program and annual plans.

• Make significant and regular substantive contributions to the fields of human rights, U.S. law and security, and counterterrorism policy and practice, through research and analysis, writing popular and scholarly articles, and speaking to a variety of professional and popular audiences;


• Serve as a key public spokesperson for HRF on issues related to U.S. national security and human rights;


• Serve as an advocate for HRF and Law and Security program priorities with all branches of the federal government, international bodies, the media, and professional audiences;


• Work with staff to produce ground-breaking field and investigative reports that generate media and policymaker attention.

• Recruit and manage highly skilled professionals; define and oversee the full scope of program work; delegate tasks and assignments; foster teamwork, collaboration, and innovation; inspire excellent performance;


• Mentor and develop staff by setting clear expectations and work standards; provide needed information, resources, and tools for skill development; and actively work with staff to review and revise research, writing, and advocacy projects;


• Develop the annual Law and Security program budget, track financial performance, and adjust spending as necessary;


• Ensure that the Law and Security program structure and staffing are aligned with HRF goals, strategies and expectations;


• Serve as an active member of the HRF senior management team;


• Work closely with HRF’s Development department to support fund raising efforts through grant writing and editing, and outreach to key donors and foundations to ensure long term sustainability of HRF law and security activities.

• Law degree (J.D.);


• Experience in civil or criminal law practice; knowledge of U.S. criminal and constitutional law, and of international law and its enforcement mechanisms; demonstrated excellence in legal analysis and writing;


• Knowledge and experience in U.S. Government decision making and policy development; direct exposure to the workings of one or more branches of the federal government; sound policy judgment;


• Experience in human rights law, national security, and counterterrorism, and familiarity with the legal and political developments relevant to the human rights impact of U.S. national security policy and practices;


• Seasoned and successful leadership and management of a team of highly skilled professionals – setting department direction, organizing and delegating work;


• Excellent written and spoken communications; demonstrated ability to translate highly technical material for a variety of audiences, including policymakers and the media, and effectively editing the work of others;


• Proven ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and to deliver high quality results; to work successfully across organization lines and with a diverse team of colleagues; to work in a variety of settings (legal, academic, advocacy, governmental, the media).

• Experience in making or influencing government policies and practices in the areas of human rights, national security, and counterterrorism;


• Judicial clerkship, law review, or comparably significant experience;


• Knowledge of international humanitarian law;


• Competence in at least one foreign language;


• Significant international travel and/or work abroad.

ANNUAL SALARY: Competitive, Excellent benefits.

START DATE: THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE HIRE

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:  March 29, 2007; applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

SUBMISSIONS (E-mail Preferred):

1. Cover letter 
2. Resume (Please DO NOT Name your word documents “resume.doc” or “coverletter.doc”. Give your attachments a specific name such as “yourname.doc” or “yournameresume2.doc”).
3. Legal and popular writing samples (at least a total of three (3); include at least one unedited sample)
4. Names and contact details for three (3) references

ATTN:
          HR- Director,
             Law and Security Program
             Ref.HRF

E-MAIL:   HumanResources@HumanRightsFirst.org

All applicants will be notified of our receipt of application; only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

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