Associate Director of Human Rights and Public International Law

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $95,000 - $105,000

Position Summary

The Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers (PI/PS) at Columbia Law School provides career services, programming, and specialized opportunities to students and graduates interested in exploring public interest, government, and human rights careers. PI/PS is one of the largest and most specialized public interest advising centers at any U.S. law school and leads conversations on campus about cutting-edge racial and social justice issues and other intersections of law and justice. PI/PS also oversees the Law School's pro bono. program, Human Rights Internship Program, and the Max Berger '71 Public Interest/Public Service Fellows Program. Please visit https://www.law.columbia.edu/about/departments/PIPS and https://www.law.columbia.edu/careers/public-interest to learn more.

The Associate Director of Human Rights and Public International Law at PI/PS has primary responsibility for the design, implementation and management of all human rights and public international law programs and advising services for Columbia Law School students (JDs and LL.M.s) and graduates. The incumbent educates, counsels and assists Columbia Law students and graduates with interest in pursuing internships, careers or other experiences related to human rights and public international law. The incumbent is also responsible for cultivating and sustaining relationships with human rights employers and building new opportunities and career pipelines in the human rights sector for Columbia Law students and graduates. The incumbent, in collaboration with other Columbia Law School offices, works to build a community and support for human rights students at Columbia Law School. This position reports to the Dean of PI/PS.

Responsibilities

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  Provides advice, curricular guidance and strategic support to Columbia Law School J.D. students (of all class years) and graduates. interested in pursuing opportunities in international human rights and public international law. Assists them with obtaining summer internships, fellowships, post-graduate employment, professional development, and networking opportunities. Serves as chief adviser to participants in the Public Interest/Public Service Fellows Program who are interested in human rights and public international law. Connects students and graduates to faculty and practitioners to build contacts and provide mentorship. Works to build and support a community for students interested in human rights work at Columbia Law School.

  
  
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  Counsels LL.M. students who are seeking employment in international human rights or public international law. This includes (a) managing and staffing an online LL.M. advising portal to review submitted written application materials; (b) holding drop in hours and group meetings for LL.M.s; (c) providing individual advising appointments for LL.M.s and support for post graduate employment and fellowship applications; (d) providing programming targeted for LL.M.s; (e) connecting LL.M.s to alumni and employers for informational meetings and networking; and (f) hosting community building events for LL.M.s interested in human rights and international positions.

  
  
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  Develops and executes virtual and in-person programming focused on skill development, network building, critical thinking and exposure to cutting edge issues in human rights practice for all students.

  
  
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  Oversees, manages and evaluates the Human Rights Internship Program (HRIP), including (a) planning and implementing the mandatory training and orientation (T&O) program to expose students to human rights law, norms, treaties and trends, as well as provide cultural competency training and other professional development in preparation for international human rights work; (b) performing evaluations of potential host organizations and building relationships; (c) recruiting students to participate in HRIP; (d) assisting students with obtaining summer placements; (e) organizing and hosting a post-summer HRIP debriefing meeting and (f) evaluating host organizations after every summer.

  
  
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  Establishes, maintains, and expands strategic relationships with human rights and international public law organizations, including, but not limited, to those that may provide Columbia Law School students or alumni with internships, job opportunities, or post graduate fellowships; and those who may serve as speakers or trainers for HRIP T&O or other programs. Performs site visits and meets with international employers to build relationships and encourage hiring of Columbia Law students, LL.M.s and alumni - and to assess organizations as hosts for post graduate fellowships. Develops databases for students and graduates to access "insider" knowledge and contact information for employer contacts, and develops other documents or portals tracking outreach to organizations, potential employers and other new opportunities.

  
  
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  Develops new publications and resources on cutting edge issues in human rights practice and opportunities in the human rights field. Revises publications and web content regarding internships, careers and professional development in human rights and public international law. Utilizes social media to raise visibility of human rights opportunities for Columbia Law students and graduates.

  
  
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  Oversees the administration of Columbia Law School's post graduate international human rights fellowships, including (a) identifying eligible students; (b) advising students on their fellowship applications; (c) organizing selection committee meetings; (d) elevating and publicizing the award of fellowships to the Columbia Law School community and (f) working with the Development and Alumni Relations Office to ensure that funder reports are submitted in a timely manner.

  
  
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  Develops and maintains an expertise with regard to (a) international human rights law and advocacy, and (b) hiring practices of international human rights organizations, including those in the field.

  
  
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  Participates in general PI/PS programming and activities for JD students, including 1L mandatory programs, general 1L advising. appointments, drop in hours, social events and community building events. Participates in PI/PS subcommittees and advocacy-related work including activities promoting social and racial justice on campus. Speaks at PI/PS- sponsored programs (such as admitted. students programs) and outside events; represents PI/PS at relevant meetings at the Law School and elsewhere; performs outreach to Columbia Law student groups including affinity groups.

  
  
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  Works with students, faculty and staff on appropriate projects of the Human Rights Institute, 1L Advocates Program and Human Rights Clinic, as time allows and upon approval of the Dean of PI/PS, including organizing site visits with human rights employers

  
  
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  Works closely with the Office of Private Sector Careers, the Office of Graduate Degree Programs, Human Rights Institute, Law School faculty, and others to harmonize public service and corporate professional development programs.

  
  
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  Performs additional responsibilities as assigned and requested.

  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. required.
• Three to five years of experience as a human rights/international public law practitioner with strong networks required. Experience as a counselor for, or manager of, a law-related public interest hiring program, fellowship program, internship program, law school advising program or pro bono program preferred.
• Superior research, oral and written communication skills (including public speaking), and outstanding interpersonal and organizational skills required..
• Ability to design and manage own projects with minimal supervision, to be organized and a self-starter, be part of a diverse and collegial team, to work under pressure, and to balance competing responsibilities necessary.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work is required.
• Must be able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive work environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.