Habre Project Coordinator HRW - Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Project Coordinator to work on the International Campaign for the Fair Trial of Hissène Habré, the former President of Chad exiled in Senegal. The position will report to HRW’s Counsel and work in consultation with the Campaign’s external Coordinator.

Overview:
HRW has been working for 12 years with Hissène Habré’s victims to bring him to trial. In July 2006, at the request of the African Union, the President of Senegal agreed to prosecute Mr. Habré. An international donors meeting in November 2010 provided financing for the trial.

Please visit http://www.hrw.org/en/habre-case (English), http://www.hrw.org/fr/habre-case (French) for more information.

A video summary of the case is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IpDevsFRvM (English) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OeM8SzKlrA (French).

Responsibilities:

• Contributing to the strategic vision of the Habré case by assisting in planning and executing political, legal and media strategies in close collaboration with HRW’s partners in the field;
• Contributing to the factual and legal case through research and exchanges with international lawyers;
• Fostering and maintaining contacts with government and international officials;
• Traveling to Chad and Senegal as needed;
• Assisting the Habré victims’ association with campaigns and fundraising;
• Monitoring the political situation in Chad and Senegal and gathering, selecting, and analyzing information on the views and perception of the Habré case;
• Helping build international awareness around the case to generate political support;
• Drafting and editing advocacy documents (briefing papers, letters, press releases, speeches, Op-Eds) in both French and English under the supervision of HRW’s Counsel; and
• Carrying out any other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education:
A degree in international relations, law, public policy, journalism, or the social sciences is required.

Experience:
Experience working in Africa and/or on human rights litigation.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of human rights issues in Africa and experience working in or on the region are important assets.
• Ability to work in confidence and harmony with diverse partners, especially victims and human rights groups in Chad and Senegal.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English are essential.
• Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with external partners.
• Ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications.

Salary and Benefits:
Human Rights Watch offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, an outstanding retirement savings plan and twenty-five (25) days prorated vacation per year

Contact:
Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, salary requirements, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to habre@hrw.org. Please use “Project Coordinator Ref LP-11-1051-F” as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.