The Center for Reproductive Rights (the Center) is the premier global legal organization dedicated to advancing women’s reproductive health, self-determination, and dignity.  Its mission is straightforward and ambitious: to advance reproductive health and rights as fundamental human rights that all governments around the world are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill.  Headquartered in New York City, the Center has regional offices in Bogota, Geneva, Kathmandu, Nairobi, and Washington, DC and a staff of more than 130 diverse professionals.  Its annual operating budget is approximately $23 million, the result of an extraordinary growth trajectory; the Center is now poised for a new phase of significant expansion through its next Strategic Plan.

The Center’s game-changing litigation and advocacy work, combined with its unparalleled expertise in constitutional, comparative, and international human rights law, have transformed how reproductive rights are understood by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide. It has played a key role in securing landmark legal victories in the U.S., Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe on issues including access to life-saving obstetrics care, contraception, safe abortion services, and comprehensive sexuality information, as well as the prevention of forced sterilization and child marriage.  It has brought groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies, led the development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights, and has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 55 countries.

The Center seeks a Global Advocacy Adviser to support the work of the Global Advocacy team in the Global Legal Program and will report to the Director of Global Advocacy. The Global Advocacy Adviser will conceptualize and implement robust advocacy strategies to advance reproductive rights through UN bodies and human rights mechanisms in Geneva. Working under the supervision of the Director for Global Advocacy and in collaboration with program staff based in Geneva, New York, and across the globe, the Global Advocacy Adviser will advance advocacy initiatives to strengthen international human rights norms, draw greater attention to the status of women’s reproductive rights globally, and leverage UN mechanisms to push for law and policy reform globally.

The position will be based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Responsibilities:

The Global Advocacy Adviser’s primary job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support the Director of Global Advocacy with the implementation of the Center’s new Strategic Plan;
• Monitor events, developments and initiatives within the UN Human Rights Mechanisms (in particular the Treaty Monitoring Bodies and Special Procedures) and UN agencies, and identify upcoming advocacy opportunities and legal developments in Geneva;
• Identify strategic entry points for advocacy initiatives around the development of international human rights law on reproductive rights, and together with GA Director, set priorities, plan and execute advocacy strategies with UN human rights bodies and other relevant mechanisms in Geneva;
• Draft legal submissions and advocate on behalf of the Center’s input to UN agency reports, Treaty Monitoring Body General Comments and other technical documents as needed;
• Engage with Treaty Monitoring Body members, UN agency staff, and relevant missions to advocate for inclusion of reproductive rights within initiatives at the international level;
• Build and deepen contacts with key stakeholders at the UN in Geneva, including Treaty Monitoring Body members, Special Procedure mandate holders, and UN, permanent missions and NGO staff, and institutionalize these contacts;
• Promote collaboration on reproductive rights and related issues through outreach and relationship-building with NGOs in Geneva order to create greater awareness and stimulate positive collective action;
• Oversee the planning and implementation of events in Geneva hosted by the Center, in particular briefings for Treaty Monitoring Bodies and Special Procedures, as well as others as needed;
• Support the development of communications, materials, and updates of GA activities for press releases, social media and e-mail listservs;
• Draft and review Center publications on key and emerging reproductive rights issues;
• Conduct research and integrate information received from pro bono services on global legal developments related to reproductive rights;
• Liaise and collaborate constructively with other regions and departments in the Center as needed, including Communications, Development, US Legal and Advocacy Programs, and Pro Bono Services;
• Represent the Center at meetings and events in Geneva and elsewhere as needed;
• Collaborate closely with the other Global Advocacy Advisers and Fellows;
• Report regularly and effectively to the Director of Global Advocacy and assist with the supervision of fellows, interns, volunteers and pro bono lawyers, as needed;
• International travel is required.

Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to the Center’s mission, purpose, and values.
• Knowledge of and documented commitment to international human rights, women’s rights and UN human rights system. Experience in reproductive rights work is a plus.
• Significant experience working with international and/or regional human rights mechanisms, such as through international litigation and other legal submissions. Experience designing and/or implementing strategies to strengthen human rights norm development preferred.
• Advocacy experience and relationships relevant to advocacy on human rights in Geneva or in regional human rights mechanisms, including as part of NGO coalitions.
• Exceptional legal writing, editing, research, oral advocacy and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in project management and strategic planning.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required, Spanish or French language ability preferred.
• Self-motivated, strong work ethic and attention to detail.
• Have the ability to organize and drive projects to a timely completion.
• Must be outstanding in analytical, problem-solving, and creative thinking abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively, to multi-task, and to work under pressure.
• Degree in law (Juris Doctor or LLM) required, preferably with a focus in human rights.
• Minimum 5 years related professional experience.

Compensation: The Center offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits program.

How to Apply: Please click on the link below to apply.  A cover letter, resume, legal writing sample, and contact information for three references must be included in your application in order to be considered for this position.  Please include these application materials as attachments.

https://reproductiverights.applicantpro.com/jobs/431538-30518.html

Deadline for applications: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.