Established human rights charity seeks Director to drive exciting new phase
Are you interested in leading a small but highly effective and forward looking London-based
NGO as it continues on its journey to become a leader in its field? This is a great opportunity
for a lawyer or human rights professional looking to fast track their career, gain significant
management experience and advocate for human rights among the top levels of domestic
and international policy makers.
Our ambition at René Cassin is of a world where all people fully enjoy their human rights as
enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and members of the Jewish
community are actively engaged in promoting and protecting these rights. We are a
powerful human rights voice both within and beyond the Jewish community which reflects the
historic and contemporary relevance of human rights values to the Jewish experience.
We make distinctive contributions in areas such as discrimination, asylum and genocide which
hold particular relevance for the Jewish community. We do this by campaigning, running
events and training programmes and producing educational resources.
We are named after M. René Cassin, a Nobel Laureate who was one of the principal codrafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Through the organisation founded by
Cassin we have special consultative status with United Nations and we use this accreditation
to advocate for universal rights from a Jewish perspective on the international stage.
We have an ambitious plan, a motivated staff team and dedicated supporters. We are
looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Director to drive our next phase of development
as we seek to deepen our impact in our core areas.
To apply, please send a statement detailing your relevant experience and your C.V. to
[email protected]. This opportunity will be closed when filled.
Unfortunately we are unable to inform candidates that they have not been short-listed or give
feedback to those not selected at the interview stage. If you are not contacted for interview
you should assume that you have not been short-listed. To stay informed about future
opportunities please sign up to receive our communications at www.renecassin.org or email
us at [email protected]
Director Job Description
Salary range:
36-40k, commensurate with experience
Reporting to:
Type of role:
Trustee Board
Permanent, full-time (flexible working hours may be available for
exceptional candidates)
Line-managed by: René Cassin’s Chair of Trustees
Responsible for:
Staff team (currently Programme Officer, Development Manager)
interns and volunteers
Purpose of Role
 To provide strong and clear leadership for René Cassin and ensure the vision and mission
of the organisation is articulated, shared and understood by staff and key stakeholders

To have ultimate responsibility for René Cassin’s management and administration within
the strategic frameworks agreed by the Board of Trustees

To work closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure that René Cassin achieves its
strategic and financial objectives

To lead staff on development and delivery of all of René Cassin’s campaigning and
education work
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Vision and strategy
 Provide clear leadership and direction, and act as a source of inspiration and motivation
for staff, interns and wider stakeholders
 Work with the Trustee Board to formulate and regularly review René Cassin’s vision,
mission and strategy to guide the organisation, including realistic milestones and targets
Finance/fundraising
 Together with the Board, be responsible for the long term sustainability of René Cassin:
work with the Board and the Development Manager to secure adequate levels of
diverse funding for the organisation in line with the fundraising strategy, including writing
funding proposals, liaising with high net worth individuals and corporates and leading on
other fundraising activities as needed
 Work with the Treasurer and the Board to prepare a comprehensive budget and ensure
that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed
 Ensure effective and appropriate use of resources, providing regular financial reports to
the Board of Trustees, auditors and other funders
Governance
 Report to the Board of Trustees on René Cassin’s work, answering for its performance,
and providing relevant all information that may impact the organisation
 Foster an effective working relationship between the Board and the staff team
 Assist the Chair and Trustee Board with recruitment and induction of new trustees, and
provide support for compliance with all Charity Commission and other regulatory
requirements.
Promoting René Cassin
 Lead on activities designed to raise the profile and expand awareness of René Cassin in
the Jewish community, particularly among potential supporters, policy makers and the
Jewish and mainstream media
 Support the Development Manager and Campaigns & Programme Officer on activities
designed to raise awareness of René Cassin in the wider community


Work with Development Manager and Campaigns/Programme Officer on development
of all messaging and materials
Act as a spokesperson for René Cassin and represent the organisation at official
functions
Operational management and programme delivery
 Lead on development of all of René Cassin’s campaigning and education work to meet
René Cassin’s mission and strategic priorities
 Develop an annual operational plan, oversee its implementation, and monitor progress
to maximise impact and improve quality of programme delivery
 Establish good working relationships with other organisations including community
groups, funders, politicians, and other organisations to help achieve the goals of the
organisation
 Serve as UK Director of our human rights educational programme for young professionals,
contributing human rights educational content and working with regional directors in
other countries
 Act as official liaison on partnerships and collaborative work areas
 Ensure René Cassin has in place all necessary organisational systems and procedures,
reviewing existing policies on an annual basis and recommending changes to the Board
as required
 Identify and evaluate the risks to which René Cassin might be exposed and take all
necessary steps to manage those risks.
Human Resources
 Have overall responsibility for staff management by ensuring that René Cassin has
effective programmes of supervision, line management, professional development and
appraisal
 Line manage a Campaigns & Programme Officer and Development Manager, supervise
consultants and Interns
 Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all
appropriate legislation and regulations
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
Understanding of international and UK specific human rights law
and issues
x
Understanding of the UK Jewish community including contacts, and
and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities relating to the
unique mission of the organization
x
Understanding of regulations affecting UK charities
Desirable
x
Experience
Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in a relevant field,
with minimum three years in a senior management role
x
Experience of successful income generation/fundraising in two or
more of the following areas: charitable trusts and foundations,
major donors and corporates, patrons and high net worth
individuals, other.
x
Demonstrable ability to develop and implement strategy at an
organisational or departmental level
x
Demonstrable experience in project development, delivery and
evaluation such as awareness raising or policy campaigns and/or
educational offerings
Design and management of annual budgets and financial
reporting
Line management of staff and/or supervision of consultants
x
x
x
Multi-channel media training and/or public relations,
communications experience
x
Experience working with a Trustee Board or similar body
Experience working in a charity, social enterprise or similar
organisation
Qualifications
x
x
University degree in a related field
x
Post-graduate degree in a related field
x
Other
Willingness to work occasionally on evenings and weekends
x
Willing to undertake own administration
x
High level of IT competence
x
Fluent written and spoken English
x
The legal right to work in the UK
x
Skills
Leadership and people management – proven ability to lead, motivate and develop
individuals (both staff and volunteers) with enthusiasm.
Strategic planning: demonstrate ability to devise, implement, monitor and evaluate an
organisation’s or department’s activities
Effective communicator: demonstrate ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and
in writing to a wide variety of stakeholders including policy makers, high net worth individuals,
partner organisations and experts, and supporters. Will include significant public speaking.
Work independently: Set priorities, develop a work schedule and monitor progress towards
goals
Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems,
and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant
information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the
problem.