Jobs and Internships

Jobs

DIRECTOR, SECURITY SYSTEM REFORM PROGRAM

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Security System Reform (SSR) Program of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) promotes a "justice-sensitive" approach to SSR to prevent the recurrence of human rights violations, to promote social reconstruction, and to build the rule of law in countries emerging from conflict or authoritarian rule. The Director will need to operate effectively at the intersection between the fields of human rights and SSR to promote reciprocal learning and an accountability-based approach to improving both the legitimacy and the efficacy of security institutions.

The SSR Program assists governments, international organizations and civil society organizations around the world with security system reform. The Program also supports the United Nations, in particular its Department of Peacekeeping Operations, to develop policies, procedures, and training tools. ICTJ also trains UN personnel and provides advice on justice-sensitive SSR to UN peace operations on the ground.

The Director is a member of ICTJ's management structure, supervises the Center's SSR Program, and reports to the Director of Thematic Programs of the ICTJ.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

ICTJ seeks a director to lead a staff team in developing a strategic vision for justice-sensitive security system reform and integrating that plan into the larger institution. The director will oversee the design and implementation of all in-country SSR projects and will be the central contact for regional and thematic staff at ICTJ regarding SSR. Together with the SSR staff, the Director will continue to build a network of partners globally in the transitional justice and security system reform communities.

The Director will also oversee the development of a fundraising plan for the program and be willing to approach potential funders on behalf of the ICTJ's SSR work.

The Director's responsibilities Include:

Management:

Manage the SSR Program.
Represent the SSR Program in ICTJ's management structure.
Build and oversee a global team of 5-10 staff.
Maintain productive working relationships with the regional and thematic directors of the ICTJ.
Supervise consultants.

Program:

Lead the development of the Program's strategic vision and workplan.
Oversee the design and implementation of all in-country SSR projects.
Direct the process of conceptualizing justice-sensitive SSR and supervise the design and implementation of all SSR research projects.

Fundraising:

Oversee the design of the Program's fundraising plan.
Conduct fundraising activities for the Program and maintain contacts with relevant donors.
Oversee the drafting of grant applications and grant reports.

Outreach:

Continue to build a network of partners in the TJ and SSR communities.
Cultivate relationships with implementing partners, including multi-lateral organizations, especially the UN, governments, and civil society groups.
Encourage and facilitate exchanges/conversation between the SSR community and the human rights/transitional justice community.
Conduct regular travel to countries of engagement for project supervision.
Represent the ICTJ SSR program externally.

MAJOR QUALIFICATIONS

To direct its SSR Program, ICTJ seeks a candidate with:

Education: An MA degree or equivalent in international relations, law, political science or related field.

Experience: Familiarity with and commitment to issues of security, human rights, law, public policy and international affairs. A minimum of 5 years of relevant international experience involving senior management responsibilities.

Skills and Attributes:

Experience in project and program management.
Capacity to interact effectively in both the human rights and SSR communities.
Familiarity with fundraising.
Professional level English language skills.
Proficiency in French highly desirable; Spanish also a plus.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Collegial leader with the ability to work with a globally diverse team
Ability to multi-task.
Strong analytical and organizational skills.
Ability to work quickly under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
Sense of humor.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

ICTJ seeks exceptional candidates and offers competitive compensation and generous employer-paid benefits. ICTJ will pay reasonable relocation expenses. ICTJ endeavors to attract and retain a diverse, international staff.

Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, an unedited writing sample and contact information for three references by June 30, 2008 to: Sharlene Williams, Human Resources Manager, ICTJ. E-mail: hr@ictj.org

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM) OFFICER

POSITION OVERVIEW

The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) assists countries pursuing accountability for past mass atrocity or human rights abuse. The Center works in societies emerging from repressive rule or armed conflict, as well as in established democracies where historical injustices or systemic abuse remain unresolved.

The ICTJ is a thought-leader in the field of transitional justice, but we are not yet a learning organization. The KM Officer will strategize and lead implementation of this change, reporting to senior ICTJ management.

The primary function of the KM Officer will be to identify and implement key knowledge sharing systems and processes among ICTJ staff, both within HQ in NY and around the world in our satellite offices. This includes fostering institutional debates, ensuring these take place in accessible and interactive ways across the organization, and to ensure that the ICTJ generates new knowledge through comparative experiences across regions and themes. S/he must be able to manage relevant systems and oversee their deployment, including necessary training.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Facilitate institutional debate, learning and evaluation across regions and between themes, and through this interactive methodology, building new institutional and individual knowledge that keeps the ICTJ at the cutting edge of creative thinking in its field.
Assume strategic responsibility for managing information flow and efficient access to information through the design and maintenance of the KM "intranet" (including a searchable and globally accessible database of internal and external work products).
Assess the need to update the design and function of the KM architecture; coordinate the work of service providers to whom the ICTJ may outsource maintenance and design functions or the responsibility for hosting databases, archives, etc.
Foster institutional processes, both through intranet interactivity and through other institutional spaces and fora.
Engage in a specific interaction with the Research Unit in order to translate key research into institutional knowledge and information, as well as to feed key debates and lessons from the field into the ICTJ's research agenda.
Maintain ongoing interaction with the Communications Unit in order to create an optimal (and selective) interface between internal "intranet-based" KM functions and the publicly accessible ICTJ website. Liaise with the Communications Unit and other units in relation to publications, particularly by identifying and recommending material for publication.
Develop a key relationship with the Development Unit to ensure that the information needed by Development can be independently accessed through the intranet.
Interface with the VP of Administration and Finance to ensure that HR, Admin and Finance systems are integrated into the database and intranet capacities, and to assess and improve the technological and KM needs of multiple field offices and travelling staff.
Oversee the technical processes associated with the maintenance and function of the system, particularly in the organization of the database, and will work closely with the database organizer.
Responsible for creating imperatives and incentives for staff to migrate from email-based to interactive web-based information sharing and knowledge creation.
Supervise staff; oversee Database Organizer/Librarian functions, including the establishment of file naming, security protocols and archiving policies and practices.
Participate in internal staff meetings, the office retreat, country meetings and other unit activities, including drafting of regular reports.
Lead/contribute to the ICTJ's IT, internet, and communications strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A qualification in Information/Computer Science, Database Management or a related field would be an advantage, but is not a prerequisite.
Professional familiarity with IT and software applications relevant to the field are important, as is a sound understanding of KM principles.
Incumbent should demonstrate significant professional experience in knowledge management, preferably in the context of an international organization and/or non-profit, as well as a proven ability to design and implement information architectures.
A substantive knowledge of the transitional justice, human rights, humanitarian or related fields and previous employment in a related sector is preferred.
Field experience in challenging international environments is a significant plus.
Minimum 5-7 years substantive experience in the above sectors/fields.
Must have excellent skills pertaining to the design, deployment, and management of databases and intranet platforms and/or a proven ability to supervise staff and contractors involved in the design, maintenance and operation of such KM technologies.
Demonstrated knowledge of the challenges of KM across and between multiple offices in multiple languages is essential. Experience working in a non-profit or related field is a plus.
Project and program management experience is required, along with strong analytical and research skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills are required, including public speaking experience.

OTHER:

A competitive annual salary and comprehensive benefits package is provided.

CONTACT:

Submit cover letter, resume and contact information for three references to hr@ictj.org.
Please list the job title in the subject line.
Only qualified applicants will be contacted.
Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.
Position is open until filled.
NO TELEPHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

Internships

Geneva Internships

Internship Application

The ICTJ is a human rights organization that provides technical assistance to countries in transition that are struggling to confront a period of past abuse. Depending on the context, the Center may assist with initiatives to prosecute wrong-doers, establish the truth about past massive crimes, provide reparations to victims, or implement reforms to prevent any repetition of abuse by state forces. The Center provides direct technical assistance overseas, facilitates research projects, and offers capacity-building for local actors. ICTJ interns are involved in substantive work for the majority of their time, including research, monitoring developments in key countries, and otherwise assisting program staff. A modest portion of time may be required for administrative duties.

Internship positions are available with the ICTJ office in Geneva, Switzerland. Internships are generally for 3 months, although a shorter or longer period may be possible. We welcome applications from students and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines. Advanced proficiency in both English and French is preferred, as well as a working knowledge of Spanish or other UN languages. Projects for 2008 require interns with excellent English writing skills; such applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

ICTJ Geneva is not in a position to remunerate interns. Interns must have sufficient funding for their travel, mandatory health insurance, and daily living and lodging costs. ICTJ can provide an indication of the living costs in Geneva and information on relatively inexpensive student hostels.

To apply, please fill in the following application form, attach a resume and brief cover letter, and send to geneva@ictj.org referencing "Geneva Internship" in the subject line. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Brussels Internships

Internship Application (English) | Internship Application (francais)

Three full-time internship positions are available with the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) office in Brussels, Belgium for the period of January-June 2009 (inclusive). We welcome applications from students and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines. Advanced proficiency or fluency in spoken and written French is a prerequisite for consideration.

A stipend of 650 Euros a month is available for each intern. We welcome applicants from throughout the globe, though the ICTJ will not be able to obtain work authorization or visas for the intern who is not an EU resident.

To apply, please complete the application form, attach a resume, and send to bxlinternships@ictj.org, referencing "Brussels Internship" in the subject line. Applications are due before 30th September 2008. Successful applicants will be notified before 31st October 2008. Due to the large volume of applications, the ICTJ will only contact successful applicants. Please, no telephone calls/faxes.

L'ICTJ offre trois stages à temps plein au sein de son bureau à Bruxelles pour la période allant du début du mois de janvier jusqu'à la fin du mois de juin 2009. Nous acceptons les candidatures émanant d'un large éventail de disciplines. Les personnes ayant une solide maîtrise écrite et orale du français sont vivement encouragées à postuler.

Une allocation de 650 euros par mois est attribuée à chaque stagiaire. Nous accueillons les candidatures venant de tous les pays bien que l'ICTJ ne soit en mesure de fournir ni autorisation de travail ni visa pour les stagiaires de nationalité hors Union Européenne.

Pour postuler, veuillez remplir le formulaire de candidature et l'adresser à bxlinternships@ictj.org, en indiquant, dans l'espace ‘objet' de votre email, « Brussels Internship- Stage à Bruxelles ». Veuillez envoyer vos candidatures avant le dernier jour ouvrable du mois de septembre 2008. Les réponses seront envoyées aux candidats retenus au plus tard le dernier jour ouvrable du mois d'octobre 2008. Etant donné le nombre important de candidatures reçues, l'ICTJ contactera uniquement les candidats retenus. Merci de ne pas téléphoner ni d'envoyer de fax.

New York Internships

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

Research Intern, Children and Transitional Justice

The ICTJ is seeking one intern to assist with a new project on children and transitional justice. Transitional justice mechanisms seeking to deal with past violations have frequently overlooked children’s issues and perspectives, and practitioners in the field have only recently begun to acknowledge the significance of children’s participation in these measures.

Duties to include:
--Researching issues related to the participation and protection of children in transitional justice processes.
--Fact-checking and editing on a forthcoming publication on children and truth commissions, and on other written materials produced for the project.
--Data management
--Some administrative assistance

Applicants enrolled in a graduate degree program in human rights, international affairs, anthropology, political science or other related fields will be given priority. Experience working on children’s issues or child rights internationally preferred. Some knowledge and understanding of transitional justice also preferred.

Application instructions:
Please send a cover letter, resume and (optional) writing sample by 9 January 2009 to the Internship Coordinator: internships@ictj.org. No phone calls, please. Qualified candidates will be notified directly.

Research Intern, US Accountability Project (War on Terror)

One spring semester research internship is available immediately with the Reparations Program of the ICTJ in New York.

The intern will conduct research on the "US Accountability Project" related to abuses committed during the War on Terror.

Potential research themes include:
--International criminal law
--Transitional justice
--Reparations
--Security system reform

Advanced US legal training (3L, JD, LLM) is strongly preferred. Ideal candidate will display knowledge of the US political scene and legislative system. Drafting and research skills are a "must." All applicants must have advanced proficiency in English.

GENERAL APPLICATION

The general application deadline for Spring Semester 2009 passed on December 5, 2008. An application for Summer Session 2009 will be posted shortly.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The New York Internship Program provides students with a full-time professional experience that demonstrates the nature of substantive work within the ICTJ, and applies the theories and concepts of transitional justice (and its attendant disciplines) already developed in students’ formal coursework.

We welcome applications from persons from a wide range of disciplines, including both undergraduate and graduate students. All interns must have advanced proficiency in English. Persons who also have strong writing and speaking abilities in other languages are particularly encouraged to apply.

The competitive nature of the applicant pool means that interns will be placed largely according to program needs.

UPCOMING CYCLES

Summer Session 2009 (Deadline: March 5, 2009)

May or June through August

Fall Semester 2009 (Deadline: August 5, 2009)
Mid-September through mid-December

Internships in New York are unpaid; however, travel passes for local transportation are available upon request to full-time interns. The ICTJ welcomes applicants from any country, although the ICTJ is not able to obtain work authorization or visas for non-US residents.

CONTACT

For further inquiries regarding the Internship Program, please address an email to the Internship Coordinator at internships@ictj.org.

Please note that only successful applicants will be notified. No calls, please.

Printer Friendly

Enlarge Text Smaller Text

E-Mail this