The Work:

The Human Rights Specialist serves as a strategic subject matter expert on a broad range of regional human rights issues, with particular emphasis on religious freedom and LGBTQI rights. This role is responsible for providing expert analysis, informed recommendations, and actionable insights to senior leadership, as well as supporting the organization’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the region.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise on broad regional human rights issues with a particular focus on religious freedom and LGBTQI issues. Provide relevant recommendations and analysis to senior officials.
• Advise office leadership on and attend working level interagency meetings and working groups to address human rights concerns in the SCA region. Raise problematic issues to senior levels as necessary.
• Advise on, administer, coordinate, and perform research and analysis on the formulation and direction of foreign affairs in the study and dissemination of information bearing on the Bureau’s efforts to promote and protect human rights.
• Monitor, research, and analyze human rights-related developments in SCA to determine regional trends and implications.
• Maintain contact with human rights and democracy NGOs, think-tanks, and private sector experts.
• Produce a wide range of persuasive and timely written products including memos and talking points for senior officials to advance human rights in the SCA region.
• Coordinate clearances as required with appropriate desks, offices, bureaus, and embassies with relevant equities.
• Maintain productive working relationships with country desks, posts, and relevant bureaus and agencies.
• Support all other STA initiatives as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications – Here’s What You Need:

• Top Secret/ SCI Clearance is required.
• Familiarity with Department of State operations and overall office management experience.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and general administrative.
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.

Minimum Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate in a clear, professional, and articulate manner.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with high-level attention to detail.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast past environment with changing priorities; adaptable to change and a quick learner.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work well independently as well as on a multi-functional team.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
• Proficient in MS Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight/short deadlines.
• Ability to work independently to assess priorities and manage daily coordination of details with minimal supervision.

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance; Wellness Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided)
• Voluntary Life and AD&D options
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year
• Paid Time Off

Reports to: Program Manager

Working Conditions:

• Professional office environment, with the ability to work onsite in the main office.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform duties extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed to meet the demands of this position.
• Must be able to establish a productive and professional workspace.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time looking at computer screen.
• May be asked to work a flexible schedule which may include holidays.
• May be asked to travel for business or professional development purposes.
• May be asked to work hours outside of normal business hours.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.