The Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) is an international NGO based in Madrid and New York which works for the recognition and enforcement of economic, social and cultural rights as a tool for promoting social justice and human dignity. CESR undertakes research, advocacy and capacity-building activities.
CESR is seeking to recruit an experienced and qualified Senior Researcher, to play a leading role in advancing the organization???s research and advocacy agenda. Reporting to CESR???s Program Director, the senior researcher will manage and take the lead on specific research projects, as well as overseeing the quality and content of research outputs produced by other staff, research fellows and consultants. He or she will work closely with the Program Director in planning and managing the organization???s research priorities.
Responsibilities
- Playing a leading role in developing the organization???s research strategy in line with CESR???s mission and objectives
- Designing, coordinating and implementing research and advocacy projects on a range of economic and social rights issues
- Using qualitative and quantitative field and desk-based research methods to investigate, analyze and document patterns of economic and social rights violations;
- Producing authoritative and compelling reports on selected countries and themes, as well as other research, advocacy and training materials
- Managing and overseeing complex research and advocacy projects ,including leading multidisciplinary investigation teams
- Supervising the work of research staff, including external fellows and consultants, ensuring conformity with the highest standards of accuracy and independence
- Forging and maintaining excellent working relationships with human rights activists, development practitioners, and other relevant partners and contacts
- Devising and implementing effective advocacy strategies in collaboration with the affected communities and civil society partners
- Contributing to the development of effective tools and methodologies for economic and social rights research worldwide
- Undertaking training and capacity-building activities internally and externally on economic and social rights issues and research methods.
Requirements
CESR is seeking an experienced and innovative research professional with a track record of high-quality research in an environment related to human rights, development and social and economic justice. He/she should combine strong research and policy analysis skills with a proven commitment to advocacy for policy change. The ideal candidate will have:
- A master???s degree or higher in development economics, international human rights law, political science or a related field;
- At least five years of research experience, including research management and policy analysis in a relevant field;
- Very strong knowledge of issues related to human rights, development and global social and economic policy.
- Outstanding research and analytical skills, including experience in designing and implementing research agendas to support advocacy initiatives
- A portfolio of written work demonstrating experience in producing timely and effective research, policy and advocacy documents on complex global issues;
- Experience of working with allies and partners across various civil society sectors such as development and human rights advocates, NGOs, academic institutions, policy makers, UN agencies and others;
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team, to inspire and motivate and to think creatively;
- Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of Spanish would be highly valued.
Location and start date
This position is based in CESR???s main office in Madrid; however CESR will also consider qualified candidates who are willing to be based in our New York City office. In this case, candidates must have availability to travel to and spend time in Madrid as required. The senior researcher will also be required to travel to undertake field-research, and attend work-related meetings and events. CESR aims to fill the position as soon as possible. CESR offers a competitive salary and benefits package, reflecting best practice in the sector and commensurate with experience and CESR???s internal equity standards.
How to apply
To apply, please send a cover letter, a CV, an original writing sample (preferably in English) and the names and contact information of two references to Constanza Niell (jobs@cesr.org). Applications should be received no later than April 25.
Because of the anticipated volume of applications, we regret that we are unable to answer individual queries in relation to posts or on the progress of individual applications.
Please write ???Senior Researcher position??? in the subject line.
About CESR
Founded in 1993, CESR was one of the first international non-governmental organizations dedicated to the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights as human rights. We seek to influence policy through an interdisciplinary approach, combining rigorous socioeconomic analysis and other social science perspectives with the tools and techniques of international human rights advocacy.
CESR???s methods include:
- Conducting innovative research to expose the failure of governments to honor their economic and social rights obligations;.
- Advocating for legal and political accountability and for specific policy changes;
- Collaborating with civil society organizations to ensure that projects are driven by the concerns of affected communities; and
- Raising awareness about the human rights dimensions of poverty and inequality, and the need for public policy-making to be guided by economic and social rights principles.
CESR currently has an international team of eight professional staff from different countries and backgrounds, based in Madrid and New York. The staff team is complemented by research fellows, interns and external consultants. The executive director is Ignacio Saiz. Its board of directors is chaired by Alicia Yamin (Harvard Law School) and includes other leading experts from the human rights and development fields.
Visit our Web site for more information.