Director, Programs, Human Rights Program #78553 At Carter Center

Job Description:

The Program Director is responsible for designing and implementing activities related to the human rights portfolio, through high-level contacts with representatives of governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations, including the United Nations. The Director, in collaboration with the Senior Advisor on Human Rights and Special Representative on Women and Girls (SA/SR) and other responsible Carter Center staff, will be relied upon for in-depth analysis of international issues that impact international and national human rights protection systems in order to guide the Center’s strategic direction and corresponding programs on human rights issues, including issues related to women and gender. The Director, Human Rights Program reports to the Vice President, Peace Programs.

The position will be responsible to strengthen, in consultation with other experts in the international human rights field and in collaboration with peace and health practitioners, the Center’s policy and agenda for the advancement and protection of human rights activities. The Director must maintain a contemporary understanding of the most pressing issues and be able to mobilize actions that are appropriate for immediate, medium, and long-term strategies. Additionally, drawing on the advice of the SA/SR, the Director will be expected to reinforce the Center’s engagement on women’s rights issues.

The Director has the responsibility for managing the day-to-day staffing, operations, budgets, planning group meetings, annual conferences, and related travel and activities associated with the Human Rights Program. Tasks include project development, implementation and management, proposal development, budget planning, and tracking, project promotion, report production, and networking. The Director will liaise and collaborate closely with the SA/SR as well as with the Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation Advisor. The Director will supervise program staff, graduate assistants, interns, and volunteers as needed. This position will report to the Vice, President, Peace Programs. Due to the travel locations, Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) will be required.

• Maintains current knowledge of trends, challenges, and opportunities facing human rights activities, both globally, and in specific country situations.
• Improves the strategy for the Human Rights Program, establishing an appropriate niche for the Center, as well as creating dynamic linkages with other programs at the Center. Develops proposals for policy actions to be considered by inter-governmental organizations and governments that could improve the operating environment for human rights activities.
• Works with the Development office to identify funding sources and build and maintain relationships with granting agencies, corporations, and individuals. Drafts grant proposals and prepare supporting materials, including proposed budgets in coordination with Development and Finance. Manages the budget and expenses related to the Human Rights Program and ensures compliance with all financial regulations.
• Collaborates with the Senior Advisor on Human Rights and Special Representative on Women and Girls and the Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation Advisor. Liaises closely with Peace and Health Directors to ensure human rights are taken into account in program initiatives throughout The Carter Center. Maintains high-level contacts with key actors in positions to influence policies affecting human rights at the national and international levels. Represents TCC at conferences and other meetings on the subject of human rights and other topics as requested as well as plans and implements related meetings, such as senior planning sessions with partners at human rights organizations, public seminars, or panels, as appropriate.
• Engages actively with staff of the Communications Department regarding outreach, communication and publications, and broader efforts to ensure appropriate media coverage.
• Conducts and supervises research relevant to the program activities and authors analytical papers and publishes articles in relevant publications on human rights issues.
• Responsible for overall program staffing and evaluating performance management and team effectiveness. Supervises multiple professional and administrative staff located in headquarters and field offices.
• Responsible for program’s compliance with all organizational policies and procedures. Develops efficient procedures for the implementation of program activities.
• Maintains professional growth and development of self and program staff by identifying educational/training programs, professional organizations, activities, and resources to maintain knowledge of national trends and to promote leading-edge expertise.
• Undertakes international and domestic travel in support of Carter Center activities.
• Performs related responsibilities as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Juris Doctor or Master’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum of ten years of program-related experience in the field of international human rights are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Director must be well accomplished in the field of international human rights.
• The individual must have well-established relationships with high-level representatives of the U.S. and foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, especially the United Nations, and international and local human rights defender non-governmental organizations.
• Proven strong leadership and management skills, including solid program design and strategy development experience, supervision of staff, budget management, as well as solid understanding of program resource needs for effective monitoring and evaluation is essential.
• S/He/They must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills, and familiarity with new communication technologies and social media.
• Fluency in English and one other U.N. language, preferably French as well as extensive international human rights experience in one or more countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, or Latin and South America is preferred.