• Develop and edit high quality legal documents including submissions, policy papers, reports and legal briefs;
• Collaborate with litigation partners (individual lawyers, lawyers’ associations, law firms, and NGOs) to progress investigations and litigation initiatives using a trauma-informed approach;
• Participating in investigations, including through drafting investigation plans, conducting open-source investigations, and assisting lawyers and investigators in their interviews of survivors;
• Going on missions to assist country teams, and the Head of Litigation, as needed, and in support of LAW’s investigations and strategic litigation initiatives;
• Investigating and identifying both individual and corporate perpetrators.
Advocacy
• Attend conferences, panels, roundtables and NGO Working Group meetings on behalf of LAW, including on UN Security Council issues as well as human rights law, international criminal law, and sexual and gender-based violence;
• Attend relevant meetings at the UN Secretariat, UN Security Council, and UN Economic and Social Council as an NGO Observer;
• Review litigation-related advocacy materials before publication online;
• Liaise with LAW communications team to ensure litigation-related updates and materials are published on LAW’s website and social media, as appropriate;
Case Management and Administration:
• Organize and maintain diverse and complex case files electronically across a range of jurisdictions;
• Build and maintain systems not just to meet deadlines, but to ensure that litigation teams are thriving;
• Attend regular virtual meetings with LAW country teams and litigation partners around the world in different time zones, including during early morning hours;
• Take meeting minutes and distribute to staff and/or partners, as needed;
• Plan and organize litigation and investigation-related missions, and conduct mission-related administrative and finance tasks;
• Any other duties as specified by LAW’s Head of Litigation and Senior Management Team.
About You:
• You must have the legal right to work in USA/New York;
• A degree in law and preferably an active bar membership in at least one jurisdiction, with post-graduate experience in human rights law, criminal law or refugee law;
• 3-5 years demonstrated experience in a similar role in litigating cases or preparing case files for domestic courts under the principles of universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction;
• Track record of Litigating civil or criminal cases involving corporate liability for international criminal or human rights violations is an asset;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Demonstrated knowledge of human rights law, international criminal law, humanitarian law and public international law;
• Excellent organisational skills, with an ability to effectively manage dozens of cases in a fast-paced international environment;
• Experience with employing an intersectional, trauma-informed approach to investigations and litigation;
• Track record of intuitive problem solving and troubleshooting skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Other language skills such as Arabic, Burmese, Rohingya, Ukrainian, Russian, or Tigrinya is an asset;
• Flexibility and ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects; ability to prioritise tasks, particularly under pressure, and to meet tight deadlines;
• Excellent observation, active listening and analytical skills with an ability to make sound judgments;
• Ability to travel to conflict-affected areas
Preferred / Desired Requirements:
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience of working with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence;
• Demonstrated experience in drafting pleadings, motions, legal memoranda;
• Experience in case management (civil or criminal) in domestic, regional, or international courts
How To Apply
Our work is diverse and challenging across LAW country programmes so if you are looking for your next opportunity to make a real difference, then this position is right for you.
Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining how your previous experience and skills match this role (neither exceeding 2 pages of A4) to: recruitment@legalactionworldwide.org. The heading of the application should read ‘Litigation Officer (Consultant)’.
Deadline for applications: This position is on a rolling basis – LAW will be scheduling interviews as applications come in. Please apply at the earlies opportunity.
Start date: Immediate
At LAW we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ lawyers with experience representing at-risk clients are particularly encouraged to apply.
To learn more about LAW please visit our website: www.legalactionworldwide.org.
Job Email id: recruitment(at)legalactionworldwide.org