Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC) Vacancies (4 positions)

Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC) Nigeria is a Lagos-based non-governmental and non-partisan organization concerned with the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights) in Nigeria.

Through its highly-integrated models - the Monitoring and Advocacy Program (MAP), the Community Action Program (CAP), the Legal Action Program (LAP) and the recently introduced Policy Advocacy Program (PAP) - SERAC seeks to build awareness about economic, social and cultural rights and explore strategies for securing their realization. In addition, SERAC aims at broadening individuals’ and communities’ access to, and strengthening their participation in, the design and implementation of social and economic policies and programs that affect them.

SERAC require the service of a qualify individuals for the following positions:

1.)  Litigation Specialist

Job Responsibilities

• Research, draft, file and litigate cases of high public interest value
• Conduct interrogatories, schedule depositions, prepare and vet legal briefs, evidence and all paperwork relating to cases
• Undertaking fact-finding missions analyze and write detailed rights-based reports
• Supervise a group of individuals consisting of lawyers, legal secretaries, paralegals, medical, financial and other expert witness and various third parties
• Write and make public presentations on legal aspects of economic, social and cultural rights before local and international audience’ and
• Facilitate meetings and conduct training for different stakeholders

Skills

• Must be confident and have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must have a good command of legal procedures and advanced knowledge of the appellate court systems
• Over six years experience with a track record in litigating public interest cases
• Must be highly analytical and have organizational. Management and problem-solving skills
• Must be organized and have stellar negotiation and presentation skillsMust have a strong flair for human right and or experience in development work
• Possession of an LLM is an added advantage

2.) Program Officer, Right To Housing

Job Responsibilities
The successful candidates will have the capacity to:

• Research, monitor and document settlement conditions and human rights practices in urban centers and including patterns of forced evictions in Nigeria
• Initiate and facilitate housing right-focused debates and engagements with diverse stakeholders responsible for the formulation and implementation of land and housing policies and legislation
• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of relevant national, regional and international legislation and policy frameworks in relations to the right to adequate housing
• Design, develop and implement housing and kind right-centered advocacy and capacity building initiatives for a wide range of target groups
• Draft, review and edit detailed reports, public statements and other documentation on the right to housing in Nigeria.
• Coordinate engagement with community networks, partnerships and grass root movements across slum and marginalized communities in Nigeria
• Write and make public presentations focusing on the right to adequate housing and related economic, social and cultural rights before local and international audience; and
• Plan and manage programs of work budgets, fund raise and manage staff

Job Qualification and Experience

• A university degree in law, human rights, development studies, social science, estate management, urban and regional planning or any related discipline
• Must have a good understanding of the country laws, policies, related to housing rights, land and evictions and/or economic, social and cultural rights
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the human rights or housing field in Nigeria
• Proof a track record in human rights advocacy and taking a essential
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills

3.) Program Officer: Business and Human Rights

Job Responsibilities
The ideal candidates should:

• Have an advanced understanding of Nigeria’s business institution and their activities, particularly the oil and extractive sector.
• Research monitor and document human rights practice in Nigeria, with a special focus on communities that host big corporate entities, especially in the Niger Delta region
• To execute high-profile human right campaigns around research findings and identify opportunities for advocacy and policy engagement
• Be able to develop and implement human awareness creation and capacity building programs targeting policy and governments officials, corporate bodies, local communities and other target groups; and
• To cultivate, engage and manage multi-stakeholder relationships such as the media, local group, communities and civil society, corporate bodies and regulatory agencies

Job Qualification and Experience

• A first degree in law, development, social sciences or related field, with broad knowledge of international human rights law.
• A master’s degree will be an advantage
• At least four years experience in a similar positions
• Stellar oral and written communications skills
• Very strong research and analytical abilities

4.)  Front Desk Officer / Secretary

Job Responsibilities

• Provide high-speed secretarial and administrative support to the office and manage official information with utmost confidentially.
• Schedule appointments, arrange meetings and engagements for staff, prepare itinerary for local and international meetings, and including making necessary visa and travel arrangements.
• Keep detailed minutes of staff, program and Board meetings, and including setting the meeting, and including setting meeting’s agenda
• Be proficient in Microsoft Application, Corel draw, excel and power point applications.
• Assist with program logistics and the day-to-day operations of the various departments within the organizations
• Time flexibility for work is essential. May be required to work late hours and on weekends
• Be available to travel at short notice for local and international assignments
• Filling and maintaining organizational database and managing external correspondence

Job Qualification and Experience
The ideal candidate must have:

• A first degree in English, mass communication, secretarial administrations arts, social science or any related field
• Excellent typing and computer skills
• Exceptional telephone mannerism.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• At least two years work experience as secretary

Application Deadline
30th March, 2011

How To Apply
Interested applicants should forward handwritten applications and detailed CV to:

The Administrator
Social and Economic Rights Action Center
Email: info@serac.org