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Human Rights Lawyer Job Opportunity

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) is an independent, non-profit and strictly non-partisan organization that promotes human rights and the rule of law by documenting and reporting on human rights abuses in Iran. IHRDC's in-depth reports and legal analysis are published in Persian and English and disseminated world-wide.  The IHRDC focuses on allegations of the most serious violations of human rights, such as murder, torture, unlawful imprisonment, enforced disappearance, sexual violence, and persecution on political, religious or gender grounds.

A key component of the mission of the IHRDC is the Aadel human rights database, an archive of video, images, audio and documents relating to human rights abuses in Iran.  The documents, in English and Farsi (Persian), are available to the public on IHRDC’s website, www.iranhrdc.org.  The database is fully searchable.

Available Position

The IHRDC currently has an opening for a Human Rights Lawyer (HRL).  The principal function of the HRL is to act as legal counsel and project manager on all aspects of international human rights and humanitarian law as they apply to thematic case studies of violations in Iran.  The HRL will interview witnesses, prepare witness statements, and research and draft project reports.  The HRL will also edit pieces in English for IHRDC’s “Inside Iran” feature – a running column of human rights reporting from inside Iran (http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/news/inside-iran/index.1.html).

The position is available now.  Salary offered will be between $48,000 and $52,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.  The position offers excellent medical and retirement benefits.

Responsibilities

  • Researching, drafting, editing and reviewing project reports and thematic case studies.
  • Editing pieces for IHRDC’s “Inside Iran” feature (in English).
  • Conducting interviews of witnesses and victims telephonically and in person, and drafting witness statements.  Ability to conduct investigations amongst traumatized populations and, on occasion, in politically sensitive environments.
  • Researching relevant international treaty and customary law, in addition to case law of international and regional human rights courts and war crimes tribunals.
  • Researching relevant civil and criminal laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran and other jurisdictions, where appropriate.
  • Assisting in the maintenance of the Aadel collection (the IHRDC’s human rights database) and developing relationships with the custodians of private human rights document collections.
  • Supervising and monitoring the progress of researchers, project assistants and interns.
  • Representing the IHRDC in human rights conferences and workshops, and fostering relationships with local, national and international organizations dedicated to the advancement of human rights.

 

Job Qualifications

Law degree (J.D. or L.L.B., L.L.M.) required.  Excellent legal analysis and writing skills required.  Ability to read, speak, and understand Farsi (Persian) and English is required.  Farsi (Persian) writing ability is preferred.

Knowledge particularly of Iran or of the Middle East, especially with regard to human rights issues, is desirable.  Knowledge of international human rights, humanitarian law and public international law is highly desirable.  Experience interviewing witnesses and taking statements is an asset.    

Candidates must be able to relocate to New Haven, Connecticut, and be able to travel domestically and internationally.  

To Apply

Applicants should email their resume, cover letter and an unedited writing sample by February 17, 2012 to jobs@iranhrdc.org.

 

Internship Opportunity—For Immediate Posting

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center seeks the immediate placement of an intern to assist with the research and drafting of a report documenting human rights abuses against Iran’s Kurdish minority. The intern will assist the attorney leading the project on factual research for the report, obtained from public source information in both digital and print media. The legal intern will also monitor human rights developments in Iran, draft documents, translate Farsi documents into English, and compile human rights-related documents issued by governments and nongovernmental organizations.

Applicants should possess strong research skills. Preference will be given to applicants that speak, read and write Farsi. Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in human rights and preferably some basic knowledge about Iran and the Middle East.

While internships are generally unpaid, interns enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate academic program are often able to arrange academic credit and/or work-study funding. Students should check with their academic programs for requirements.

Interested applicants should e-mail a letter of interest, resume, and a brief, unedited writing sample to jobs@iranhrdc.org.

Translators

IHRDC welcomes applications from qualified, experienced Persian translators for contracting out translation work. The documents require translation from English to Persian and vice versa. Some documents contain legal terminology; all contain human rights terms. To apply, please send a cover letter and C.V. indicating legal or nonlegal skills, relevant qualifications and two references to jobs@iranhrdc.org

2012 Internship Opportunity

IHRDC invites applications from law school students seeking internships. Interns can expect to perform the following:

• legal research in Iranian law and international human rights law;

• factual research on human rights topics including murder, torture, gender-related violence, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings;

• drafting of documents relating to human rights violations;

• gathering, categorizing and compiling human rights-related documents issued by governments, media, and nongovernmental organizations; and

• assistance in the development of the IHRDC’s human rights database

IHRDC particularly welcomes applications from students with a background in human rights law, or those with an ability to speak, read and write Persian. Applicants should email their resume, cover letter, and writing sample to jobs@iranhrdc.org

Please include “Fall 2012 Internship” in the subject of the email.

Volunteers and Interns

IHRDC welcomes the assistance of volunteers and interns with a variety of skill sets. Our volunteers include students eager to learn skills that will apply to their future professions, young professionals looking to use their extra time to promote human rights, and individuals using what they have learned over many years to assist a growing organization. Volunteers and interns will be expected to work at least 10-20 hours per week under the direction of the Executive Director.

Farsi-literate Volunteers and Interns: IHRDC particularly welcomes volunteers and interns with the ability to read Farsi.

Development Volunteers and Interns: Candidates should have an interest in fundraising, program development, and non-profit management. Experience working for a non-profit in one of these capacities is highly desirable but not necessary.

Research Volunteers and Interns: IHRDC’s internship program exposes law and university students to international human rights law and practice as well as the human rights situation in Iran. Applicants should email their resume and a cover letter to jobs@iranhrdc.org.

Ways to Get Involved:

There are many ways to get involved with the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. We’ve listed as many as we could below, but if you have additional ideas, please let our development team know (info@iranhrdc.org). Many supporters, volunteers and foundations have made IHRDC what it is today, and it is the support of you and others like you that will allow the organization to continue growing, and continue to promote accountability, respect for human rights and rule of law in Iran.

Tell a Friend about IHRDC

The easiest way to get involved is to let others know that you support what we’re doing. You can easily email somebody or share our work with your network by sending them our link. www.iranhrdc.org

You can also become a fan on Facebook and Twitter and Balatarin.

Sign Up for Our E-Mail List

This is the best way to stay updated on the human rights situation in Iran.

Still Looking?

Here is a list of the many other ways you can help us:

• Let your local International Service Clubs know about the IHRDC’s efforts

• Blog about us

• Share an IHRDC post with your Facebook network

• Tell someone you know in the media about what we are doing

• Email 10 friends and tell them you support us and that they should too

• Reach out to 5 bloggers and let them know what we are doing

• Make us your charity on GoodSearch

• Have your birthday present be a one time, or even a monthly investment in the future of Iran.

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