Jobs & Opportunities

       

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights encourages and appreciates all assistance in the fight for social justice. Listings for volunteer, internship and employment opportunities have been provided.

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights is committed to attracting and maintaining a high quality, dedicated, and diverse work force. The RFK Center 501c3 not for profit organization and an equal opportunity employer.

• Director, RFK Partners for Human Rights (Washington, DC)
• Communications Director (New York, NY)
• RFK Young Leaders Fellow, Speak Truth To Power (New York, NY)
• Advocacy Officer, RFK Partners for Human Rights (Washington, DC)
• Development Associate, (Washington, DC)
• Manager of Education Programming, RFK Compass Program (New York, NY)

DIRECTOR, RFK PARTNERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (WASHINGTON, DC)

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, a progressive human rights organization based in Washington, DC, seeks a Director for the RFK Partners for Human Rights, one of its core programs, focused on domestic and international human rights advocacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a member of the RFK Center leadership team, the RFK PHR Director works with directors of other RFK core programs to develop strategic objectives and a budget as well as to seek partnerships and identify synergies across program lines and externally.
• Responsible for hiring staff  and supervising their work;
• Represents PHR and speaks on behalf of the RFK Center before international bodies, government and inter-governmental agencies, civil society, the media, at public meetings, conferences, and events;
• Considers and determines, with  staff, positions on human rights issues of concern to PHR;
• Drafts and reviews reports, statements, advocacy correspondence, and other RFK Center documents;
• Plans and manages PHR development work, maintains contact with foundation staff, prepares or supervises preparation of grant proposals;
• Carries out work not specific to particular laureates’ countries, including UN work and thematic human rights projects;
• Coordinates the RFK Human Rights Award selection process, supervises staff research on nominees and communicates with RFK Human Rights Award judges.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the field of domestic and international human rights; strong working knowledge of the United Nations system, regional human rights systems, and multi-lateral institutions; experience maintaining active contact with key stakeholders in the aforementioned systems to support the goals and objectives of the RFK Human Rights Award Laureates.

• A record of commitment to the ideals Robert F. Kennedy espoused;
• At least 10 years extensive professional experience in human rights;
• Strong analytical abilities and knowledge of contemporary human rights and related political and economic issues;
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including editing experience;
• Proven ability to work well with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds;
• Experience fostering and managing a creative, effective, and hardworking staff;
• Experience developing and implementing goal-oriented advocacy strategies and in carrying out legislative and executive-branch advocacy;
• A record of success in seeking program support from foundations and other donors and in administering grant-supported programs;
• Clear vision of a strong and dynamic human rights program;
• An advanced degree in law, international relations, public policy, or other relevant field; and
• Fluency in Arabic, French, or Spanish is strongly preferred.

Please send a cover letter, resume, three references, and writing samples to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Subject line: RFK Center

Communications Director—Writer/Editor/Speechwriter

THE ORGANIZATION

For 42 years, The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights is a human rights organization that works to realize Robert Kennedy’s dream of a more peaceful and just world. Forging long-term partnerships through the RFK Partners for Human Rights, we assist human rights defenders on the cutting-edge of social change who have won the RFK Human Rights Award. We support investigative journalists and authors who bring light to injustice through the RFK Book and Journalism Awards. Through  Speak Truth To Power, the RFK human rights education program, we tell the stories of human rights defenders and offer students and the broader public alike a tool kit for action to create change in their classrooms, communities, countries, and our shared world. Partnering with RFK Europe, we provide human rights education advocacy programs to schools and communities across the continent. Through a joint effort with the Boston-based RFK Children's Action Corps, we urge legislative reform of juvenile justice systems. The RFK Compass Program explores and promotes the connectivity between the duties of investment fiduciaries (optimizing risk-adjusted returns), and public interest considerations including human rights, the environment, social and governance issues.

THE POSITION

The RFK Center seeks a dynamic writer/editor/speechwriter who can work with the senior leadership team to communicate the mission, goals, and activities of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights to various audiences. The job is flexible in terms of seniority and is based in the RFK Center’s New York office.  The position will report to the Director of Operations and work in close partnership with RFK Center President, Executive Director, and program directors.

The RFK Center seeks a talented and energetic writer who can work extremely closely with senior staff members to craft messages, capture the organization’s “voice,” and strengthen the RFK center’s global brand. S/he will play a central role on an enthusiastic, international team working in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Writing:

• Establish a clear RFK Center “voice,” maintaining the highest standards for clarity and grammatical style, adapted as needed to media including print, broadcast, web, social media, and spoken words.
• Writing assignments include but are not limited to composition and/or editorial review of: Press releases, op-ed pieces, foundation requests, brochures, website copy, emails, speeches, event scripts, thank you letters, signage, broadcast scripts, education curriculum, business agreements, programmatic reports, annual reports, and so on.

Media Outreach

• Keep an active list of contacts in media
• Book interviews for RFK Center senior staff and laureates on TV, radio, internet outlets
• Place op-eds
• Do outreach before and during events
• Work with o communications associate and other staff to maximize exposure using both traditional media and social media

Communications Coordination:

• In the context of the mission and vision, establish and build a clear, coherent RFK Center brand identity
• Understand key target audiences and how to reach them
• Raise the organization’s identity, building on success stories and drawing attention to programmatic work and partners
• Keep the RFK team on message strategy—maintaining focus on the highest standards for all written work
• Establish strong working relationships across the RFK Center communications team and overall staff, in Washington as well as New York, to maintain seamless collaboration on written work and communications strategy across the geographic divide
• Provide writing services and editorial support to programmatic, administrative and event-related initiatives
• Work closely with staff to fully understand the purpose of their written communications
• Compose and/or edit their important pieces of writing
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with media outlets, printers, designers, consultants and other communications suppliers
• In all composition and editing, in all media, keep the messages in line with the RFK Center mission, principles, branding strategy and standards for communications excellence

CREDENTIALS

Required

• Commitment to social justice and to RFK’s mission and values
• Bachelor’s degree, MA preferred
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in social sector writing and communications
• Excellent writing and oral communications skills
• Strong working knowledge of all media channels including web and social media channels
• Ease relating to producers, publishers, editors, writers and other media colleagues
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships with people from diverse national and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to manage or coordinate a team
• Ease relating to influential, well-known individuals and high-dollar donors
• Ability to maintain high standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism, and to handle sensitive and proprietary information
• High energy, goal-directed, task-driven, results-measured work ethic
• Flexible multi-tasker
• Excellent analytical skills, organizational and time management skills, including attention to detail
• Computer proficiency in Windows Operating systems, MS Office, knowledge of and demonstrated efficiency with relationship management databases, and research databases
• Flexibility to travel on occasion

The following would be useful, but not necessary:

• Management experience, managing a team of professionals
• Familiarity and experience with international affairs and human rights
• Knowledge of languages other than English

Terms and Compensation

This is a full-time paid position

Competitive salary and benefits; salary commensurate with experience

To apply:

Reply by email only. This position will be open until filled. Send cover letter and resume entitled in subject line “Communications Search” to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

YOUNG LEADERS FELLOW, SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER (NEW YORK, NY)

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, a human rights organization based in Washington, DC, seeks a Young Leaders Fellow to be based in its New York office. Reporting to the Director of the RFK Speak Truth To Power (STTP) program in Washington, D.C., the Fellow will promote the Speak Truth To Power human rights education curriculum, initiate mentorship activities for high school students, and coordinate the work of volunteers aged 18-36.

Speak Truth To Power, a project of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, is a multi-faceted global initiative that uses the experiences of courageous defenders from around the world to educate students and others about human rights, and urge them to take action. Issues range from bullying and environmental activism to religious self-determination, slavery and political participation. Visit our website for more details about the STTP program and curriculum.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as a catalyst for efforts to implement Speak Truth To Power in New York City Schools
• Meet with and train volunteer mentors in STTP service-learning methods
• Assist STTP staff in outreach efforts to urge implementation of STTP curriculum, which includes meeting with administrators, teachers, education professionals and schools of education to promote the Speak Truth To Power curriculum
• Facilitate requests for STTP related activities at schools that implement curriculum, by providing materials, guidance and arranging visits of human rights defenders and others connected to STTP
• Work with fundraising staff and Young Leaders volunteers to plan and execute special events targeted toward young and emerging donors to continue the Young Leaders program

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have at least 2 years of experience in the fields of domestic or international human rights, education, volunteer management, fundraising and/or social work. Teaching experience is a highly-valued plus.

• Strong analytical abilities and knowledge of contemporary human rights and related political and economic issues
• Strong presentation skills
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including editing experience
• Proven ability to work well with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds
• Comfort and poise interacting with VIPs

This is a full-time, salaried, one-year position based in our Midtown East office location.

Application instructions: Applications may be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , subject line: Young Leaders Fellow. Please submit in a single attached PDF your cover letter, resume and reference sheet and paste the text of your cover letter and resume within the body of your email. We cannot consider applications that do not meet these criteria. No calls please.

ADVOCACY OFFICER, PARTNERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (WASHINGTON, DC)

Progressive human rights organization is accepting applications for an immediate opening for an Advocacy Officer, in its Washington, D.C. office, working on human rights in Southern Africa, in particular with our partner, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA).

ORGANIZATION: Founded in 1968, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (RFK Center), formerly Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, works to realize Robert Kennedy’s vision of social justice. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was established in 1984 to honor courageous leaders and activists from around the world who dedicate their lives to overcoming serious human rights violations, often at great personal risk. Each year, after a thorough nomination process, a human rights defender is named the recipient of the RFK Human Rights Award. Through its RFK Partners for Human Rights, the RFK Center forges multi-year partnerships with RFK Human Rights Award recipients (Laureates) and joins their struggle, developing long-term strategies using cutting-edge human rights advocacy tools and sustained advocacy support to effect real change in their communities. RFK Partners for Human Rights provides programmatic, legal, and technical assistance; increases public awareness of Laureates’ work; and generates domestic and international political support for the growing ranks of Laureates. The RFK Center engages a Global Advocacy Team of pro-bono experts, professional human rights staff, and the Kennedy family and their networks to advocate for the change its Laureates seek; these include changing policies and actions of governments, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions (IFIs), and corporations. The RFK Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization established to carry forward RFK’s legacy of justice and tolerance.

DUTIES: The Advocacy Officer will work with an RFK Human Rights Award Laureate to develop and implement joint domestic and international legal and advocacy strategies to achieve Laureates’ social change goals.  S/he will develop coalitions and enhance their effectiveness; produce campaign, advocacy, and legal strategies; raise public awareness, while expanding the tool set already used by the Laureates; and contribute to the capacity of the RFK Human Rights Award Laureates.  The Advocacy Officer will also initiate and lead comprehensive government advocacy strategies to support the Laureates’ strategies.  S/he will act as the main interface between the RFK Center and its Laureates.  The Advocacy Officer will provide additional support, as requested by the Director of the RFK Partners for Human Rights.

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will have substantive knowledge of human rights law and frameworks and experience with domestic and international human rights mechanisms; a working knowledge of the United Nations system, regional human rights systems and multi-lateral institutions; ability to maintain active contacts with key stakeholders in the aforementioned systems and their staff to support the goals and objectives of the RFK Human Rights Award Laureates; experience working closely with human rights defenders and grassroots partners and assisting in organizational development; strong familiarity with the U.S. Congressional legislative process and experience with Congressional advocacy; and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

An advanced degree with at least 5 years of experience in the human rights field is required.  Experience working on human rights issues in Southern Africa and experience and knowledge of organizational development strongly preferred. Fluency in French, Arabic, or Spanish is preferred. Salary commensurate with experience.

We are receiving applications on a rolling basis.  Please submit your application as soon as possible.  Start date: Immediate

If interested please e-mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and 3 references to:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Subject: Advocacy Officer Position

No calls please.

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (WASHINGTON, DC)

THE ORGANIZATION

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights is a human rights organization that works to realize Robert Kennedy’s dream of a more peaceful and just world. Forging long-term partnerships through the RFK Partners for Human Rights, we assist human rights defenders at the forefront of social change who have won the RFK Human Rights Award. We support investigative journalists and authors who bring light to injustice through the RFK Book and Journalism Awards. Through  Speak Truth To Power, the RFK human rights education program, we tell the stories of human rights defenders and offer students and the broader public alike a tool kit for action to create change in their classrooms, communities, countries, and our shared world. Partnering with RFK Europe, we provide human rights education advocacy programs to schools and communities across the continent. Through a joint effort with the Boston-based RFK Children's Action Corps, we urge legislative reform of juvenile justice systems. The RFK Compass Program explores and promotes the connectivity between the duties of investment fiduciaries (optimizing risk-adjusted returns), and public interest considerations including human rights, the environment, social and governance issues.

THE POSITION

We seek a dynamic self-starter to advance the mission, goals, and activities of the RFK Center to a range of donors and potential donors. The job is based in the RFK Center’s main Washington, DC office.  The position will report to the Director of Development, based in New York City, and work in close partnership with Senior Leadership and program staff. S/he will play a central role on an enthusiastic, international team working in a fast-paced environment. S/he will display flexibility and creativity in developing systems for a fledgling development office within an established NGO.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Cultivation:

• Manage grant preparation process, including drafting proposals and budgets; draft 1-pagers and LOI’s for potential donors; draft membership letters/emails and related material for direct mail campaign. Work with program staff to develop and refine proposal ideas.
• Aid development assistant in acknowledgment process and general follow-up activities.
• Aid in major donor outreach including Board relations, Leadership Council campaigns and events, and other major donor relations.
• Conduct prospect research into potential sources of support among individuals, foundations, corporations, and governmental entities.
• Maintain overall systems and protocols to ensure the smooth and efficient operation RFK Center’s donor relations.

Contact Management/IT:

• Manage the RFK Center’s central database, SalesForce, including all donation management: update contacts and organizations, generate reports, aid other staff in SalesForce usage.
• Manage RFK Center’s registration platform for various events; work closely with event consultants to ensure efficient registration process; manage integration between registration platform and RFK Center’s website.
• Manage integration between CRM, website, credit card processing application, and accounting software.

Financial Management:

• Track and record pledges and payments for all RFK Center events and programs.
• Process all payments submitted to the RFK Center: record payments, document back-up copies of checks and registrations, report weekly receivables to accounting department.
• Generate monthly receivables reports of overall pledges and payments; work closely with accounting staff and events consultants to ensure finances are reconciled for all events and programs.

CREDENTIALS

Required:

• Commitment to social justice and to RFK’s mission and values
• Bachelor’s degree, MA preferred
• Minimum 5 years professional experience, 3 years fundraising experience
• Excellent writing and oral communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to build and refine proposal budgets, often using creativity to make cost estimates and develop timelines
• Strong working knowledge of contact management and/or donor management databases, preferably SalesForce
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships with people from diverse national and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work independently or with a team
• Ability to maintain high standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism, and to handle sensitive and proprietary information
• High energy, goal-oriented, self-starter
• Patience and a good sense of humor
• Flexible multi-tasker
• Flexibility to travel on occasion

Desired:

• Familiarity and experience with international affairs and human rights
• Knowledge of languages other than English

No phone calls. Please submit a writing sample, cover letter, and resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Manager of Education Programming, RFK Compass Program(New York)

World-renowned nonprofit focused on human rights and social justice seeks a financial education professional to develop a dynamic continuing education program for its New York-based program with roots in the global financial industry.

For 43 years, The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights has been defending human rights and working to realize Robert Kennedy’s dream of a more peaceful and just world.

Forging long-term partnerships through the RFK Partners for Human Rights, we assist human rights defenders on the cutting-edge of social change who have won the RFK Human Rights Award. We support investigative journalists and authors who bring light to injustice through the RFK Book and Journalism Awards. Through  Speak Truth to Power, the RFK human rights education program, we tell the stories of human rights defenders and  offer students and the broader public alike a tool kit for action to create change in their classrooms, communities, countries and our shared world on child labor, trafficking, women’s rights, environmental protection and other rights the RFK defenders champion. Partnering with RFK Europe, we provide human rights education advocacy programs to schools and communities across the continent. Through a joint effort with the Boston-based RFK Children's Action Corps, we urge legislative reform of juvenile justice systems.

The RFK Compass program works with institutional investors to advance a discussion of the connections among investment performance, fiduciary duty and public interest issues to optimize risk-adjusted rates of returns and address current and future global challenges.

Fulltime salaried or contract position: To be determined in agreement with the selected candidate

Reports to: RFK Compass Director

Experience: 5 years related professional experience preferred

Education: Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree a plus

Required skills:

• Ability to conceptualize and clearly communicate the Compass Program mission, vision and education content
• Team collaborative leadership skills
• Strong entrepreneurial and enterprise building abilities
• Innovative and effective approaches to education content delivery
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Task oriented work ethic
• Computer competency: MS Office, web-based content delivery programs

Travel: Occasional

Responsibilities:

1. Facilitate the collaborative development and delivery of a profitable fiduciary-related continuing education program that: fills a void in the sustainable investing marketplace; advances the industry’s knowledge of best practices; and, spurs innovation.
   • Create the go-to-market business plan.
     • Identify the program’s market niche.
     • Identify the Compass education users and understand their needs.
     • Develop the content development strategy.
     • Determine the delivery medium/media and tonality.
     • Include the development schedule.
     • Develop the marketing strategy.
   • Create the 3-year financial plan.
     • Establish measurable objectives and guiding principles for content and its delivery.
     • Lead the RFK Compass team to develop the programmatic curriculum and component syllabuses.
   • Design the delivery model:
     • Integrate the education programming with web-based and other delivery media in ways that are innovative, entertaining and memorably deliver the content.
   • Take the offerings to market:
     • Build the program team of staff and contract service providers.
     • Develop a preemptive brand.
     • Establish pricing.
     • Implement an efficient rollout strategy.
2. Work in direct collaboration with executive, board and industry leadership.
3. Manage the orderly and steady growth of the program.
4. Establish and maintain good customer relationships throughout the sustainable investing industry.
   • Represent the Compass Program at Compass and RFKC events, investment industry events, in the media and generally to the outside world.

Salary/benefits or fee commensurate with experience.

Send resume and salary history as text within the body of the email only to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

No phone calls. No attachments.