ESCR-NET PROGRAM COORDINATOR
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND GRASSROOTS WORKING GROUP
The International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) is a collaborative
initiative of groups and individuals from around the world working to secure economic and
social justice through human rights. ESCR-Net seeks to strengthen the field of all human rights,
with a special focus on economic, social and cultural rights, and further develop the tools for
achieving their promotion, protection and fulfillment. Through ESCR-Net, groups and individuals
exchange information, develop a collective voice, amplify their actions, develop new tools and
strategies. By facilitating joint actions, enhancing communications and building solidarity across
regions, the Network seeks to build a global movement to make human rights and social justice
a reality for all.
ESCR-Net is seeking a new staff member to serve as one of four key program staff in the
Secretariat providing support and coordination to ESCR-Net’s thematic working groups and
initiatives as well as supporting ESCR-Net’s fundraising efforts, amongst other functions. The
candidate will be primarily responsible for coordinating and managing thematic work related to
ESCR-Net’s Social Movements and Grassroots Working Group with a strong focus on the right to
land, territory and natural resources as well as development-induced displacement.
For a list of current areas of work, please visit our website at www.escr-net.org
Specific Responsibilities include:
 Coordinate the functioning of ESCR-Net’s Social Movement Working Group (SMWG),
acting as a key liaison person with working group coordinators, member organizations
and other participants in the Network to facilitate joint actions and informationsharing;
 Provide coordination for SMWG projects as well as other cross-cutting projects related
to membership, outreach and new advocacy or capacity-building initiatives; organize
and facilitate international meetings, as well as conference calls;
 Ensure coordination, dialogue and integration of the projects developed within the
SMWG throughout the broader Network;
 Facilitate and contribute to development of materials related to ESCR and social
movements in partnership with other organizations, especially in relation to the human
rights to land, territory and natural resources and the issue of development-induced
displacement, including through the development ofworkshops and training materials;
 Identify key partners and conduct organizational outreach as necessary, particularly
related to the issues of land, territory and natural resources as well as development
induced displacement;
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Support ESCR-Net’s system of emergency responses;
Research and draft reports and advocacy tools related to ESCR and social movements,
often based on the contributions of and in collaboration with ESCR-Net members;
Moderate discussion groups through ESCR-Net’s thematic listservs, facilitate
information exchange, engage groups to participate and identify strategic opportunities
for collaborative work or capacity building;
Field queries and other requests from ESCR-Net members and other groups working in
the field of human rights, as well as update the website and produce informational
materials as necessary;
Travel internationally in relationship to ESCR-Net activities and areas of work as
necessary;
Undertake fundraising activities, including drafting proposals, reports and identifying
funders;
Report to Director, Deputy Director and/or other programmatic staff as requested.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is someone who has substantive knowledge of the field of human rights,
including ESC rights and issues surrounding land, territory and natural resources and forced
displacement. The candidate should have strong interpersonal and coordination skills; work well
in collaborative processes, especially between international organizations and grassroots
groups; is energized by and comfortable with a wide range of organizations, working styles, and
issues.
Candidates should have the following qualifications (required):
 In-depth knowledge of economic, social and cultural rights, and a minimum of 3 years
experience working in the field of human rights;
 Strong knowledge of international human rights law and mechanisms, and an
understanding of the application of human rights law in domestic systems;
 Strong organization, coordination and interpersonal skills, as well as creativity to
support and facilitate collaborative projects and advocacy work amongst Network
members;
 Good political judgment and strong facilitation skills to work with a wide range of civil
society groups and interests internationally; capacity to do outreach and to work
effectively and comfortably with diverse human rights organizations, activists and
government officials;
 Cultural sensitivity and an ability to work comfortably in diverse countries/cultural
settings.
 Capacity to plan, prioritize and to juggle multiple demands, and to work comfortably in a
small, collegial office environment; openness and flexibility to take on different
administrative and support tasks;
 Ability to quickly grasp new issues through research and in dialogue with members; and
 Fluency in oral and written English, with excellent writing skills.
In addition to the qualifications noted above, the following skills and experiences are desirable:
 Knowledge of or fluency in other languages, especially Spanish, French, Portuguese,
Arabic, or Hindi;
 Effective public speaking skills;
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A Master’s level degree in law, politics, public policy, international development or
related field
Familiarity with other ESCR-Net areas of work, particularly budget analysis, adjudication,
corporate accountability and economic policy
Experience working with frontline advocates on the issue of development-induced
displacement;
Experience managing new online/offline tools for communication and collaboration,
including for example the use of online dialogues, podcasts/radio interviews, data
aggregation techniques, SMS/text, real-time online forums, etc.;
Experience as a trainer/facilitator in capacity-building projects;
Experience working with Social Movements; and
Experience with fundraising.
Salary and Benefits
ESCR-Net, a project of the Tides Center, offers competitive compensation and generous
employer-paid benefits including medical, dental and vision, and generous vacation and paid
leave. The position is based in New York City and includes international travel.
To Apply
Please send a curriculum vitae, a letter of interest and contact information for 3 references by
January 24th to ESCR-Net by email (escr-net@escr-net.org) using Social Movement Working
Group Search as the subject of your email. It is preferred that all materials be submitted by
email, but if that is not possible then please send your application by fax to +1 (212) 681-1241.
We encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible as applications will be
reviewed on a rolling basis.
* In order to organize and plan internal work, we ask applicants to indicate if they have
authorization to work in the United States.
Due to the high volume of responses we have received in the past, we will not be able to
confirm receipt of applications or answer queries. Only short-listed candidates will be
contacted. Thank you for your understanding during this process.
ESCR-Net, a Project of the Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly
encourage and seek applications from women, and people of color, including bilingual and
bicultural individuals, as well as members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex,
national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity,
color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or the conditions Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS Related Conditions (ARC). Applicants with Disabilities:
Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in
the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.