Center for Reproductive Rights

Job Title: Global Advocacy Adviser

Department: Government & External Relations - Global Advocacy

Center Background: The Center for Reproductive Rights (the Center) is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights around the world. With offices in New York City, New York; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; Geneva, Switzerland; and Washington, D.C., the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 230+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center’s exceptional growth to an operating budget of over $50 million and won the respect of law firms in countries around the world, with an additional $29 million annually of donated legal services, representing the work of countless lawyers from more than 46 countries. 

The Center’s Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they are today. The Center has a track record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. Additionally, the Center has led the development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights and has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting.

The Role: Reporting to the Senior Global Advocacy Adviser, the Global Advocacy Adviser will play an important role in supporting the work of the Global Advocacy team at the UN in New York. Working closely with the Associate Director and Senior Advocacy Adviser, the Global Advocacy Adviser will support the implementation of advocacy strategies to advance sexual and reproductive rights across various UN NY processes, including the Center’s engagement with UN Member States, partner organizations, UN Agencies and other stakeholders, and help position the Center as a key technical expert on SRHR in these spaces. 

This is a 2-year fixed-term role with the possibility of extension.

The role will be based in the Center’s New York office, in a hybrid model of 3 days in office, 2 days working from home. Covid-19 Vaccination is required for all U.S.-based Center employees.

Primary Responsibilities:

Advocacy and Technical Support

• Support the implementation of advocacy strategies to advance the Center’s priorities across multiple processes at the UN NY including the General Assembly, Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Population and Development and the Security Council;
• Support the provision of technical support to and build the capacity of UN Member States and partner organizations to protect and advance SRHR in negotiations of resolutions and outcome documents;
• As requested, monitor events and developments at the UN and report back to the Global Advocacy team to inform advocacy strategies;
• In coordination with Senior Global Advocacy Adviser, build and maintain relationships key stakeholders at UN Headquarters in New York, including UN Agencies, INGO’s and UN Member States representatives, and institutionalize these contacts to position the Center as a key source for technical support;
• Represent the Center at meeting with Member States, coalitions and working groups and other events, as requested; and
• Draft Center publications, submissions, or background notes on key SRHR issues, as requested.

External Relations

• Provide support for the organization of key events at the UN including at UNGA High-Level week, CSW and CPD including through development of concept notes, background materials and supporting logistics;
• In consultation with the Associate Director and Senior Adviser, work with the Programs Division to help identify key opportunities to profile the work of the regions in New York and provide support as needed to develop and implement strategies for engagement;
• Support Senior and Executive staff to engage with key UN Headquarters events through the development of background materials including briefings, speeches, talking points, stakeholder analysis and capacity development sessions, as needed; and
• Support the development of communications, materials, and updates of GA activities for, press releases, social media and e-mail listservs, as requested.

Institutional Alignment

• Prepare internal and external updates and other written analyses of key UN documents including resolutions and outcome documents, key moments or processes;
• Contribute timely and effectively to internal Center processes such as financial reporting, programmitc updates and others as requested;
• Provide other administrative and operational support to help ensure the smooth functioning of the team as needed.

Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to the Center's mission, purpose, and values;
• J.D., LLB or LLM in international human rights or humanitarian law, required;
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience;
• Knowledge of and commitment to international human rights, women’s rights and UN development processes. Experience in SRHR is a plus
• Advocacy experience and relationships relevant to advocacy on SRHR at UN Headquarters in New York, including as part of NGO coalitions.
• Advocacy experience to advance SRHR, strongly preferred;
• Effective public speaking skills and writing skills;
• Outstanding legal/policy analysis skills;
• Excellent organizational, project management and time management skills;
• Experience in working or building coalitions in support of social justice, women’s rights and/or human rights movements, strongly preferred;
• Must be willing to be flexible in role as needed to meet the needs of the team and the organization.
• Experience working in a Global South context, preferred;
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; and
• Fluency in written and spoken English required, Spanish or French language ability preferred.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At the Center, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Develop & Manage Self & Others: Takes ownership of individual growth in order to achieve full potential; recognizes the value of team members and helps them develop their full potential while also achieving set objectives. 
• Collaboration (People First): Works intra- and/or cross-departmentally to support the goals and overarching strategies of the Center and its strategic plan.
• Feedback (Improve & Innovate): Actively engaged in feedback cycles: Gives and requests feedback to and from peers, supervisors and direct reports about work products, behaviors, values, style, and approaches with a view on how this impacts self, other individuals, and teams.
• Accountability: Follow-through on each commitment made to individual contributors, teams and partners and proactively informs others of any delays that occur along the way.

Work Competencies:

• Project Management: Works effectively on project teams in order to achieve long-term project goal and objectives.
• Problem Solve & Make Decisions: Identifies, analyzes and resolves existing and anticipated problems, using common sense to make timely decisions in order to reach the best solutions for the organization.
• Internal/External Focus: Anticipates internal and external partner’s needs; assesses requirements and identifies new solutions that align with overall goals and objectives of the organization.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates with and influences others to gain agreement and commitment to the strategic goals of the organization.

Compensation: This position's salary begins at $125,000, benchmarked by years of experience. This salary is reflective of a position based in [location]. This salary will be subject to a locality adjustment, if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

Length of Role: This is a 2-year fixed-term role with the possibility of extension.

Benefits:

• Health: The Center pays up to 95%* of the premium for a comprehensive health insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility. The Center also offers Dental and Vision coverage. (* % may differ in various countries)
• Flexibility: The Center currently operates in a hybrid model, allowing staff to work 3 days in the office and work 2 days from home
• Well-being: The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout through different programs that enable mental, physical and community well-being. The Center offers generous leave including paid parental leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave. We are also closed the last week of December to allow staff to spend time with their loved ones.
• Growth: You will be working with and learning from some of the top legal and operational minds, all passionate about the mission of advancing reproductive rights around the world. You will also be eligible for a stipend to use towards professional growth.
• Global: You will get a front-row seat to update on the fight for reproductive rights in the global space. You will also have access to Employee Resource Groups to connect to colleagues that share similar interests/backgrounds/views.
• Investment: After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5%* of your annual salary to a 401(k) (* only applicable in US and Kenya) 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role and unsure about whether your past experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Our hiring processes and our work culture offer support and flexibility for staff with a variety of needs. Should you face an accessibility barrier in the application and interview process please let us know by contacting talent@reprorights.org. We will work with you to provide the accommodation that works best for you. 

To learn more about the Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights

Learn more about the Center for Reproductive Rights, go to www.reproductiverights.org

FLSA Exempt Status: This position is exempt.

Union Status: This position is anticipated to fall within one of the Center’s bargaining units, which is represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW Local 2325. While this position is not currently covered by a collective bargaining agreement, please note that an agreement may take effect before or after this position is filled.

How to Apply: Please complete the application below to apply. A cover letter and resume must be included in your application. Please include these application materials as attachments.

Please note that all genuine Center openings must be applied through the Center website. The Center does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process (application, interviews, or selection). Nor does it request any medical examinations or bank account information as part of this process. If someone contacts, you on behalf of the Center requesting payment for your application please notify talent@reprorights.org before taking any further action.

Our hiring processes and our work culture offer support and flexibility for staff with a variety of needs. Should you face an accessibility barrier in the application and interview process please let us know by contacting talent@reprorights.org. We will work with you to provide the accommodation that works best for you. 

Deadline for applications: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Center policy on visa sponsorship for US based positions: Applicants for employment in the US must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the US by The Center for Reproductive Rights.

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