Legal Officer, Human Rights Commission 247 views

Who are we?

Project Expedite Justice (PEJ) is a United States based NGO with 501(c)(3) charitable organization status founded in 2016.

PEJ’s mission is to use all available legal options to seek justice for individuals who are inadequately protected under the law, who cannot access legal resources, and who are exploited by governments, corporations, or others.

For our mission, PEJ applies a novel, victim-centered approach to addressing mass atrocities. PEJ’s three-step model consists of training, mentoring, and providing independent legal consulting. We partner and train local lawyers and investigators to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence according to international legal standards. Without evidence, there can be no accountability. We further build local capabilities and forward the justice process through case-specific mentoring and strategic guidance to local legal practitioners and investigators. Finally, we partner with local NGOs, pro bono law firms, and legal clinics to represent victims of international crimes and serious human rights abuses in court or alternative judicial mechanisms.

We have projects in various countries and are an inclusive team that includes people working remotely from many different places, including several countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the USA. We are deeply committed to increasing the opportunity for lawyers from the global majority / global south to participate in international Rule of Law based non-profits. People from countries from the global majority are encouraged to apply for this role 

What is the job?

The Legal Officer will work closely with the Senior Investigator Lawyer in the Human Rights Commission to support PEJ’s project “Protecting Human Rights and Promoting Justice in Ethiopia through Evidence Collection and Documentation.” This project aims to increase justice and accountability for serious human rights abuses in Ethiopia and improve human rights protection and observation over three years. Specifically, PEJ works closely with civil society organizations, lawyer associations, human rights defenders, and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to build capacity on evidence collection and preservation and case strategy and advocacy. Specific program objectives are:  1) Increased capacity of these groups to investigate, document, and report serious human rights abuses in line with international standards for evidence collection and preservation; 2) increased capacity of groups to pursue accountability measures for serious human rights abuses in relevant legal and non-legal fora; 3) increased coordination and cooperation between civil society organizations and the Human Rights Commission to monitor, document, and report on serious human rights abuses.

What are the contract terms?

This is an outputs-based, in-person consulting contract, expected to take full working time from February 2022 until the end of June 2023, with a three month long probation period.

What is the scope of work?

The Legal Officer will work closely with the Senior Investigator Lawyer in the Human Rights Commission to support case development and strategy. The Legal Officer will also support the Senior Investigator Lawyer in developing training materials and conducting training. Finally, the Legal Officer will also help the Senior Investigator Lawyer in mentoring and advising investigators in the Human Rights Commission. The Legal Officer will also coordinate with the PEJ Ethiopia project lead to provide updates on cases and discuss strategy.

What will you do?

• Along with the scope of work, you will be responsible for the following duties:
• Conducting research and drafting legal analysis memoranda on a variety of issues
• Conducting legal analysis and drafting legal documents
• Work closely with Human Rights Commission investigators to map evidence and develop case strategies
• Develop training materials and implement training for Human Rights Commission investigators.
• Provide mentoring and advising support to Human Rights Commission investigators.
• Assisting with case management and document review.
• Coordinates collaboration round tables between the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and civil society organizations.

Your talents and skills:

• A law degree and current qualification as a lawyer.
• A minimum of 3-4 years of legal experience in public international law, international criminal law, and human rights law, Human rights litigation experience is desired.
• Experience working in an NGO is desired.
• Experience in developing and implementing advocacy strategies on human rights issues.
•  Experience in drafting legal memoranda and legal documents.
• Experience in evidence analysis and preserving evidence.
•  Experience assisting in advising and mentoring investigators and lawyers.
•  Experience assisting in conducting and delivering training on human rights law.
• Ability to work independently.
•  Ability to work in high-pressure or complicated work environments.
• Fluency in English and Amharic is required. Fluency in additional Ethiopian languages is preferred.
•  Good practical knowledge of MS Word and MS Excel.
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability.