Advocacy Associate
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document human rights and humanitarian law violations and prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all.
Building upon its highly respected place in the field, and supported by a committed and talented team, PHR is seeking an Advocacy Associate.
Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Location: This position is usually located in our headquarters in New York City but is remote while offices remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Classification: Full-time 40 hours per week| Non-Exempt
Reports to: Deputy Director of Advocacy
Organization Description
Physicians for Human Rights was founded in 1986 by five physicians who were united in the belief that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to prevent harm and promote respect for human rights. Since its founding, PHR has built a long and distinguished record of accomplishment by conducting groundbreaking investigations and advocacy, in concert with strategic partners.
PHR’s approach includes extensive documentation of the use of illegal and inhumane weapons in armed conflicts, attacks on civilians, and the physical and psychological impacts of torture and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Other core activities include protecting the rights of those seeking asylum in the United States, the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and halting attacks on medical facilities and frontline health professionals.
Role Description
Located in New York City and reporting to the Deputy Director of Advocacy, the Advocacy Associate will support PHR’s U.S. and global advocacy efforts that build on and connect to PHR’s research and investigations, training and capacity development, and network-building initiatives. The Advocacy Associate will work with the Deputy Director of Advocacy and the Advocacy Team to help mobilize and leverage the influence of health care workers, forensic scientists, and other medical professionals to advance human rights advocacy campaigns.
Initially, a major priority for the Advocacy Associate will be leading an effort to implement Salesforce, a contact relationship management tool, as part of a broader effort to map, engage with, and build from PHR’s relationships in the government, medical, and civil society sectors. The Advocacy Associate will also help build, manage, and improve the processes and procedures for conducting the day-to-day work of the advocacy department.
Responsibilities
- Conduct and facilitate relationship mapping and engagement by leading the advocacy department’s implementation, adoption, use, and maintenance of Salesforce and relevant government relations tools
- Write and edit high-quality advocacy content, including petitions, letters, meeting requests, research briefs, factsheets, and other constituency-building communications
- Help develop and implement PHR’s advocacy strategies with a focus on identifying and following through on opportunities for PHR’s medical evidence and voices to have an impact
- Help build, manage, and improve the processes and procedures for the advocacy department
- Under the supervision of department team members, track and engage with the U.S. federal government and Congress, the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization, other international and regional governing bodies, thought leaders, international professional associations, and international NGOs to position PHR’s research, training and capacity-building initiatives, and voices from PHR’s network to have impact on human rights law, policies, and practices
- Under the supervision of department team members, help develop and maintain coalitions, working groups, and partnerships with a range of professional associations and human rights organizations to advance PHR’s domestic and international advocacy
- Attend or help other PHR staff prepare for meetings with national and international governmental officials, the NGO community, and health worker networks and associations
- Monitor policy and related developments pertaining to the human rights programs and issues where PHR is engaged internationally and identify opportunities where PHR can strategically act alone or in alliance with others to strengthen human rights policy and practice
- Help implement campaign strategies and tactics through targeted messaging, convenings of internal and external experts and stakeholders, and outreach and engagement with medical health professionals and experts
- Contribute to the development of policy recommendations for PHR research reports and other products implicating human rights and medical ethics frameworks and obligations
- Provide to the PHR development staff input and materials necessary to draft grant proposals and grant reports for program donors
- Help develop and implement strategies, plans, and tactics for advocacy with PHR’s Student Advisory Board and chapters
- Coordinate and help manage the advocacy department’s hiring of and engagement with interns
Skills and Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Tech savvy and a creative problem solver
- Adept at managing relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders
- Experience convening and facilitating workshops, coalition meetings, and advocacy meetings preferred
- Energetic self-starter: ability to anticipate upcoming needs, work effectively under pressure with attention to detail, and prioritize and juggle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Advanced knowledge of Salesforce or other contact management database systems desired
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, and to cope with repeated exposure to graphic and disturbing content
- Beyond English, fluency in one or more of French, Arabic, Chinese, or another official language of the United Nations preferred
Salary and Benefits
PHR offers competitive compensation, with options for medical, dental, disability, and life insurance, a retirement savings plan, and generous vacation. PHR observes the last week of the calendar year as an opportunity to refresh, with all offices closed.
How to Apply
Please email cover letter and resume to resumes@phr.org. Please include the job title of the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email and where you saw this job posting in the email body.
Physicians for Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit and hire without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, prior conviction, arrest history, disability, marital status, veteran status, or age.