In partnership with communities, NESRI works to build a broad movement
for economic & social rights, including health, housing, education
and work with dignity. Based on the principle that fundamental human
needs create human rights obligations on the part of government and the
private sector, NESRI advocates for public policies that guarantee the
universal and equitable fulfillment of these rights in the United
States.
NESRI believes that social movements led by those directly impacted are
the best route towards sustainable and progressive social change. NESRI
participates in all facets of local, national and international
advocacy in deep partnership with communities most impacted by
violations of human rights in the United States. Each of NESRI’s
programs supports and shapes campaigns in partnership with grassroots
organizations through providing: (1) analysis, research and
documentation, (2) advocacy support, (3) coalition and network building,
(4) communications, (5) transnational links, and (6) training.
NESRI’s Human Right to Work with Dignity Program provides support to
community and workers’ organizations advocating for governmental and
corporate policies and practices that ensure fulfilling and dignified
work for all under safe and healthy conditions and fair wages that
support a decent living. NESRI facilitates the use of human rights
language and advocacy strategies in order to promote an approach to
workers’ rights that is universal and addresses the rights of workers
excluded from the protection of current labor law and demands
accountability for human rights abuses from all employers. A cornerstone
of this human rights approach is the participatory model – in which
workers identify injustices and shape the strategies by which to demand
and achieve their rights.
The Work with Dignity Program works in partnership with the Coalition
of Immokalee Workers (CIW) in support of their Campaign for Fair Food
and with United Workers of Baltimore in support of their Fair
Development Campaign. Both of these campaigns aim to empower workers
through leadership development and collective analysis and action, while
simultaneously working to create new sustainable structures that embody
a more just power balance between employers and workers and increase
corporate transparency and accountability, either through private
agreements or in new public policy. The Work with Dignity Program’s
“Rethinking Workers’ Compensation” project uses a human rights approach
to address the systemic abuses within workers’ compensation systems, and
to advocate for systems that meet the needs of injured/ill workers and
protect and advance their basic human rights.
Position Description:
NESRI has an upcoming opening for the Director of its Human Right to
Work with Dignity Program. The position is an opportunity for an
innovative and committed individual with experience in social movement
building and participatory advocacy models to develop and oversee the
Program. This is a full-time salaried position to begin July 1st, 2012.
The Director will supervise and work collaboratively with a full-time
program associate, who will be active in all areas of the Program’s
work.
Responsibilities:
- Develop and successfully execute a program strategy consistent with NESRI’s theory of change and in collaboration with other NESRI staff
- Oversee and implement all Work with Dignity Program operations and ensure overall program quality, including by supporting the program associate, interns, and volunteers in planning, implementing, and evaluating program activities
- Oversee and implement the creation of tools, including best practices, and systems to facilitate effective and participatory campaigns, trainings, and other initiatives grounded in human rights principles
- Collaborate with NESRI partners and allies in support of their local campaigns and goals
- Create, manage, deepen and expand relationships with partners and allies
- Research, write, and document in support of the Program
- Interface with federal, state and local government officials, as well as the international system in advocacy efforts
- Collaborate with communications staff to create and implement effective media strategies for the Program, collaborate with development staff in fundraising, and collaborate with other NESRI staff on cross-cutting human rights issues
Qualifications:
- 5+ years professional experience
- Demonstrated commitment to, passion for, and familiarity with social justice and human rights work, including grassroots organizing
- Demonstrated interest in, and preferably experience with, advocacy and organizing for workers’ rights
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement cutting-edge policy campaigns
- Experience forming, supporting, managing and facilitating a team, and working closely with a wide range of constituents
- Experience working in coalitions of diverse communities
- Experience supporting participatory organizing models
- Strong interest in working with community leaders; particular experience in managing highly engaged volunteers is a plus
- Law or Graduate degree in a related field is preferred, but this qualification may be met by significant relevant experience in field
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:
- Ability to work nationally and locally and to bridge national and local efforts
- Ability to set priorities and undertake a wide range of responsibilities
- Strong networking and coalition-building skills
- Ability to work collaboratively
- Advanced interpersonal and communication skills
- Advanced research, writing and editing skills
- Familiarity with human rights and other relevant social justice frameworks
- Ability to develop rights-based policy analysis and advocacy
- Ability to develop community-oriented strategies and materials
- Ability to develop and implement communication and media relations plans
- Knowledge of Spanish helpful, but not required
NESRI values a diverse workplace and encourages applicants with
non-traditional experiences and from historically underrepresented
groups to apply.
Salary & Benefits:
The salary for this position is $60,000 per year. NESRI’s benefits
package includes: basic health insurance for individuals and families,
disability and life insurance, Simple IRA, generous caretaker leave
& childcare stipend, and 20 days paid vacation.
To Apply:
Please email a resume, a one-page cover letter listing three
professional references, and a short writing sample (max. 8 pages) to
Erin Keskeny at erin[at]nesri.org. Applications will begin being
reviewed immediately with first interviews to be scheduled in June.
Please, no phone calls.
Moreinfo:
http://www.nesri.org/about/jobs-and-internships/human-right-to-work-with-dignity-program-director
