Job
Board Liaison

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Organization Name: Human Rights Watch
Location: New York City, United States
Apply email: Not Specified
Start Date: 10 Sep 2019, 11:18 am
Closing Date: 09 Oct 2019, 12:00 am

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
BOARD LIAISON
Executive Office
New York
Application Deadline: October 11, 2019

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a highly-qualified applicant for the position of Board Liaison to support HRW’s Board of Directors. This position is based in New York and reports to the Strategic Planning & Integration Director, based in New York, and the Board and Council Director, based in Paris.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serve as the primary point of contact for Board member inquiries, including contact information, calendar, events and travel inquiries, and program materials;

2. Execute the preparation of Board and select committee meeting materials and briefing packets;
• Work closely with staff across departments such as Finance, Development, Human Resources, Communications, Legal, General Counsel to prepare Board meeting agendas and compile meeting materials
• Attend all Board meetings and select committee meetings; record minutes at relevant meetings and track action items
• Draft materials including minutes, memos, action items for approval and other related documents
• Track decisions requiring Board-level approval and coordinate progress with relevant staff and board members

3. Coordinate with Development & Outreach staff in managing logistics for Board meetings, select committee meetings, and international / Advocacy Board trips;
• Set Board calendar in consultation with executive staff and Board leadership
• Develop staffing plan and play a lead role in execution of the trips
• Create meeting or event timeline, prepare and distribute notifications and materials, manage all correspondence around meeting/event execution
• Draft invitation letters and liaise with external guests if appropriate
• Manage the invitation list and track RSVPs for all Board meetings, committee meetings, Board trips, and additional Board related events;
• Troubleshoot issues at Board meetings ranging from venue and A/V matters to reformulation of the agenda

4. Support the overall execution of Board governance, including:
• Ongoing maintenance of Board member expectations, committee charters and goals, and Board evaluations
• Creating, organizing, and refreshing the Board orientation materials and coordinating the timely onboarding of new board members
• Managing ad hoc projects and retreats related to Board governance matters

5. Work closely with the Chairs of the Nominating Committee and Governance Committee to support meeting projects, activities, and create meeting agendas;

6. Manage the Board pipeline process and lists and work directly with the Board Diversity Working Group;
• Maintain up-to-date information on all potential Board prospects through regular communication with the Leadership Gifts team, city directors, program staff, executive staff, and existing Board members
• Help develop cultivation plans with the parties mentioned above

7. Partner closely with senior Development & Outreach staff to support board recruitment and board member cultivation and engagement;
• Be knowledgeable about Board giving, networking, and background information to help inform engagement plans
• Keep staff informed of and prepared for upcoming commitments and responsibilities relating to the Board, and ensure appropriate follow-up
• Proactively identify ways the staff can support the Board as ambassadors of HRW

8. Draft routine correspondence on behalf of Board leadership, executive staff, and Board members;
• Coordinate and draft emails from staff to the Board (organizational initiatives, impact stories, announcements)
• Acknowledgement letters
• Press releases regarding major Board announcements
• Cover memos
• Invitations

9. Provide input to the Leadership Gifts team and Development Operations team based on relationships with individual Board members and insights into activities of the Board at large; work with Leadership Gifts Team to track and share with the ED and DED individual Board member giving and engagement levels;

10. Serve as lead contact with vendors and venue contacts for Board meetings and Board related events including matters related to A/V, catering, security, and transportation;

11. Assist in managing the Board budget;
• Support timely tracking of expenses, invoices, and contracts for Board communication platform (BoardEffect), consultants (diversity, governance, travel)
• Work with Finance to maintain an up to date budget for Board activities

12. Carry out other duties as required.


QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: An undergraduate degree in communications, social sciences, or related studies is required.

Experience: 3+ years of related experience in high level administration support role is required. Experience working with a wide range of people, such as boards of directors, prominent officials, donors or the public is required. Experience in nonprofit organizations is preferred; event planning or other fundraising experience is highly desirable.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Creativity, initiative, follow-through and excellent organizational skills are required.

2. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

3. The ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple priorities, working effectively toward deadlines is required.

4. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within Human Rights Watch as well as with external partners are required.

5. Highly organized and detail oriented and ability to execute projects with minimal guidance is required.

6. Solid judgment, discretion, and critical thinking skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality and to think proactively and holistically.

7. Demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues and the capacity to master and represent the mission and programs of Human Rights Watch are highly desirable.

8. Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a team of talented professionals in multiple global locations and to work strategically and collaboratively across departments is required.

9. Commitment to and experience working with staff, vendors, and partners in a positive, collaborative, diverse, and inclusive team environment is required.

10. Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations is required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY: Please apply immediately or by October 11, 2019 by visiting our online job portal at https://www.hrw.org/careers and attaching a letter of interest, resume or CV, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others), preferably as PDF files. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email recruitment@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.