The International Labor Rights Forum is a human rights organization that promotes dignity and justice for workers in the global economy. We hold global corporations accountable for labor rights violations in their supply chains and advance policies and laws that protect workers, in close collaboration with grassroots worker organizations around the world. More information about ILRF is available at: www.LaborRights.org.

The Legal and Policy Director will conceptualize, guide, and execute ILRF’s legal and policy advocacy across programs. A successful candidate will have broad experience working independently and within coalitions to advance workers’ rights in corporate supply chains, trade policy, and government procurement. Deep knowledge of US policy-making processes and actors, intricate familiarity with trade and labor policy mechanisms, and experience leveraging those mechanisms to advance workers’ rights is a must. The position requires excellence in articulating clear and coherent advocacy positions on complex policy issues related to social justice and workers’ rights in presentations, meetings, and in writing and in coordinating staff project teams and coalition building.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, guide, and carry out ILRF’s legal and policy advocacy strategies across the organization and provide policy advocacy leadership in various coalition-based advocacy campaigns
• Utilize existing complaint mechanisms (GSP, OECD, FTAs, etc.) in support of ILRF’s strategic campaigns, writing and filing complaints and preparing testimony as needed
• Maintain and strengthen ILRF’s leadership and innovation in testing and improving trade and development policy advocacy mechanisms
• Write and publish ILRF policy and issue briefs on selected topics, including transparency laws (due diligence), arbitration mechanisms, and the Tariff Act
• Represent ILRF in select DC-based policy roundtables (e.g. ICAR, OECD NCP advisory group, and others)
• Advise ILRF staff on legal issues and advocacy strategies and review a variety of written materials before publication
• Raise funds to sustain current programs and develop new projects and write grant proposals and reports in a timely manner

Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and legal research skills
• Ability to conceptualize, manage, and raise funds for policy advocacy programs
• Demonstrated capacity to analyze and utilize various policy levers to advance workers’ rights
• Ability to coordinate and build team strategies with ILRF staff, allies, and partners
• Ability to train and supervise staff
• Strong public speaking skills
• Diplomatic acumen and excellent judgment in managing and building relations among policy-makers and other key actors
• Experience working with U.S. policy makers, trade unions, and/or human rights advocacy organizations
• Strong understanding and experience advocating for trade policy to advance labor rights globally and/or corporate accountability policies
• Knowledge of legal and policy issues pertaining to forced labor in international labor standards and corporate policies
• Law degree or equivalent experience in legal and policy analysis
• Enthusiasm for travel domestically and internationally to represent ILRF publicly and to build ILRF’s networks and alliances

Employment Status: Full-time, exempt, management. Supervisor: Executive Director.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $78,000 – $90,000, depending on experience. ILRF has an excellent benefits package and provides 100% employer-paid health insurance.

Location: Washington, D.C.

To Apply: Send cover letter, résumé, a legal/policy writing sample, and a copy of a persuasive article/op-ed for a lay audience to: employment@ilrf.org. The position is open until filled.

ILRF is an equal opportunity employer and actively recruits women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and persons with diverse gender and sexual identities.