Program Officer

Program Officer

Program Officer

  • Full Time
  • Entry Level
  • Applications have closed
Job Category: Development, Programs/Services
Location: Manhattan
Job Sectors: International/Foreign Affairs
Salary Range:

Job Announcement

Program Officer

 

Reports to:                 Managing Director

Latest update:            June 13, 2019

 

The International Legal Foundation (ILF), www.theilf.org, the leading global advocate for the right of poor accused to legal representation and a provider of legal aid services in countries around the world, is hiring a Program Officer to provide program support to its public defender initiatives around the world. This is an exciting position for an individual who is passionate about advancing access to justice and wants to join a leading international human rights organization.

 

Driven by the belief that every person accused of a crime deserves to be represented by a well-trained lawyer, no matter their ability to pay, the ILF has established pioneering public defender programs in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Tunisia and the West Bank that are leading the fight for equal access to justice for all. The ILF’s uniquely practical and effective approach focuses on incrementally developing the knowledge and skills of lawyers through mentoring—not simply dropping in and providing one off trainings—while collaborating with government and justice sector stakeholders to advocate for systemic change. In addition to its ground-up work establishing effective legal aid systems, the ILF also engages in high-level global advocacy, pushing countries, international institutions, and donors to prioritize legal aid as a fundamental human right.

 

The ideal candidate will be deeply knowledgeable about criminal justice/indigent defense issues and understand the roles that direct services, policy advocacy, and communication can play in advancing social change. The ideal candidate will also have excellent communication and writing skills, be organized and strategic, and a self-starter who deals well with change.

 

Key Responsibilities:

      Contribute in the ongoing growth and development of the ILF’s program work aimed at advancing the rights of poor and vulnerable accused worldwide, building justice reform movements, and creating effective and sustainable legal aid institutions;

      Conduct legal research, provide detailed analysis of assigned matters and, as required, prepare background materials and summaries of criminal justice issues worldwide;

      Manage, monitor and coordinate the ILF’s grants portfolio, including: grant requirements and due dates; tracking objectives, activities, expected results, and indicators of success; working with ILF management and country teams to draft grant proposals and reports; undertaking periodic reviews of progress; and developing improved processes;

      Train and support the development of report writing staff in ILF country program offices worldwide so that local staff can better engage with donors, and eventually submit, reports and proposals for funding for their individual country programs;

      Work with the managing director and program team to develop systems for effectively tracking program activities and targets against approved timelines, log frames and monitoring and evaluation matrix and creating team wide alerts for project milestones;

      In coordination with the director of advocacy and partnerships keep up to date on new government and foundation grant awards, including regularly reviewing websites, subscribing to email lists and sharing application opportunities with the management team;

      Keep up to date on program activities and achievements, draft monthly program reports, and regularly communicate program highlights, challenges and successes;

      Work with the ILF program team to ensure that ILF Case Notes, developed by the ILF’s lawyers and program directors about legal issues being addressed in ILF’s program offices, are drafted, approved, and published by the ILF’s communications and advocacy team;

      Support the coordination of monthly and other interim meetings with the ILF’s program team worldwide as well as organizing and publishing meeting minutes;

      Support the program and managing director(s) in documenting the ILF’s development of key program processes and systems, and make recommendations for improvement

 

Qualifications:

      A belief in the mission of The International Legal Foundation and a demonstrated commitment to social justice and criminal justice reform;

      Bachelor’s Degree required and at least 2 years work experience;

      Juris Doctor or master’s degree preferred;

      Deep understanding of criminal justice/ indigent defense issues;

      Strong information gathering, messaging, writing, and editing skills;

      Experience developing and maintaining an organization’s voice and tone;

      Excellent interpersonal skills;

      Previous experience in proposal and report writing a plus;

      Previous experience in monitoring and evaluation of programs a plus:

      Previous experience training others in proposal and report writing a plus

 

Kindly submit your resume, a thoughtful cover letter and writing sample to: HR Director at [email protected] by July 7, 2019. No telephone inquiries please. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

The International Legal Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff.  We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences and communities to apply.

The International Legal Foundation

  • 315 West 39th Street, Suite 507
  • New York, NY 10018
  • United States
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