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The Week That Will Be

Cody M. Poplin
Monday, August 25, 2014, 12:00 AM

Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)

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Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)

Tuesday, August 26th at 12 pm: In a panel discussion on Tuesday, the Hudson Institute asks, What About Jordan: Does Regional Crisis Threaten the Security of a Longstanding American Ally? Panelists Lee Smith, Faysal Itani, Salameh Nematt, and David Schenker will discuss what the American government can do to help a key Middle East partner. For more information or to RSVP, visit here. Wednesday, August 27th at 8 am: The second event of the 2014-2015 PONI Conference Series will be held August 27-28 at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico The two-day conference will feature panels of presentations from young nuclear experts covering topics such as the nuclear triad and modernization, deterrence in the twenty-first century, arms control and verification, regional nuclear dynamics, and nonproliferation and nuclear security. The conference will also include a keynote address by Major General David Thompson, Director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command and remarks from Major General Sandra Finan, Commander, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.  Wednesday, August 27th at 8:30 am: The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a press briefing on the NATO Summit & President Obama's Estonia Visit. Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Heather A. Conley, and H. Andrew Schwartz will speak. For more information, visit the CSIS event announcement. Wednesday, August 27th at 10 am: Women in International Security will hold an event entitled Women, Peace and Security Legal Toolkit. The event will be an examination of how law can be used to empower women in post-conflict systems. Julie L. Arostegui, Stephenie Foster, Susan Markham, Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, and Kathleen Kuehnast will speak. RSVP here. Thursday, August 28th at 2 pm: Public Opinion and War: When and why does the American public support war? Do events, such as casualties or the prospect of victory matter? What sorts of arguments should hawks and doves make if they hope to win support for their views? Adam Berinsky, John Mueller, Jason Reifler, Trevor Thrall, and Justin Logan will tackle that topic at the Cato Institute. For more information or to RSVP, visit Cato's website.

Employment Announcements (More details on the Job Board)

Senior Advocate, Foreign Policy
ORGANIZATION: Human Rights 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.
Senior Advocate, Defense Policy
ORGANIZATION: Human Rights 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.
Intern, American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security
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 24th 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

Topics:
Cody Poplin is a student at Yale Law School. Prior to law school, Cody worked at the Brookings Institution and served as an editor of Lawfare. He graduated from the UNC-Chapel Hill in 2012 with degrees in Political Science & Peace, War, and Defense.

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