MENA human rights advocacy fellowship position

The Gender Law and Policy Project (GLPP) is seeking applicants for a one year Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Human Rights Advocacy Fellowship Position working on gender-based violence and LGBT violence and discrimination in the MENA region. The fellow will also work closely with MADRE, an international women’s human rights organization.

Our project works to promote the rights, protection and physical security of marginalized and at-risk populations. We integrate advocacy and capacity building, with documentation and reporting of LGBT and women’s human rights violations in order to bring accountability and redress for these crimes in transitional justice processes. We also aim to increase participation of women within national and international venues charged with upholding human rights and building peace.

MENA human rights advocacy fellowship position

The Fellow will implement a legal and advocacy strategy to equip local activists and first responders with the necessary tools to build systems for preventing, documenting, and demanding accountability for gender-based violence and discrimination against women and LGBT persons. The fellow will monitor human rights crises, including situations of armed conflict, massive civilian displacement and/or large-scale killing. Occasionally the Fellow will be GLPP’s most visible, front-line representative during crisis. Essential tasks include research, writing, press work, and advocacy – all in difficult circumstances with pressing deadlines. The Fellow should also be prepared to work in the field. This position will be located at CUNY Law School in Long Island City, NY. Non-U.S. citizens are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Monitoring, investigating, and documenting human rights developments in the field, and reporting findings quickly and regularly;
• Developing and implementing advocacy strategies for addressing the abuses documented, including by enlisting influential governments and UN bodies;
• Expeditiously writing and editing detailed reports, appeals, memos, press releases, op-eds, articles, government letters, and position papers;
• Drafting and submitting memorandum, reports, and testimony to UN human rights bodies;
• Working in partnership with local and international NGOs, UN agencies, and grassroots groups in developing and implementing a human rights advocacy plan to equip first responders to prevent, document, and demand accountability for SGBV;
• Working extensively with the press to ensure widespread coverage of urgent human rights concerns;
• Coordinating the planning and implementing of human rights advocacy trainings and other convenings. May include travel, when deemed safe, to Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq, Geneva and/or other relevant international destinations.
• Conducting research and analysis on gender-based violence and discrimination as well as related issues in times of conflict; and peace building and women’s civic participation;
• Managing budgets, submitting receipts, tracking expenditures, and drafting budgetary reports;
• Compiling information for periodic programmatic reports to funders and drafting reports;
• Collaborating with the Sorensen Center, IWHR Clinic students at CUNY Law School and MADRE Human Rights Advocacy staff;
• Supervising interns and project consultants;
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to LGBT and women’s human rights;
• Strong understanding of UN human rights mechanisms including treaty bodies;
• Experience working on Middle East North Africa (MENA) region issues, especially in conflict areas such as Iraq;
• Experience in international human rights advocacy;
• Excellent research and writing capabilities;
• Ability to multitask;
• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines;
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and experience managing budgets;
• Must be able to travel to Europe and the MENA region and other possible international destinations.
• J.D., LLM, or Master’s degree in the international field required.
• Fluency in reading, writing and speaking Arabic required.

COMPENSATION. Salary range is $50,000 – $60,000 to commensurate with experience. The position is for one year with possible renewal for a second year.

COMMENCEMENT: The Position is slated to begin this fall. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

To apply, submit a cover letter, CV, and three references

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