Northeastern University

About the Opportunity

About the Center for Global Law and Justice

Northeastern University School of Law’s newest Center of Excellence, the Center for Global Law and Justice (the Center), serves as the headquarters for the law school’s efforts to use legal scholarship, advocacy, and educational initiatives to promote global justice. The Center focuses on promoting human rights, humanitarianism, climate justice, fair governance, and democracy. Critical to the Center’s work is interdisciplinary collaboration with scholars, advocates, and institutions in the United States and around the world. The Center values experiential learning and takes seriously the obligation to train the next generation of legal scholars and advocates. The Center’s work is grounded in an appreciation for community leadership and partnership.

About The Hub

The Center is developing an online resource hub (the Hub) to host a comprehensive collection of materials (including news articles, fact sheets, research reports, advocacy toolkits, calendars, and training videos) on international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and related fields. To build the resource hub, the Center will transfer a large collection of materials currently hosted on the International Justice Resource Center site and expand the collection over time. The Hub, a unique resource for the global human rights community, will serve students, scholars, advocates, attorneys, journalists, and the general public.

About the Position

The Center is recruiting for either a Program Manager (PM) or a Legal Program Manager (LPM) to oversee the development of the Hub. This position provides an opportunity to facilitate the understanding and effective use of international human rights law, build relationships with human rights advocates around the world, and support organizations in their vital struggle to protect and promote fundamental freedoms.

The Program Manager/Legal Program Manager will be responsible for the development, administration, and expansion of the Hub. The work includes creating, curating, and updating content for the Hub. In addition, the Program Manager/Legal Program Manager will work closely with the Director of the Center to plan and execute projects, host events, supervise law students, assist in promoting the Center and the Hub to domestic and international audiences, and collaborate with partner organizations to further the Center’s mission. 

The Legal Program Manager will take on additional leadership responsibilities, including spearheading new strategic initiatives for the Hub; managing legal advocacy, litigation support, and training projects; and supporting fundraising efforts.

We are open to applications for both positions and will determine the appropriate position based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience. The ideal candidate will be an attorney with substantial working knowledge of international human rights law and the bodies that enforce it, as well as excellent writing and editing skills.

This position is funded for three years through a gift to the Center and may be extended, at the discretion of the Center, pending available funding. The Center is open to remote or hybrid work arrangements.

Responsibilities:

1. Online Resource Hub: Content Creation and Posting (PM 60% / LPM 50%)

• Develop new content for the Hub, including news articles, fact sheets, research reports, advocacy toolkits, and calendars.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Hub’s WordPress posting protocols and post content to the Hub on a regular basis.
• Supervise law students’ creation of content for the Hub. 

2. Online Resource Hub: Administration (PM 10% / LPM 10%)

• Manage the daily operations of the Hub.
• Develop and implement protocols and guides for administering the Hub and creating/updating content for the Hub.
• Hire law students to assist with the Hub.

3. Online Resource Hub: Communications and Outreach (PM 10% / LPM 10%)

• Design and execute comprehensive communication and outreach plans to promote the Hub to different audiences (students, advocates, scholars, and journalists) in the law school community, in the University community, and in the international human rights law community.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key individuals and organizations and explore collaboration opportunities. 

4. Legal Advocacy Projects, Litigation Projects, and Legal Trainings (PM 20% / LPM 20%):

a. Program Manager (20%)

• Support legal advocacy projects, litigation projects, and legal training projects.
• Supervise law students’ contributions to advocacy projects, litigation projects, and training projects.

b. Legal Program Manager (20%)

• Identify and establish collaborations with organizations for which the Center for Global Law and Justice might productively provide substantive legal advocacy and/or litigation support (e.g., amicus briefs, expert submissions to UN bodies, reports on human rights issues).
• Oversee the creation of substantive legal materials for these partner organizations.
• Identify and develop impactful legal trainings, oversee their execution, and curate related training materials for the Hub.
• Supervise law students’ contributions to advocacy projects, litigation projects, and training projects. 

5. Strategic Planning and Fundraising (LPM only 10%)

• Participate in the development and execution of a strategic plan for the Hub.
• Participate in fundraising activities for the Hub (e.g., identifying potential funding sources, writing grant applications, administering grants).

Qualifications:

Program Manager

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge and skills are typically acquired through the completion of a JD or an advanced degree in international affairs, international relations, or a related field. (A JD is strongly preferred but not required; candidates with relevant degrees will be considered).
• Proficiency in English for written and verbal communication with partners and the public.
• At least one year of relevant work experience in international human rights law or related field.
• Familiarity with international human rights courts and monitoring bodies.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information clearly.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings and conduct presentations.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to problem solve, organize time and priorities, and be attentive to details.
• Ability to work independently and make independent decisions.
• Proficiency in WordPress or a commitment to achieving the necessary working knowledge of WordPress through training.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and a proven ability to work with a diverse group of students, staff, and faculty.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience training and supervising law students in researching and writing projects.
• Experience with developing and executing communications strategies (including social media) for nonprofits. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including SharePoint.

Legal Program Manager

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge and skills are typically acquired through the completion of a JD.
• Proficiency in English for written and verbal communication with partners and the public.
• At least five years of relevant work experience in international human rights law or related field.
• Working knowledge of international human rights courts and monitoring bodies.
• Demonstrated experience with international human rights advocacy and litigation.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information clearly.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings and conduct presentations.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to problem solve, organize time and priorities, and be attentive to details.
• Ability to work independently and make independent decisions.
• Proficiency in WordPress or a commitment to achieving the necessary working knowledge of WordPress through training.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion and a proven ability to work with a diverse group of students, staff, and faculty.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience training and supervising law students in researching and writing projects.
• Experience with developing and executing communications strategies (including social media) for nonprofits. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, including SharePoint.
• Experience in nonprofit strategic planning.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, and grant administration.

Documents to Submit:

In one PDF document, please submit your cover letter, CV/Resume, writing sample, and a list of three references.

Additional Information:

If you have questions, please contact Elizabeth Ennen, Director of the Center for Global Law and Justice, at e.ennen@northeastern.edu.

Position Type

Academic Administration, General Administration

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. 

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. 

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.

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