ESCR-Net – International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is a collaborative initiative of groups and individuals from around the world working to secure economic and social justice through human rights. ESCR-Net seeks to strengthen the field of all human rights, with a special focus on economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR), and further develop the tools for achieving their promotion, protection and fulfillment. Through ESCR-Net, groups and individuals exchange information, develop a collective voice, amplify their actions, and develop new tools and strategies. By facilitating joint actions, enhancing communications and building solidarity across regions, the Network seeks to build a global movement to make human rights and social justice a reality for all. The member-led collective work of ESCR-Net is guided by core principles of gender balance in leadership and intersectional analysis, centrality of grassroots groups and social movements, and regional diversity.
ESCR-Net is seeking a new part-time staff member (approximately 20 hours per week) to serve as a key part of a program and wider secretariat team providing facilitation and support for ESCR-Net’s thematic working groups and collective advocacy. The candidate will be primarily responsible for supporting thematic work related to the ESCR-Net’s Strategic Litigation Working Group (SLWG), and will report to the SLWG Program Coordinator.
ESCR-Net’s work on strategic litigation seeks to provide a space for organizations, individual advocates, and academics to share resources and information, discuss key issues, and undertake collective efforts to advance effective litigation and enforcement of economic, social, and cultural rights.
For a complete overview of ESCR-Net’s work, please visit our website at www.escr-net.org.
Specific Responsibilities include:
· Conduct research related to the projects developed by the SLWG, such as:
o Research on specific rights and country situations to support litigation of ESCR cases, publications and meetings
o Research on comparative law and practices for litigation and implementation of specific cases
o Research on cases and news articles for the development of the ESCR-Net Caselaw Database and ESCR-Justice
· Draft documents regarding the communication with SLWG members and specific projects, such as:
o Research memos
o News on projects and the work of members for the website, including via a bimonthly newsletter
o Reports and concept notes for new projects
o Fundraising materials
o Case summaries and newsletters for the database
· Support communication with current and new members, including:
o Support for membership outreach related to existing and new projects
o Regular updating of mapping on members’ activities
o Support in keeping an updated website
o Dissemination of news on listservs
o Regular compilation of members’ resources for the web
· Perform necessary administrative and logistical tasks, such as:
o Logistical support for local, regional and international meetings
o Support in the preparation of projects’ budgets, including research on specific meeting costs in different countries, purchasing of tickets, communication with participants in regard to logistical issues, preparation of memos to inform participants of logistics regarding different meetings, preparation of materials for meetings
· Keep informed of key developments in the field of Strategic Litigation and ESCR
· Travel internationally in relationship to Working Group activities
· Engage constructively and consistently with other colleagues, based in multiple locations, and report to the SLWG Program Coordinator
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is someone who has strong knowledge of human rights law and practice in different contexts. The candidate should have strong interpersonal and coordination skills; work well in collaborative processes with diverse organizations; and be eager to learn and engage with a wide range of issues.
Candidates should have the following qualifications (required):
- A law degree, with at least 2 years of relevant experience and in-depth knowledge of human rights law;
· Experience with legal research and writing and/or litigating human rights, particularly ESC rights at the national, regional or international level;
· Excellent communication and facilitation skills to work with a wide range of civil society groups and interests internationally; capacity to creatively and strategically outreach and facilitate collective advocacy with diverse human rights organizations, grassroots groups, advocates and government officials across the world;
- Solid organizational skills, with experience prioritizing competing deadlines;
- Experience planning and implementing collaborative workshops and meetings;
- Ability to quickly grasp new issues through research and in dialogue with members;
- Fluency in oral and written English, with excellent writing skills; and
- Strong working knowledge, both oral and written, of Spanish.
In addition to the qualifications noted above, the following skills and experiences are highly desirable:
- Fluency in French and/or Arabic, including drafting and reviewing documents and oral communication;
- Experience managing online tools for communication and collaboration, including web databases, podcasts/radio/video interviews, data aggregation techniques, real-time online forums, etc.;
- Experience as a trainer or facilitator;
- Experience living or working in multiple regions; and
- Experience engaging with UN and/or other intergovernmental bodies.
Salary and Benefits
ESCR-Net offers competitive compensation, and generous vacation and paid leave. Please note that this is a part-time position (approximately 20 hours a week); however, we envision the possibility for growth in hours and responsibility over time. The main office of ESCR-Net is based in New York City; however, in certain circumstances, we will consider a remote working arrangement.
Start Date
As soon as possible.
How to apply:
Please send a curriculum vitae, a letter of interest and contact information for 3 references to ESCR-Net by email (escr-net@escr-net.org), using “Strategic Litigation Working Group Search” and your initials, as the subject of your email. We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning 11 July 2016. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding during this process.
ESCR-Net is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, persons with disabilities and people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or the conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS Related Conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified persons with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.
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