Career Opportunities

About ASIL The American Society of International Law (ASIL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational membership organization founded in 1906 and chartered by Congress in 1950. ASIL holds Category II Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies. The Society is headquartered at Tillar House in Washington, D.C. The mission of ASIL is to foster the study of international law and to promote the establishment and maintenance of international relations on the basis of law and justice.

The American Society of International Law is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. We value a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.


Current Openings at ASIL

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Department: Education

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Summary:
The Program Officer is responsible for, and is a significant resource to, the development, implementation, and administration of Department of Programs activities. The position writes synopses of events, leads a small handful of programs, and comprehensively supports and provides deliverables to the Society’s broad array of Programs, including speaker management, content revisions, virtual and in-person meeting logistics, communications, calendar and task management, and other responsibilities. The Program Officer contributes to creating new programs, and strengthens and improves the Society’s existing program workflows and processes. The Program Officer provides comprehensive support to the Senior Programs Manager.

Responsibilities:

  • Support the Senior Programs Manager and presidentially appointed committees in developing and implementing the Annual and Midyear Meetings, including plenaries and program tracks, interest group sessions, continuing legal education, academic and professional development activities, and other events.
  • Support the Senior Programs Manager and presidentially appointed committees in developing and implementing educational programming, including conferences, special events, interest group activities, webinars, educational resources, and research activities.
  • Liaise directly with the Society’s Interest Groups on their creation of events and other programming.
  • Create flyers, communications, and social media posts for programs and events.
  • Track speaker data and information through extensive use of spreadsheets and task management tools.
  • Support the Senior Programs Manager with the United Nations Observer program, including overseeing the selection of members to participate at official meetings of the UN, UNCITRAL, WTO, OSCE, OECD, and other bodies with whom the Society has official observer status, coordinating the accreditation and reporting obligations of authorized representatives of the Society, and ensuring its official status remains current.
  • Create Society website content and promotional materials for all educational activities.
  • Maintain an active social media presence in support of the Society’s programs with oversight by the Senior Program Manager and Director of Publications and Research.
  • Support the Senior Programs Manager and Director of Development and Partnerships with the design and implementation of programs to support Academic, Law Firm, and Publisher Partnerships.
  • Assist with the development and compliance of Society’s CLE programming, including accreditation, promotion, registration, online distribution, development of new program content, and identifying and obtaining research materials.
  • Bolster the ASIL career development program, including updates to the ASIL Guide to Careers in International Law, mentoring and professional development programs (in-person and online), and creation of professional development materials for use by ASIL members and Academic Partners.
  • Serve as rapporteur for ASIL events: in addition to staffing the events, keep track of attendance and take notes of substance.
  • Coordinate with relevant staff on execution of in-person and online events.
  • Engage in public speaking on behalf of the Society (usually in academic settings).
  • Support the Director of Publications and Research with the Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program, including developing promotional materials, coordinating the selection process, and developing and administering a post-fellowship alumni program.
  • Support the Society’s Publications & Research Department with programs designed to elevate the content of the Society’s publications and research programs.
  • Supervise Programs interns and event volunteers.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • BA/BS and J.D., or equivalent. Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of international law.
  • Minimum of three years of experience working in the legal or non-profit sectors.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to conduct international legal research and produce cogent written analyses under tight deadlines.
  • Ability to work flexible hours in support of education programs. Lead staffing of evening and weekend events including the Annual and Midyear Meetings.
  • Program management skills, including design, implementation, and evaluation of existing and new programmatic goals.
  • Strong initiative and follow-through, the ability to multi-task effectively, including prioritization of competing obligations, and the ability to work under pressure.
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Strong social media skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in managing and coordinating events, both online and in-person.
  • International study or other relevant international experience.
  • Basic graphic design skills
  • Strong public speaking skills.
  • Prior experience supervising staff and support personnel.
  • Knowledge of and experience with administering continuing legal education programs.
  • Experience with membership organization procedures and programs
  • Budget and financial management experience.

Visa Status:
The American Society of International Law welcomes applications from persons of any nationality. Non-US applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Compensation:
The target salary range for this position is $50,000-$60,000, based on experience and qualifications. ASIL offers a generous benefits package and a stimulating, collegial work environment.

Remote Work:
Unless authorized to work remotely, the employee will be required to perform the duties of the position in person, subject to public health conditions. Society staff is currently expected to work in person from Tuesday to Thursday; notwithstanding in-person evening events, which may take place any day of the week. All Society employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless an accommodation is requested and provided.

How to apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample (no more than 10 pages) as a single PDF document to jobs@asil.org. Please put "Program Officer" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Location:
2223 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

The ASIL International Law Fellows program gives recent graduates the opportunity to gain professional experience working on the Society's research, education, and outreach programs. The positions are full-time and fellows work with their supervisor to identify areas of professional interest that can be developed while working at Tillar House. They also have the opportunity to select and attend various internationally themed events in the active D.C. international community. Applications are currently being accepted for the Gabrielle Kirk McDonald BASIL Fellowship, named for the distinguished jurist and former Honorary President of the Society. The Fellowships are open for six-month placements, beginning in April 2022, and fellows will be awarded a one-time $7,500 fellowship grant (subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes).

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Additional Career Opportunities through ASIL

Established in 2004, the Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Program recognizes the legacy of Arthur Helton, a prominent human rights advocate and ASIL member. Helton died in the August 19, 2003 bombing of the UN mission in Baghdad.

Funded by contributions from ASIL members, interest groups, and private foundations, Helton Fellowships provide financial assistance in the form of "micro-grants" for law students and young professionals to pursue field work and research on significant issues involving international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and related areas.

Helton Fellowship micro-grants are intended to ensure that these individuals have access to modest amounts of funding that can often stand between them and their first professional opportunities to become effective practitioners, experts, and scholars of international law. The fellowships are intended to help cover for travel, housing, living expenses, and other costs related to the Fellow's fieldwork and research.

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Start Your Career with an ASIL Internship. ASIL offers students opportunities to become involved with its work while learning first-hand about the field of international law. See descriptions below of the specific internship positions available with the Society and how to apply. All positions are based at ASIL's Washington, DC, headquarters and generally require a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and usually more during the summer. All internships are unpaid; however, interns may be eligible to earn academic credit through their school. During their internship, participants are encouraged both to attend ASIL events and to take advantage of the plethora of programs in international law and foreign relations that the DC area provides.

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Additional Career Resources

The longest running formal career development resource at ASIL, the Careers in International Law: A Guide to Career Paths in International Law is an invaluable publication for everyone from pre-law majors to current lawyers looking to move into the practice of international law. Available for over 15 years, the guide has always included personal insights into the practice of international law from global leaders in the field.

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The ASIL Job Board is a place where members of the international law community are invited to submit news of jobs and/or internships for which ASIL members might apply. Access to the jobs and internships listed on the Job Board is available to ASIL members and faculty and students at ASIL's Academic Partner schools. Questions about the Job Board should be directed to the ASIL Service Center at services@asil.org or +1-202-939-6001.

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