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Technology Law and Policy Director - Human Rights Center - School of Law

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Position overview

Position title: Technology Law and Policy Director
Salary range: The anticipated salary range is $110,000-$115,000, though the successful candidate could be hired below or above this range depending on qualifications.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: November 1, 2021
Position duration: One-year academic appointment, subject to renewal.

Position description

Berkeley Law and the Human Rights Center (HRC) are pleased to announce their search for applicants for the position of Technology Law and Policy Director.

The Human Rights Center (HRC) is a research and training center housed within UC Berkeley School of Law that applies innovative technologies and scientific methods to investigate war crimes and other serious violations of human rights. Based on our findings, we recommend policy measures to protect vulnerable populations and hold perpetrators accountable. We train advocates around the world and provide them with the skills and tools necessary to document human rights abuses and turn this information into effective action. The Center is organized into several programmatic research lines, which currently include Health and Human Rights Program, Human Rights Fellowship Program, Human Rights and Business Initiative, Human Rights Investigations Lab, and Technology Law and Policy Program. This position may work across program lines as opportunity allows.

The Technology Law and Policy Director will report to HRC’s Executive Director.

Job Description

The Technology Law and Policy Director shapes and effectuates the research and project agenda of the center’s technology, law and policy workstream in partnership with the Human Rights Center’s executive director. This includes designing the legal and policy research agenda to support institutional partners and HRC led initiatives; choosing and designing legal investigation and case-building projects in partnership with the executive director, faculty director, and HRC Investigations Lab manager; and coordinating and supervising student researchers. For legal investigations and litigation support projects, the Director will manage external partner relationships, ensuring adherence to professional standards, and direct case-building work, ensuring sound methods and quality control of all deliverables and other outputs.

One of the Technology Law and Policy Director’s primary responsibilities will be to manage the day-to-day operations of the legal investigation team, a section of the Human Rights Investigations Lab dedicated to supporting strategic human rights litigation and other legal investigation projects. The Director will also be responsible for managing law and policy projects outside of the Investigations Lab such as those involving strategic development, consulting, legal advice, and/or recommendations to international organizations engaging in international criminal and human rights law.

The Technology Law and Policy Director is expected to train students and professionals to the standards of the Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations and speak as an expert on related methods and processes with the media, funders, and other strategic partners.

His/her work will also include designing, implementing and reporting on methodologies and strategy that add to existing knowledge about ways that digital technologies can be used to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of international legal investigations, particularly international criminal investigations. Related activities may include serving as HRC’s lead or supporting lead on workshops, reports, white papers, book chapters, amicus curiae briefs, training materials, implementation tools, and academic papers, and other appropriate means for sharing and advancing information relative to human rights investigations.

The Technology Law and Policy Director is expected to manage teams of researchers, including professional research staff and students. He/she will coordinate among diverse independent contractors who may be hired to provide research, training and other support.

The Technology Law and Policy Director is also expected to conduct research and publish his/her research findings, including a minimum of one report (or similar output) per year. He/she will also be expected to draft policy papers, op-eds and other documents as needed and/or as capacity allows.

Additional materials may be requested of finalists.

For more information on HRC, please see:: https://humanrights.berkeley.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Candidate must hold a J.D. degree or equivalent international degree, or a Ph.D. degree or equivalent international degree.

Preferred qualifications

• Admission to practice law in at least one state (California Bar not required).
• For applicants with a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, training in the social or technical sciences or related fields is preferred.
• Five years’ relevant working experience.
• Working understanding of international law and/or practice.
• Experience conducting investigations with a goal towards litigation in compliance with professional legal ethics and standards.
• Working knowledge of the various provisions of the Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations.
• Experience in human rights, international law, cybersecurity and/or related research;
• Understanding of theory and practice related to international criminal law, humanitarian law and/or human rights law;
• Management, supervisory, and/or teaching experience;
• Advanced oral and written communication skills;
• Exceptional speaking skills;
• Ability to think creatively and independently on concepts requiring advanced analytical skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups to achieve results;
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external peers, supervisors and subordinates;
• Ability to conduct legal and/or social science research and analysis;
• Ability to work well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to mentor graduate and undergraduate students interested in program-related research; and
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Writing sample - Such as a policy brief, comment letter, white paper, or equivalent of no more than 10 pages

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03163

Help contact: academicpositions@law.berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Berkeley, CA