Research and Advocacy Officer – New York At Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect is a non-governmental organization working to encourage the international community to uphold the norm of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) populations from mass atrocity crimes. To advance its mission, the Global Centre conducts in-depth analysis on situations around the world, advocates for the implementation of R2P, assists in building and supporting networks for the prevention of mass atrocities, and hosts events and training courses on atrocity prevention and a variety of cross-cutting issue areas. The Global Centre has offices in New York and Geneva.

The Research and Advocacy Officer will provide high quality research and analysis on country situations where populations are experiencing, or are at risk of, mass atrocity crimes and identify advocacy opportunities with the UN and its member states on those situations. The individual in this role will also conduct advocacy with UN policy makers and decision makers (including UN Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council members, as well as the UN Secretariat, UN agencies, civil society and other relevant stakeholders) to advance the Global Centre’s objectives. The Research and Advocacy Officer will also contribute and assist with the implementation of the Global Centre’s program of work, including organizing activities, events and trainings aimed at encouraging UN member states to uphold their Responsibility to Protect.

Duties:

• Research and write high-quality analysis for Global Centre publications, including “Atrocity Alert” and “R2P Monitor.” Provide targeted policy recommendations and opportunities regarding potential mass atrocity situations.
• Provide advice to the Executive Director and other senior members of Global Centre team regarding the Global Centre’s analysis of a particular country situation or situations.
• Identify strategic advocacy opportunities and work with relevant country or situation experts from partner civil society organizations, governments and others within the UN system to directly advocate for the protection of populations at risk of atrocity crimes.
• Assist senior members of Global Centre teams with advocacy priorities related to the normative advancement of R2P and thematic areas relevant to the prevention of atrocities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, such as the diplomatic and human rights communities, as well as victims and survivor groups, including through participating, as needed, in relevant working groups with partner organizations and networks.
• Assist in the organization of the Global Centre’s trainings, workshops and informational and advocacy meetings.
• Assist with writing grant proposals, the administration and planning of major meetings and events, and other general duties allocated by the Executive Director in support of the mission and goals of the Global Centre.

Skills/Qualifications:

• A relevant higher degree in a field connected to the work of the Global Centre, including political science, international relations, international law, human rights, etc.
• Highly developed research and writing skills. Experience in country research or human rights monitoring is a plus.
• In depth-understanding of human rights, atrocity prevention and the Responsibility to Protect is desired. Extensive knowledge of international relations and the UN system is a plus.
• 2-3 years of experience in implementing advocacy strategies targeted at the UN or other key decision makers.
• Experience in administrative and logistic tasks such as event coordination and planning or project proposal development and reporting.
• Comfortable working and liaising with a diverse group of individuals from around the world. Must be able to manage relationships in a cross-cultural professional environment and represent the organization with senior level diplomats and other policy makers.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating with team members in multiple offices. Ability to work within the constraints of tight deadlines.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and shared workspaces such as GoogleDocs and Box.
• Proficiency in English required, but additional language proficiencies are desired, particularly another official UN language (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese).

Diversity and inclusion: The Global Centre is committed to having an inclusive, respectful and responsive organizational culture, where contributions are valued and where work arrangements are flexible, and through investment in the development of employees and networks. We define “diversity” as all the unique characteristics that make up each of us: personalities, lifestyles, thought processes, work experiences, ethnicity, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic origin, national origin, disability or other differences. The Global Centre is also fully committed to respecting diversity and inclusion in the work with partner organizations, including civil society organizations and human rights defenders.

About the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect: The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect seeks to transform the principle of the Responsibility to Protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity into a practical guide for action in the face of mass atrocities. The Global Centre was founded by a number of supportive governments, leading figures from the human rights community, as well as by International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam International, Refugees International, and WFM-Institute for Global Policy. The Global Centre is now internationally recognized as the leading research and advocacy organization working on R2P and the prevention of mass atrocity crimes at the UN and beyond.

The Global Centre engages in advocacy around specific crises, conducts research designed to further understanding of R2P, recommends strategies to help states build capacity, and works closely with NGOs, governments and regional bodies which are seeking to operationalize the Responsibility to Protect. The Global Centre acts as the Secretariat for the Group of Friends of R2P, the Global Network of R2P Focal Points, the International Coalition for R2P, and the NGO Working Group on the Security Council.

Availability: The position will be based in the Global Centre’s New York office but may involve some travel. Applicants for this position should be based in or willing to relocate to the New York metropolitan area or its vicinity.