Human Rights Counsel

Job Title:Human Rights Counsel

Department: Programs

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: Are you a seasoned attorney with a passion for non-profit legal advocacy and a drive to make a meaningful impact on reproductive rights? Join our team as the US Human Rights Counsel, where you'll collaborate closely with maternal health and rights leaders like the Senior Human Rights Staff Attorney and the Senior Advisor for Maternal Health and Rights. As a key member of our dedicated U.S. Human Rights team, you'll lead impactful advocacy efforts to advance reproductive rights in the United States, focusing on legislative, administrative, and litigation strategies. Your primary mission will be to spearhead our U.S. maternal health initiatives, addressing health disparities and promoting the Human Rights of pregnant, birthing, and postpartum individuals. This role offers a unique opportunity for seasoned attorneys in non-profit legal advocacy to contribute to a vital cause, work within a collaborative and diverse team, and lead transformative initiatives in reproductive rights and maternal health. Make a difference beyond the courtroom—join us in shaping the future of reproductive rights in the U.S.

This role can be based in the New York City or Washington D.C. 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 employees of the Center.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with senior US Human Rights team staff to drive US Maternal Health Initiatives, focusing on proactive legislation and legal strategies grounded in international Human Rights law that center the communities most affected by Human Rights violations, particularly Black and Indigenous communities.
• State Policy Leadership: Work closely with the State Policy and Advocacy team to shape an integrated strategy addressing abortion, maternal health, and assisted reproduction.
• Litigation Advancement: Collaborate with the Litigation team to develop legal strategies, with a focus on expanding access to midwifery care in maternal health cases.
• Policy Expertise: Develop and maintain expertise in maternal health policy through research and analysis, contributing to the Center's proactive stance.
• Advocacy Development: Contribute to legislative and policy strategies, advocating for state-level changes in maternal health, including midwifery care expansion.
• Resource Building: Support the Center's position as a go-to resource on maternal health law, cultivating relationships with key partners.
• Legal Guidance: Provide legal and substantive policy expertise to state advocates and lawmakers, offering technical assistance on maternal health laws and policies.
• Monitoring and Response: Stay vigilant on state policy developments, conducting research and collaborating with stakeholders to identify creative solutions to policy challenges.
• Coalition Building: Engage in meaningful coalitions with external partners in maternal health, including reproductive justice, birth justice, and Black and Indigenous leaders.
• Public Representation: Represent the Center at events and conferences, contributing to a coordinated approach in maternal health advocacy across departments.
• Intern Supervision: May supervise interns as needed, contributing to the development of future leaders in maternal health advocacy.

Qualifications:

• J.D. required with a minimum of 5 years of legal experience, coupled with admission to the New York State or Washington, D.C. bar or the commitment to become admitted within twelve months if not currently admitted.
• A strong commitment to the Center's mission, core principles, and values, illustrating genuine dedication to advancing Human Rights.
• Proven dedication to intersectional advocacy, covering maternal health, racial justice, and the Center's Human Rights-based approach.
• Strong interest in and understanding of Human Rights and reproductive justice frameworks, demonstrating the ability to effectively leverage these frameworks to advance reproductive rights in the U.S.
• Possess excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, coupled with the ability to deliver compelling and persuasive remarks during public speaking engagements.
• Exhibit curiosity, commitment to continuous learning, and the ability to maintain a high level of expertise in the relevant subject matter.
• Showcase outstanding legal analysis skills, including the ability to develop complex legal arguments and analyze legislation and regulations, consistent with the role.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners. Commitment to co-creating strategies and solutions through principled, collective effort.
• Demonstrate the ability and capacity to foster/support diversity, equity, and inclusion in a professional setting, with a track record of applying a racial justice lens in analysis, advocacy, and partnerships.

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 annual salary is starting at $125,000, commensurate with years of experience. This salary is reflective of a position based in New York City & Washington, D.C. 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.

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 is an exempt position.

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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