Program Assistant

Public International Law & Policy Group Overview

The Public International Law & Policy Group, a 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is a non-profit organization that operates as a global, pro bono law firm providing free legal assistance to governments, sub-state entities and civil society groups engaged in negotiating and implementing peace agreements, drafting post-conflict constitutions, and establishing and operating transitional justice mechanisms. To facilitate the utilization of this legal assistance, PILPG also provides policy formulation advice and training on matters related to conflict resolution. 

PILPG has advised over 20 governments, sub-state entities, and civil society organizations involved in the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements, post-conflict constitutions, and transitional justice mechanisms, including in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burma, Egypt, Darfur, Georgia, Kenya, Kosovo, Iraq, Libya, Montenegro, Nepal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen. PILPG has also provided legal assistance to every international criminal tribunal.

Position Description
PILPG’s Washington, DC headquarters is currently searching for a dynamic young professional who is passionate about peace negotiations, human rights, and transitional justice to support PILPG’s global programs as a Program Assistant. The Program Assistant will take ownership of administrative, financial, and operational processes to support various overseas projects and executive initiatives.  The Program Assistant will report to PILPG’s Managing Program Associate and Finance Manager and will work closely with PILPG’s operations team.

Role & Responsibilities 

Logistics

The Program Assistant will play an essential role in providing logistical and financial support to PILPG projects around the globe from PILPG’s headquarters. The Program Assistant will gain project management experience by working closely with senior PILPG Project Directors to plan workshops and meetings for international clientele. The Program Assistant will also assist PILPG’s in-house security team to develop security plans and guidelines to ensure the safety of senior attorneys and PILPG clients travelling abroad. In addition, the Program Assistant will be instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the DC office, ensuring that the headquarters is responsive to the needs of PILPG’s field offices and clients overseas. 

Finances

The Program Assistant will serve as an integral member of PILPG’s finance team, which drafts and monitors budgets for all of PILPG’s international projects and coordinates closely with PILPG’s field offices across the globe. The Program Assistant will have the opportunity to learn and utilize key finance and operations systems as they pertain to project management, including managing data and reports in QuickBooks Online. The Program Assistant will also facilitate project financial flow through processing and reviewing project financial transactions and monthly invoices, as well as preparing invoices for payment by donors or prime contractors.  

Grant Management & New Business Development

The Program Assistant will be responsible for assisting with analysis of PILPG programming, including contributing to project reports for US Government and international funders. The Program Assistant will also play a crucial role in supporting new business development by assisting with proposal drafting and budget preparation for new projects. PILPG is a leader in providing responsive and innovative legal and policy support to clients in conflict and post-conflict environments, and the Program Assistant’s administrative, financial, and operational support allows PILPG to stay on the cutting edge of public international law programming. 

Collaboration & Professional Development

PILPG is committed to fostering a network of professionals working in the field of public international law. As such, the Program Assistant will be an active member of PILPG’s professional network within and outside of the DC office. Further, the Program Assistant will participate in strategic planning for communications, proposals, and financial models; attend and participate in events, presentations, and meetings with alumni and staff in DC office; and collaborate with senior attorneys to provide support to large projects and initiatives. As PILPG places an emphasis on staff members’ individual professional development, the Program Assistant will also have the opportunity to attend relevant substantive and networking events around downtown DC. 

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for the Program Assistant position, candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; possess strong organization skills; and display acute attention to detail. An outstanding candidate will be an effective communicator and demonstrate the ability to take ownership of responsibilities and office processes.  Previous professional experience working in a fast-paced office environment is preferred. As PILPG implements programs in active conflict zones, a successful candidate will be flexible in completing quick-turnaround assignments and juggling multiple tasks at once. 

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have prior experience working at or with a non-profit organization; advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel; familiarity with Google Suite; and previous professional experience managing high-traffic online communications platforms. 

Salary
Candidates should state salary expectations in their cover letter.

Application Instructions
To submit an application, submit a resume, cover letter, three references, and writing sample online at http://www.publicinternationallawandpolicygroup.org/work-for-us/. The cover letter should outline the applicant’s interest in PILPG. After receiving completed application materials, PILPG will follow up only if the candidate is selected for an interview.