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Coordinator, Middle East and Central Asia Program

Deadline:  April 1, 2002

The Center for Economic and Social Rights is a New York-based NGO that promotes economic and social justice through the use of human rights tools and strategies, both in the United States and abroad.

Our new Middle East and Central Asia (MECA) program integrates ongoing project activities in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine. Unifying themes of this work include:

• Victimization of vulnerable populations due to economic impact of war, sanctions, and other coercive policies;
• US targeting of these countries (and by extension their populations) in the "war against terrorism" without regard for the human rights consequences;
• Failure of both local authorities and the international community, including UN, to prioritize human rights concerns of affected communities;
• CESR commitment to establish links to local groups, expose real conditions on the ground, speak out against unjust US, international and local policies, and educate policy-makers and the general public about the value of human rights as the practical basis for alternative policies.

Responsibilities

The coordinator will have primary responsibility for building the program, supervising projects and campaigns, and working with CESR staff and interns as well as partner organizations, both local and international. The coordinator will report to the Executive Director. Specific responsibilities include:

• Preparing a strategic plan to build the program. This includes designing and implementing a fundraising plan, hiring new program staff given available funding, expanding project activities, increasing solidarity with international and local activists, reaching new constituencies in the US and the region, and ultimately impacting policies in the US, the UN and the region.
• Coordinating all elements of projects and campaigns. This includes developing partnerships and coalitions with local and international groups, organizing research and fact-finding missions with a wide range of progressive social scientists, supervising advocacy and media outreach, and publications and education. This
• Developing support networks of interns, advisors, and activists. This includes organizing volunteers to help with project activities, linking networks of experts and allies to guide our work and support education and advocacy efforts, and conducting internet-based outreach to amplify our message and findings to a broad audience.
• Representing the program at public and media events. This includes organizing our own events with partners, speaking in a variety of public settings, and conducting media outreach and appearances.
• Preparing budgets, financial reports, and fundraising reports and proposals.

Qualifications

Applicants should have relevant activist and professional experience in the region, with background in human rights and/or development, and demonstrated commitment to social justice. Applicants should also be comfortable managing complex research and advocacy projects, coordinating a team with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, working closely with both activists and scientists, speaking publicly on politically controversial issues, and managing multiple deadlines. Specific qualifications include:

• Ten years professional experience, and five years specifically on MECA regional issues.
• Field work experience managing complex projects in the region.
• Academic training in relevant discipline, preferably international law and/or development economics.
• Excellent communications skills, including research, writing, and editing, and experience in public speaking and advocacy.
• Experience writing human rights and/or development reports about the region.
• Excellent management skills, including experience supervising staff on research and advocacy projects.
• Well-organized and reliable, able to meet deadlines and work under pressure of multiple projects.
• Fluency in English and at least one regional language, preferably Arabic.

Salary

Commensurate with experience; excellent benefits.

Application Process

Every application must include concise responses to the following questions, either in the cover letter or by separate attachment:

• How does the current "war on terrorism" affect the MECA program both strategically and concretely in terms of potential project activities?
• Which constituencies are most important for influencing US and regional policies on these issues and why? How should the program connect with them?
• What experience and expertise do you bring that makes you a strong candidate for this position?

Please submit responses, cover letter, resume, writing sample, and addresses for three references via mail or e-mail to:

MECA Program Coordinator Search Committee
Center for Economic and Social Rights
162 Montague Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Fax: (718) 237-9147
E-mail: rights@cesr.org (Reference: DevNetJobs.org)