The Week that Will Be

Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)

Tuesday, August 12 at 5 pm: The International Peace and Security Institute will host a South China Seas Crisis Negotiation Simulation at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Christian Chrisholm, president of the Institute, will lead the simulation. RSVP here.

Wednesday, August 13 at 10:30 am: Extending that conversation, the Heritage Foundation hosts a discussion on Taiwan's Maritime Security, which the event announcement notes is inextricably linked to the continuing East China and South China Sea territorial disputes. The panel will include James Jay Carafano, Bernard Cole, Dean Cheng, and Cortez Cooper. Register for the event here.

Thursday, August 14 at 10 am: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace hosts a conversation on Preventing Violence in the Name of God: The Role of Religion in Diplomacy. Panelists will explore what the Department of State is doing to engage religious leaders and faith-based communities, as well as the limits and scope of that cooperation. Speakers will include, Jerry White, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Arsalan Suleman, Ambassador Thomas Pickering, and Allen Keiswetter. RSVP here.

Thursday, August 14 at 12 pm: Which Poses the Bigger Threat to U.S. National Security - Iran or Non-State Sunni Extremism? That question will be up for debate at the Hudson Institute on Thursday. Participants will include Lee Smith, Michael Doran, Hillel Fradkin, and Brian Katulis. For more information and to RSVP, visit the Hudson Institute website.

Employment Announcements (More details on the Job Board)

ORGANIZATION: Human Fights First JOB ID: 806077 SALARY: Competitive with comprehensive benefits package LOCATION: Washington, DC JOB DESCRIPTION: Reporting to the Senior Director of Government Advocacy, the Senior Advocate, Foreign Policy is an integral member of the government advocacy team.  Specializing in human rights advocacy in the defense, national security, and foreign policy communities, the Senior Advocate will devise strategies that frame, elevate, and, ultimately, achieve Human Rights First’s policy objectives by working with the Department of State and the congressional foreign affairs committees. The Senior Advocate, Foreign Policy will work closely with appropriate coalition partners, and coordinate work with Senior Counsel, Defense and Intelligence and Senior Advocate, Defense Policy.   S/He will also provide support to other Human Rights First teams working with these targets, and collaborate closely with Strategic Alliances, Research and Analysis, Communications, and Development departments, as well as other members of the Government Advocacy team, to maximize knowledge, skills, and resources to meet organizational goals. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage Human Rights First advocacy with Department of State and foreign affairs committees, and related advocacy targets :
• Develop strategies to influence decision makers with a specific focus on Deputy Assistant Secretary level and above and Professional Staff member and above.
• Identify decision making process on specific objectives, including inter-agency processes.
• Lead and/or coordinate meetings with Human Rights First experts, leadership, and validators as appropriate.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with senior-level policy makers and their staffs.
• Lead objectives in at least one area of Human Rights First advocacy on the Middle East, Leahy Law, and/or trafficking.
• Coordinate strategies with other work involving these targets.
• Track legislation and develop organizational positions and approach, including on appropriations.
• Lead Human Rights First approach to Congressional hearings in this area and/or involving advocacy targets.  Work with other colleagues to prepare, attend, and follow up hearings, as appropriate.
• Contribute to projects in the Government Advocacy department, including engagement in major events such as White House initiatives and the Human Rights Summit; mastering advocacy tools such as BGov; studying advocacy campaigns; and cultivating relationships with Washington experts on human rights and U.S. global leadership.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• At least 5 years public affairs experience in a range of settings: government/cabinet agencies, political campaigns, Capitol Hill, or in a leadership role in an advocacy organization, including at least 3 years advising senior-level leaders.
• Substantive experience in one of the following areas: Middle East, Leahy Law, or trafficking.
• Sophisticated understanding of the legislative and political process, and experience managing multifaceted advocacy campaigns.
• Excellent political judgment and a keen strategic thinker.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize responsibilities, and work independently while functioning as a member of a team. Strong emphasis on follow up and completing work on deadlines.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please complete the online application found at www.humanrightsfirst.org  under ABOUT US / JOB OPPORTUNITIES links. Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. Over its 35-year history, Human Rights First has earned a reputation for pragmatic, results-oriented advocacy that is politically astute, grounded in facts, and driven by sophisticated legal and policy analysis. Human Rights First is a non-profit, non-partisan organization with a track record of success in delivering change that has made a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

ORGANIZATION: Human Fights First JOB ID: 806244 SALARY: Competitive with comprehensive benefits package LOCATION: Washington, DC JOB DESCRIPTION: Reporting to the Senior Director of Government Advocacy, the Senior Advocate, Defense Policy is an integral member of the government advocacy team.  Specializing in human rights advocacy in the defense, national security, and foreign policy communities, the Senior Advocate will devise strategies that frame, elevate, and, ultimately, achieve Human Rights First’s policy objectives by working with the Department of Defense and the congressional armed services committees.   The Senior Advocate, Defense Policy will work closely with appropriate coalition partners, and coordinate work with Senior Counsel, Defense and Intelligence and Senior Advocate, Foreign Policy.   S/He will also provide support to other Human Rights First teams working with these targets, and collaborate closely with Strategic Alliances, Research and Analysis, Communications, and Development departments, as well as other members of the Government Advocacy team, to maximize knowledge, skills, and resources to meet organizational goals. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage Human Rights First advocacy with Department of Defense and armed services committees, and related advocacy targets:
• Develop strategies to influence decision makers with a specific focus on Deputy Assistant Secretary level and above and Professional Staff member and above.
• Identify decision making process on specific objectives, including inter-agency processes.
• Lead and/or cultivate meetings with experts, leadership, and validators as appropriate.
• Lead objectives in at least one area of Human Rights First advocacy on the Middle East, Leahy Law, and/or trafficking.
• Track legislation and develop organizational positions and approach, including on appropriations.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• At least 5 years public affairs experience in a range of settings: government/cabinet agencies, political campaigns, Capitol Hill, or in a leadership role in an advocacy organization, including at least 3 years advising senior-level leaders.
• Substantive experience in one of the following areas: Middle East, Leahy Law, or trafficking.
• Sophisticated understanding of the legislative and political process, and experience managing multifaceted advocacy campaigns.
• Excellent political judgment and a keen strategic thinker.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, prioritize responsibilities, and work independently while functioning as a member of a team. Strong emphasis on follow up and completing work on deadlines.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please complete the online application found at www.humanrightsfirst.org  under ABOUT US / JOB OPPORTUNITIES links. Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. Over its 35-year history, Human Rights First has earned a reputation for pragmatic, results-oriented advocacy that is politically astute, grounded in facts, and driven by sophisticated legal and policy analysis. Human Rights First is a non-profit, non-partisan organization with a track record of success in delivering change that has made a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security seeks an intern for the Fall semester 2014.  Unpaid internship will include research and writing in preparation for the 24^th Annual Review of the Field of National Security Law Conference in Washington, DC.  Intern will also have the opportunity to attend and provide summaries of pertinent Congressional hearings, and participate in monthly breakfast programs featuring prominent speakers in the area of national security law. Fall applicants may be undergraduates or currently in law school. (full or part time)   Deadline for submission: September 10, 2014. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to:  Holly McMahon, Staff Director ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security 1050 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Holly.McMahon@americanbar.org CC: John.Cummings@americanbar.org