The Week That Will Be

Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)

Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 9:00 a.m.: The Heritage Foundation and the Prospect Foundation will co-host an event titled, “Cross-Strait Relations: Present Challenges and Future Developments.” The day-long event will feature a keynote address by Chen Ming-tong, Mainland Affairs Council Minister, Republic of China (Taiwan) and several panel discussions. Register for the event here.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 2:00 p.m.: The Center for Strategic and International Studies will hold and event titled, “Diplomacy, Development, and Partnerships: An Exit Interview with Ambassador Martin Dahinden.” The event will feature a conversation between the outgoing Swiss ambassador to the U.S. and CSIS Senior Vice President Daniel F. Runde. Register for or watch the event live here.

Employment Announcements (More details on the Job Board)

The following are job announcements of potential interest to Lawfare readers. If you have an announcement to add to the page, email us.

Executive Director, Georgetown Center on National Security and the Law

Job Overview

The Georgetown Center on National Security and the Law (CNSL) is looking for an experienced Executive Director (ED) to provide oversight and to develop and coordinate strategic goals on behalf of the Faculty Director. The incumbent is responsible for the Center’s operation along with designing and managing center initiatives, programs, and events, and achieving programmatic success while working with multiple stakeholders. This position will engage in fundraising for the Center and the national security law program at Georgetown. In addition, the ED will initiate and manage key relationships, support faculty priorities and student interests, develop and implement standard procedures and policies, strengthen the Centers’ online presence, and ensure that internal and external partnerships are aligned, consistent, and effective. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in and strong knowledge of the field of national security law, strategic vision for CNSL, and strong leadership skills. The goal is to work closely with the Faculty Director to ensure support for faculty, fellows, students, and alumni; to strengthen the Center’s position in the field and relationships with constituents; and to further national security law.

Work Interactions

The ED reports directly to the Center on National Security and the Law’s Faculty Director. The Executive Director will supervise programs, Fellowships, and Research Assistants and will have significant interaction with Staff, Students, and Faculty across the Law Center. This position will collaborate with academic and administrative teams along with other Centers and Institutes. The incumbent will regularly engage in extensive communication with officials across the university on issues related to funding, space, events, HR, and more. Interactions will also include external parties and partners.

Requirements and Qualifications

J.D. and at least 7+ years of progressive experience related to national security law. Demonstrated organizational and grant writing skills and/or public or private sector experience is required. Experience in academic administration as well as project management and mentorship of junior colleagues and/or students is preferred.

Executive Director Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• In partnership with Faculty Director, design and implement a strategic vision for the Center for National Security and the Law.

• Formulate and manage strategic initiatives, direct progress towards meeting goals and achieving benchmarks, ensure follow-through on the part of key persons, and sustain momentum needed to drive initiatives to completion.

• Provide integrated policy analysis and strategic consultation to the Faculty Director and

• Co-Directors on major issues affecting the Center.

• Ensure the continued ability of the Center to bring diverse voices and perspectives to bear on critical issues impacting the field of national security law.

• Create regular and ongoing opportunities for national security Faculty, students, fellows, scholars, staff, and volunteers at Georgetown Law and provide feedback to the Faculty

• Director on strategic initiatives.

• As directed by the Faculty Director, participate in core functions and activities of the Law

• Center to better situate the Center and capitalize on resources.

• Attend strategic planning meetings and/or serve on University and Law Center-wide committees/task forces to represent the Center and build awareness around strategic initiatives.

Center Programs and Events

• Oversee and manage CNSL programs and events.

• Work with Faculty Director and national security Faculty and students to develop the substance and invite participants or speakers to conferences, meetings, panels, book talks, judicial training, and other events.

• Institute policies and guidelines for center events and assist Faculty with event details.

• Convene high-level discussions and debates on issues related to national security law and communicate with other national security programs at Georgetown University.

• Develop marketing strategies with Media Relations group and coordinate with Georgetown Law’s Special Events Team to ensure the smooth running of CNSL programs and events.

• Manage Georgetown Law’s Guantanamo Bay Observer program.

• Organize the Annual National Security Law lecture and dinner.

• Orchestrate the administrative side of the annual National Security Simulation.

• Coordinate with Centers, Institutes, and national security-related student organizations at

• Georgetown Law to foster a collaborative approach.

Fundraising

• Manage National Security fundraising efforts and take responsibility for all stages of the fundraising continuum, including discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Identify and engage potential major gifts and grants. Develop strategy for visiting prospects to promote center initiatives.

• Develop meaningful, collaborative relationships with the Gift Officers, the Grants team, and prospects.

• Write grant proposals on behalf of CNSL and the national security faculty, fellows, and students to help to further build the Center’s programs.

• Design non-partisan initiatives to provide financial support for the Center and Faculty.

Center Management

• Institute policies and guidelines for center events and operations.

• Understand Center needs and lead efforts to identify inconsistencies and provide assistance on recurring issues. Capitalize on existing center strengths and resources without diminishing funds.

• Supervise, mentor, and train Fellows, Visiting Researchers, Research Assistants and staff as appropriate.

• Oversee the CNSL budget and budget process. Work with Faculty Director to plan for center initiatives, analyze and realign resources, and advocate for additional resources when appropriate.

• Prepare and distribute the CNSL annual report.

• Manage the peer-reviewed, student-run Journal of National Security Law & Policy and its associated annual symposium at Georgetown Law.

• Provide career advice to JD and LL.M. students and help them to connect with alumni in the field.

External Relations

• Communicate with and maintain relationships with Georgetown Law alumni, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, and the broader national security community

• Communicate with and maintain relationships with Georgetown Law alumni, the

• American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, and the broader national security community.

• Manage the Center’s website, online State Secrets Archive, and online Foreign Intelligence Collection.

• Further develop CNSL’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media.

• Represent the Center in high-profile fora and events.

Information about health, retirement, and other benefits is available at https://benefits.georgetown.edu. (This position is classified as AAP.)

To apply, email a cover letter and C.V. to Nadia Asancheyev, at na76@georgetown.edu.

Any questions may be directed to Nadia Asancheyev, at na76@georgetown.edu, or 202-662-4072.

Applications are due Monday, June 3, 2019.

Trial Attorney, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Department of Justice Criminal Division

Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 22, 2019

About the Office:

The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) strives to do justice and protect victims of computer and intellectual property crime by uniquely combining technical expertise, legal insight, and effective advocacy. In implementing this goal, CCIPS pursues three overarching goals: to deter and disrupt computer and intellectual property crime, to guide the proper collection of electronic evidence by investigators and prosecutors, and to provide technical and legal advice and assistance to agents and prosecutors in the U.S. and around the world. It executes this mission in a wide variety of ways, including (a) by pursuing and coordinating investigations and prosecutions, and helping others to do so; (b) through activities that build the international legal and operational environment that allows for successful investigations and prosecutions; (c) by providing expert legal and technical advice and support to the Department, investigative agencies, and other executive branch agencies; and (d) by developing and advocating for computer and intellectual property crime policies and legislation.

Job Description:

Section attorneys are responsible for independently investigating, prosecuting, and trying computer crime and intellectual property matters. Attorneys in the section:

• Investigate and prosecute cases involving intellectual property violations and attacks on computers and computer networks;
• Advise prosecutors and law enforcement agents about technology issues;
• Train investigators and other prosecutors and speak to a variety of domestic and foreign audiences;
• Propose, write, and advise on legislation and policy relating to computer and intellectual property crimes and to the collection of electronic evidence;
• Engage in and support litigation relating to the collection of electronic evidence;
• Lead international efforts to promote effective cooperation to address the threats of computer and intellectual property crime; and
• Draft policies and monographs addressing significant issues relating to these responsibilities.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: Interested applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.

Grade Specific Qualifications:

• To qualify at the GS-14 grade level, applicants must have at least two and a half (2.5) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-13 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: performing legal analysis and formulating recommendations to senior managers; composing pleadings, briefs, and other court documents involving legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; and conducting civil or criminal litigation.
• To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Criminal prosecution or defense experience;
• Experience with complex investigations and the use of legal process (such as subpoenas and wiretap orders), especially in gathering electronic evidence;
• Technical knowledge of computers, networking, and investigative technologies (such as tracing Internet communications, computer programming, digital forensics, and information security);
• Knowledge of criminal statutes for which CCIPS has responsibility, including criminal provisions in federal copyright, trademark, and trade secret statues, and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act;
• Ability to communicate clearly through well-organized and accurately written documents;
• Ability to perform cogent and correct legal analysis on a variety of contentious and complex substantive issues;
• Ability to provide legal advice to others;
• Experience with legislative or policy development, especially policy related to criminal law, intellectual property, attacks on computer networks, and the collection of electronic evidence;
• Substantive knowledge of criminal procedure, particularly as it relates to obtaining electronic evidence;
• International training or experience, particularly in negotiating international agreements, in mutual legal assistance, and in fields related to CCIPS' work, such as computer security or intellectual property rights protection;
• Working experience with U.S. government structures and inter-agency processes, especially relating to computer or intellectual property crime or the development of military, intelligence, or IT security policy;
• Experience developing and delivering training programs and oral presentations on law enforcement subjects; and
• Experience working with foreign government officials, providing training to foreign audiences, and familiarity with U.S. foreign policy as it relates to Internet and technology issues.

Salary: The salary range for this position is $117,191 – $166,500 per annum, which includes locality pay. See OPM’s Web page at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2019/DCB.pdf.

Travel: Travel for litigation, training, and outreach is required. Litigation travel may be occasionally extensive.

Application Process: The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.

Please submit your application through USAJOBS. The list of required documents can be found in the USAJobs announcement.

1. If you do not already have an account, please create a USAjobs account before applying Create an Account. You will be able to upload your resume and supporting documents and complete your profile prior to applying.
2. Once you have an account, apply to the USAjobs vacancy: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/531868400

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Number of Positions: Few

Managing Director, Aspen Cybersecurity Group, Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has an international network of partners.

The Managing Director oversees and facilitates the work of the Aspen Cybersecurity Group – a cross-sector group of former senior government officials, Members of Congress, private sector executives, academics, journalists, and civil society leaders. This includes regularly engaging with group members and their teams to prepare for group meetings, manage processes for group products, draft talking points and opinion pieces, and develop issues memos.

More broadly, the Managing Director works in consultation with the Executive Director on other aspects of Program activities and administration, including the funding of and development of projects within the scope of the Program's interests. The Managing Director is a critical position that works in an engaged, comprehensive consultation and full partnership with the Executive Director on all aspects of program activities and administration, including the development of projects within the scope of the Program’s interests. The Managing Director will bring strong program and staff management skills and must possess significant analytical content experience in the issues the Program addresses.

The Managing Director will also represent the Program in key partnerships, policy and funder meetings, as well as become a respected leader in the field.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential duties and responsibilities are as follows. Other responsibilities may be added as necessary.

Overall

• Work closely in-sync with the Executive Director to develop and execute on program strategy and annual management plan for Program;

• Work with Executive Director on development of thought leadership for the Program.

• Identify strategic partnerships across cybersecurity and technology sectors for the Program and Cyber Group to participate in and ensure value added;

Aspen Cybersecurity Group

• Work with group leadership to develop and execute overall group strategy;

• Develop agendas for group meetings and teleconferences;

• Working with the Partnerships & Events Manager, manage all logistical elements related to group meetings, including: vendor contracts, communications, and meeting set up;

• Engage group members and their teams to ensure continued and sustained progress on substantive group issues, including writing issue memos, conducting research, managing the editorial process, and ensuring an inclusive process;

• Regularly engage stakeholders to expand opportunities to publicize the group’s work;

• Working with the Partnerships & Events Manger, execute on public events to highlight the group’s recommendations;

• Serve as primary author of group-related materials, including talking points, issue memos, and opinion pieces.

Budgeting and Fundraising

• Assist director in raising program funds from foundations, corporations and individuals, and creating new revenue streams. This includes grant writing, correspondence, relationship building, and ensuring the receipt of funds.

• Develop the budget for the Aspen Cyber Group for director approval; monitor and adjust throughout the budget cycle as required.

• Work in partnership with program leadership and Aspen partners to engage and secure conference and roundtable sponsors;

• Administer financial aspects of foundation grants and ensure Program compliance with other requirements of grants awards.

Communications:

• Oversee the editing, production and distribution of quality program reports.

• Design and implement a communications strategy that would raise the public profile of the Program and its Director. This would include, but is not limited to, the design of effective mechanisms for distributing Program materials to key policymakers, the development of press contacts, and the Program’s online presence.

• Prepare written Program materials, including reports, papers, brochures, or other documents as requested.

• Liaison to Aspen Institute administrative departments including Senior Management, Accounting, Information Technology Services, and General Administration.

Administrative:

• Set Program policies with regard to Cyber Group meetings and broader conference management: coordination, logistics, and contacts with participants. Primary responsibility for assuring quality control over all Program correspondence and conference materials.

• Manage and supervise staff. Review performance of staff, periodically and annually with Director.

• Oversight of Program finances, including managing and tracking revenue and sponsorships for the Program; keeping relevant Program staff apprised of individual project budgets and account status; preparing budgets on request; tracking Program expenditures; serving as liaison of the Program to the Aspen Institute accounting department, conference facilities, sponsors, and outside vendors; preparing financial reports; maintaining financial records for the Program; administering financial aspects of foundation grants and ensuring Program compliance with other requirements of grants awards.

• Design and implement policy and strategic convenings and roundtables, including the annual cybersecurity conference;

• Substitutes for Director as representative of the Program to Senior Management and Aspen Institute administrative committees, as well as to key partners, government leaders, funders, and sponsors in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, as needed.

Shared Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of the Program and the Aspen Institute.

• Assist in design, strategic planning, and growth of the Cybersecurity & Technology Program, and managing the Program brand.

Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• 7-10 years of related experience with track record of effective management, accomplishment, and growth;

• Proven experience in personnel and program management;

• Extensive content knowledge in the areas of cybersecurity and/or technology;

• Proven program strategist and ability to deliver high quality results; skill and proven program planning and high-quality execution skills;

• Communications savvy: Strong demonstrable writing and editing skills, track record of effective communication that engages audiences from public, private, and non-profit sectors;

• Possess entrepreneurial acumen and drive, ability to see and respond to opportunities to strengthen and/or course correct program plan to increase program reach;

• Ability to lead and manage staff as well as partners in the field;

• Comprehensive attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks;

• Experience with fundraising and program development and design; access to strategic leadership and philanthropic networks desired;

• Strong administrative skills; the ability to plan, organize, and follow through with staff and a variety of constituencies;

• Ability to work with diverse audiences;

• Thrives in and promotes high performing environment;

• Experience with publications production and dissemination helpful;

• Good interpersonal skills, including a desire to learn; and

• Willingness and ability to travel.

To apply please visit www.aspeninstitute.org/jobs and follow the instructions to apply for Managing Director. Applicants must submit cover letter and resume.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

Candidate must have the ability to work under pressure. Candidate must also have the ability to meet regular attendance policy of the Aspen Institute.

Fellowship Program, Aspen Tech Policy Hub

At the Aspen Tech Policy Hub, we take tech experts, teach them the policy process through an in-person fellowship program in the Bay Area, and encourage them to develop outside-the-box solutions to society’s problems. We model ourselves after tech incubators like Y Combinator, but train new policy thinkers and focus the impact of their ideas. We’re building new ideas for policymaking — every fellow must complete one practical policy output during their time with us — and an alumni base of technologists who understand policy and want to engage with it.

Before applying, please carefully review the fellowship details, eligibility, and Frequently Asked Questions below, and/or click here to download the details and instructions. Please take your time and fill out the application thoughtfully; we recommend writing and editing drafts before transferring them to the application form. No decisions will be made about any applications before the February 27 application deadline.

If you have additional questions, we will host a Q&A based webinar on February 6, 2019 (register here), and February 25, 2019 (register here), from 9am-10am PST/12pm-1pm EST. For Bay Area residents, we will also host a Q&A session from 4pm-5:30pm on February 6, 2019 at Toy Soldier (52 Belden Pl, San Francisco, CA 94104); the session will be followed by a happy hour for prospective applicants and friends of the fellowship. Please sign up for the happy hour here.

The Hub would like to give our sincere thanks to Craig Newmark Philanthopies, which provided the generous seed support for this fellowship program. Please see our press release here for more information.

Fellowship Details

Incubator fellows will spend a minimum of 2 months with us for mandatory programming in summer 2019, from early June to mid-August 2019. The fellowship is tentatively scheduled for June 10 through August 9, 2019. The exact start date for this pilot cohort is still tentative based on space availability and fellow scheduling. See the FAQ below for more details.

This is an intense, full time program, and we expect fellows’ full attention while they are participating. Fellows will be paid a stipend of $7,500/month for 2 months to defray their living costs in the Bay Area, with an option to apply for a 3rd month of stipend funding if the fellow is available to remain in residence for an additional month after formal programming concludes. (We will provide office space, but fellows will need to find their own housing if they are not already local.) We also have limited funds to assist with relocation to the Bay Area if needed. So long as space is available, fellows are eligible to continue to work out of our facility for an additional three months free of charge, through November 2019.

During residence, fellows will be required to create at least one practical policy output—for instance, mock legislation, toolkits for policymakers, white papers, op-eds, or an app. Fellows have to propose a possible project in their application for the fellowship, but they are not tied to working on that project once in residence. In fact, we encourage fellows to work together to identify new ideas for projects on arrival. Fellows will also be asked to participate in at least one annual public event in which we reveal the results of the fellowship; these will tentatively held in Fall 2019 in both Washington DC and San Francisco. Programming to support the development of policy outputs during the fellowship will include:

• An orientation introducing fellows to the fellowship, to the other fellows, and to the policymaking process;
• Regular classes exploring what policy is, how to identify problems, defining alternatives, developing relevant outputs, and communicating to stakeholders;
• Action-oriented practical exercises, such as ‘how to write a policy memo’ or ‘how to give an elevator pitch’, founded on real world problems provided by our partners;
• Mandatory morning pitch meetings for sharing ideas in progress;
• Partnerships with experienced policy mentors who can help provide project guidance;
• Practical resources, including designers, copy editors, legal experts, and communications specialists to facilitate projects; and
• Evening dinners with top corporate and government policy experts, sharing off the record experiences about how things get done.

To ‘exit’ the program at the conclusion of the fellowship, we will help Hub fellows share their outputs during a meeting with a relevant stakeholder, which could be a federal or state government employee, company employee, standards body, or other stakeholder relevant to the issue. (Travel will be paid if these stakeholders are outside the Bay Area.)

Eligibility

We are looking for people with three key characteristics:

1. Applicants should have significant professional experience with technology.
   
   For instance, applicants might work as an engineer, computer scientist, or business executive at a technology company; might be trained as a data scientist or in human-computer interaction; might work at a university or at a think tank studying cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or the Internet of Things; or might have professional technology experience such as serving as a patent lawyer. Please note these are just illustrative examples; they are not intended to limit eligibility to these categories.
2. Applicants should show potential to apply their technology experience to affecting policy and social change.

   They should be passionate about solving the world’s problems, and should be able to clearly articulate creative, innovative ideas about the ways in which they want to make a difference and how their experience will help them do that. We are particularly interested in applicants who are passionate about problems in four priority areas:

   1. Cybersecurity;
   2. The effects of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, and quantum computing;
   3. Protecting democracy, combating disinformation or misinformation, and election security; and
   4. Using technology to help at-risk populations or encourage social justice.
3. Applicants have not yet significantly explored their potential to enact change through policy.

   This is an introductory program to the policymaking process, and applicants with significant past policy experience are likely to be too advanced for this program. While all are welcome to apply, we will prioritize applicants who do not have significant previous policy experience (e.g., a master’s in public policy; past experience working in a policy role)

Other requirements for the program include:

• Applicant(s) must be at least 21 years of age by the start of the program.
• Applicant(s) must be fluent in English.
• Applicant(s) must be able to make a full-time commitment to the incubator process for a minimum of 2 months between June 2019 and August 2019, and be able to reside in person in the Bay Area during that time.
• Applicant(s) must have legal status to work and reside in the United States.
• Applicants must have a passion for changing the world, and an interest in learning how technology and policy can work together to achieve change.

Students are eligible to apply, but please note that, due to the requirement for significant professional experience in technology, students without work experience are unlikely to be strong candidates for acceptance. (This being said, this is a pilot program and all assumptions are just that — assumptions. So we urge you to apply and prove us wrong!)

If you are ineligible for the program but still would like to get involved with the Aspen Tech Policy Hub, please email aspentechpolicyhub@aspeninstitute.org or sign up for our listserv. We hope to diversify the types of fellows we can accept in future cohorts.

Advocacy Counsel, Human Rights First

JOB TITLE: Advocacy Counsel

DEPARTMENT: Advocacy

LOCATION: Washington, DC

REPORTS TO: Director, National Security Advocacy

JOB CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time; Exempt; Non-Union

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Advocacy Counsel is responsible for implementing and contributing to the development of strategies to achieve objectives at the intersection of human rights and national security and other organizational priorities, as needed. The Advocacy Counsel reports to and acts under the direction and guidance of the Director for National Security Advocacy.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct research and prepare original analyses, briefs, recommendations, legislation, executive branch documents, advocacy and press materials, talking points, blogs, social media content, amicus briefs, and other materials to advance the organization’s advocacy objectives.

• Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with colleagues in civil society, the military and other national security-related agencies and departments, issue coalitions and working groups, Hill staff, current and former policymakers, legal and policy experts, journalists, and other stakeholders, in furtherance of organizational objectives.

• Serve as an expert and spokesperson on Human Rights First’s priority issues, including but not limited to Guantanamo and other aspects of indefinite detention and military trials; policies related to drone strikes and other uses of force; torture and detainee treatment; and wartime counterterrorism frameworks such as the 9/11 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF).

• Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, workshops, and other external events.

• Support and assist the Director for National Security Advocacy on critical tasks, including:

  • Setting program objectives and priorities where Human Rights First can make a unique and measurable impact

  • Developing and implementing strategies to achieve national security advocacy objectives

  • Collaborating with the Development Team and Board of Directors to ensure the long-term sustainability of the national security program

  • Drafting funder proposals and grant reports

  • Developing and managing the annual program budget

  • Supervising interns and volunteers

• As needed, work across issue areas and function as part of campaign teams, special projects, or working groups to advance the organization’s objectives.

• Other duties as requested based on organizational need.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• J.D. or other advanced degree in public policy, international affairs, human rights, national security, or another relevant field.

• Experience working in the executive or legislative branches or conducting policy advocacy preferred.

• Familiarity with U.S. governmental institutions and U.S. and international law related to national security and human rights.

• Strong legal and policy research skills, including the ability to monitor and analyze relevant national and international legal and political developments.

• Strong organizational and analytical skills, excellent political judgment, and ability to think strategically.

• A high degree of initiative; and the ability to thrive and multi-task in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and deliver high quality results; to work successfully across organization lines and with a diverse team of colleagues; to work in a variety of U.S. and international settings (including governmental, legal, advocacy and the media).

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills; demonstrated ability to translate the human rights impacts of issues to a variety of audiences (including policymakers and the media) and effectively edit the written work of others.

• Demonstrated ability to quickly comprehend, internalize, and demonstrate expertise in complex policy issues.

• Ability to develop and implement strategies to achieve concrete and measurable outcomes in a politically challenging legislative environment.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively and persuasively interact with the press. Communications experience preferred.

• Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with advocacy partners such as senior-level former government officials, retired military leaders, diplomats, or intelligence officials. Outreach and engagement experience preferred.

• Fluency in English.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Open until filled.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Interested candidates should submit a Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, List of references and Writing Sample. All in PDF format.

Only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews. No phone calls, please.

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBT people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives help make our advocacy work stronger and more effective.

Attorney-Advisor, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB)

Attorney, Central Intelligence Agency

The Central Intelligence Agency is seeking highly qualified candidates to join CIA’s Office of General Counsel. We are actively recruiting exceptional attorneys with a wide variety of backgrounds and experience levels. We seek attorneys with experience in areas including government contracts, technology and cyber-related law, national security law, employment, ethics, privacy, litigation, and federal appropriations law, among others. Prior national security experience is welcome but not required. If this opportunity sounds interesting to you, please visit our website for additional information and application instructions.

Associate Vice President, Public Affairs, R Street Institute

Are you a forward thinker? Do you have great ideas about nonprofit branding and communications? Are you inspired by a dynamic work environment and passionate, well-reasoned peers? Do you have a record of getting results and leading dynamic, talented teams? Are you committed to free markets and real solutions? If your answer is unequivocally yes, then the R Street Institute needs you as our Associate Vice President of Public Affairs to oversee our outreach and communications efforts.

This is not a typical communications or government affairs job and the R Street Institute isn’t a typical think tank. This position will focus on managing and leading; it is not a role as our chief media spokesperson or person who does the most outreach on the Hill. This role requires a visionary who can put all of the pieces together to increase our impact and build a great think tank brand.

About us first: We’re a quirky, right-of-center libertarian think tank with a budget of over $10 million, nearly 70 full-time staff and a great work culture that landed us on Washingtonian Magazine’s Great Places to Work list in April 2019. We have offices around the country, although most of our staff are in Washington, D.C. Our staff frequently testifies before Congress and has its work published by the nation’s leading media outlets.

You will be charged with bringing already successful communications and outreach efforts to the next level by building an integrated branding and marketing strategy for us as an institution. This job involves leading a team and integrating our public affairs and outreach strategies to maximize our impact on public policy. In ways consistent with our brand and desired impact, you will strive to improve impact metrics such as testimonies before Congress and op-eds placed in top publications.

Your typical day at R Street may include coordinating with our director of state government affairs to figure out which hearings to target for engagement over the next month, working with our communications and digital heads to ensure that a new advertising campaign on Facebook is consistent with our brand, helping interview a new communications staffer, reviewing progress on a new strategy to increase the number of invited testimonies we give before Congress and helping our commercial freedom team figure out how best to deploy resources for a new effort on birth control access.

Other Aspects of Your Role

• Oversee the directors of communications, federal and state affairs and, in doing so, the entire government affairs and communications staffs.
• Serve as chief architect and custodian of R Street’s brand.
• Coordinate, in concert with team members, communications and legislative educational outreach strategies to spread R Street’s work both federally and at the state level.
• Oversee efforts to build and manage issue-based coalitions.
• Assure the timely, high-quality completion of deliverables associated with the communications, federal affairs and state affairs teams.

Skills, Qualifications and Everything Else You Should Have

• The number one criterion is management experience, especially involving primary responsibility for full-time staff in a public-policy-oriented setting.
• Experience in communications, outreach and/or public relations.
• Ability to communicate clear performance expectations and motivate staff to drive results.
• A passion for mentoring and developing talent.
• A dedication to producing high-quality outputs that delight our stakeholders.
• No specific educational background is required, although we expect that most people we select to interview will have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many will have an advanced degree as well.
• A passion for free markets and limited, effective government.
• A sense of humor and a desire to grow with a dynamic organization.

We understand that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational and volunteer experiences. If you believe you have the transferable skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this role, we encourage you to apply. Proven ability to get results can always substitute for formal credentials, but no credentials can substitute for a record of achievement.

This is a full-time job based in Washington, D.C. and requires a daily presence in our office as well as some travel throughout the United States. R Street is growing rapidly but remains a close-knit team.

R Street strives to provide a compensation package superior to those at other think tanks and nonprofits. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide a health insurance option entirely paid by the employer (even for families), wellness benefits, an employer-subsidized mobile phones benefit, 401(k) contributions with up to a four percent match (fully vested from the beginning) and an exceptionally generous vacation policy.

R Street does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, era of military service, gender identity, relationship structure or anything else that's illegal, immoral or stupid to use as a basis for hiring.

We currently plan to accept applications for this job until filled. We will contact ideal individuals for video conference interviews and conduct them on a rolling basis. Following these interviews, individuals will be asked to complete an assessment and we will hold longer in-person interviews in our Washington, D.C. office for selected candidates.

Don’t wait any longer! To apply, please upload a cover letter and resume in Microsoft Word or PDF format.