The Fighting Discrimination Program combats discrimination by reversing the tide of antisemitic, racist, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, homophobic and other bias motivated violence, primarily in Europe, the Russian Federation and North America. The program seeks to end impunity for such
violent hate crimes and to protect victims of violence generated by prejudice and hatred founded upon a person's race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or other such factors. 

The Program advocates effective government strategies to combat violent hate crimes, as well as multilateral, bilateral and domestic efforts to encourage and support such strategies. To raise public awareness and influence policy and practice, the Program develops and distributes web-based and other information and analysis, works in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations throughout Europe and North America, and advocates directly with the governments concerned, including the U.S. government, and through inter-governmental organizations like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe, as well as the institutions of the European Union. The Program works to strengthen official systems of monitoring and  reporting on hate crimes and incidents, enforcement of effective legal frameworks for the prosecution of hate crimes, training for police and prosecutors, the activities of specialized anti-discrimination bodies
and hate crimes units in combating discrimination and the threat of bias crimes, and cooperation between and among government authorities, community groups, human rights advocates and victims.

Human Rights First seeks a Pennoyer Fellow for its Fighting Discrimination Program. She or he will report to the Director of the Program and play a lead role in formulating program objectives;
developing and implementing advocacy strategies; fostering relationships with NGOs, governments, and inter-governmental organizations; preparing written materials analyzing conditions and policy and providing specific recommendations; and executing program activities. The Pennoyer Fellow
position is a grant-dependent position with funding guaranteed for the first 2 years.

Primary responsibilities will include:

* Contribute to the formulation of program objectives and outcomes to achieve those objectives, as well as the execution of program activities;

* Develop and implement advocacy strategies, including targeted direct advocacy and public awareness projects using the media and the internet;

* Formulate policy recommendations for governments and inter-governmental organizations to strengthen efforts to combat violent hate crimes, including efforts to monitor and report on incidents,
develop and implement legislation, train police and prosecutors, enhance cooperation between public authorities and civil society, develop international standards and multilateral and bilateral commitments, provide technical and other support at the bilateral and multilateral levels, and to build capacity of civil society groups;

* Monitor and document violent hate crimes incidents and other forms of discrimination in Europe, The Russian Federation and North America; analyze the policies and specific responses of governments, including legal and policy research and in country visits;

* Prepare reports and other written documentation and advocacy materials, including web-based materials; 

* Foster relationships with experts and representatives of nongovernmental organizations at the national, European and international levels in an effort to implement common advocacy strategies to achieve the desired program outcomes;

* Develop and maintain contacts with government officials and representatives of intergovernmental organizations, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of
Europe, the European Union, and the United Nations, to advance program objectives and outcomes;

* Speak publicly on behalf of the Program.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

* Graduate degree in law, international affairs, public policy or related field, or appropriate experience in a relevant professional field that may substitute for a higher degree.

* At least 3 years of relevant experience in the areas of law, international affairs, public policy and/or human rights advocacy;

* Excellent English-language written and oral communications skills;

* In-depth knowledge of international human rights standards and mechanisms of their promotion, protection, and enforcement at the regional and international levels, in particular the institutions of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the European Union;   

* Experience developing policy recommendations and advocating change in official policy and practice to promote and protect human rights; such experience with regard to European governments and institutions is highly desireable;

* Ability to think creatively and to work collaboratively and effectively in a variety of governmental, intergovernmental and nongovernmental settings, and to achieve a sympathetic rapport with local human rights advocates and hate crime victims;

* Willingness to travel;

* Fluency in French and/or another European language is an advantage;

* Familiarity with law enforcement, criminal prosecution, human rights advocacy, community relations and other tactics to combat bias motivated violence is helpful.

ANNUAL SALARY:  Competitive, Excellent benefits.

START DATE:  October 2008         



SUBMISSIONS (Via E-mail):
- Cover letter & Resume (please DO NOT send your resume as "resume.doc" we are unable to open those documents)
- Names and contact details for three (3) references

TO:

HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST
ATTN: HR- Fighting Discrimination Program Assistant
E-MAIL: HumanResources@HumanRightsFirst.org

All applicants will be notified of our receipt of application; only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews.