Consultant, Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Project

Application Deadline: December 31, 2016

Philip Alston, John Norton Pomeroy Professor of Law and Faculty Director and Co-Chair of the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ), is seeking to hire a Consultant for CHRGJ’s Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Project, which provides assistance to Professor Alston’s mandate as UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights.

Professor Alston was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as Special Rapporteur in June 2014. The mandate consists of the presentation of thematic reports to the Human Rights Council and to the UN General Assembly, undertaking official country visits, and sending letters to governments, and other relevant entities, in situations in which a violation of international human rights law is alleged to have taken place.

The Consultant will primarily perform research for a thematic report for the Human Rights Council. There may also be opportunities to become involved in other aspects of the work of the mandate.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conducting research in the area of human rights, more specifically the interaction between poverty and civil and political rights
• Drafting research memoranda
• Consulting with academic experts, NGOs, international organizations and others in relation to the research topic

Qualifications:

• Solid working knowledge of the international human rights system and insight into current issues in human rights discourse and practice
• A proven dedication to human rights issues, as evidenced through previous education, employment, or scholarship
• Proven excellence in research and writing
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and use discretion
• Knowledge of an official UN language, other than English, would be an advantage
• Knowledge in the fields of poverty alleviation and development and the relationship between poverty, development and human rights would be an asset

Offer:

The consultancy will be for a period of 4 months, full-time. Consultancy fee to be discussed upon hiring.

Start date:

As soon as possible.

To Apply:

Send a resume and cover letter to christiaan.vanveen@law.nyu.edu by December 31, 2016.

All applications will be considered, but preference will be given to those able to perform the consultancy from New York.