International Commission of Jurists: Senior International Legal Advisor, Myanmar – closing date 14 February 2020
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a global network of judges and lawyers united in affirming international law and rule of law principles that advance human rights.
The ICJ is seeking to recruit a Senior International Legal Adviser who will lead implementation of a portfolio of human rights work on behalf of the ICJ’s Asia Pacific Program in Myanmar, managing a small team engaging with a range of actors – government, civil society, United Nations, media and academics – to promote and protect human rights through the rule of law.
The key thematic issues covered by this position are: Freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, accountability for human rights violations, minority rights, and business and human rights.
The ideal candidate is an international human rights lawyer with a comprehensive knowledge of international human rights law and standards, with progressive experience as a human rights lawyer in Asia and staff management experience.
Responsibilities
- Provide vision, strategic direction, leadership and management of the ICJ’s work in Myanmar, and advise ICJ senior management on legal and political developments relevant to the activities and on immediate and long-term objectives and advocacy strategies for the ICJ’s Asia Pacific Programme
- Implement, supervise and contribute to legal and substantive aspects of the ICJ’s Myanmar programme using a range of innovative advocacy strategies to support ICJ legal interventions, including conducting field research into human rights issues related to law and justice;
- Implement a portfolio of project work on Myanmar, including designing and carrying out workshops, research outputs and advocacy engagement.
- Lead and manage a three to four-person team of lawyers and support staff, providing technical oversight and quality assurance of team outputs;
- Conceptualize, implement and advise the Regional Director on ICJ projects, proposals and policies in several areas of law and policy – particularly those coming under the thematic focus of this team.#
- Initiating, researching, writing, contributing and editing human rights reports, legal memos and briefing papers as well as Opinion Editorials;
- Participating in training and capacity building exercises; trial observations; and engagement with treaty bodies and UN bodies particularly the Human Rights Council.
- Contribute to reviewing and editing international legal analyses drafted by ICJ legal staff in Myanmar (and throughout the Asia Pacific Region as needed) to ensure that the analysis is consistent with the ICJ’s global standard for its law and policy publications
- Monitor and analyse legal and political developments, human rights and the rule of law developments internationally, including monitoring law reform initiatives;
- Represent the ICJ externally, develop and maintain relations with governments, donors, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs and the judicial, legal and human rights communities;
- Prepare press releases, deliver public speeches and otherwise raise the public profile of the ICJ;
- Drive the development and the implementation of fundraising strategies for the Myanmar Programme and lead on the cultivation and maintenance of relations with relevant donors, both current and potential, including through regular briefings and updates;
- Work closely in coordination with the Team Leader of the Denmark-Myanmar Programme on the Rule of Law and Human Rights, which is implemented by ICJ in joint venture with the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
- Carry out other, appropriate responsibilities as requested by the Asia & Pacific Regional Director.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have:
- A degree in law. A post-graduate degree is also required, preferably in international and human rights law or a related field. Extensive experience may be considered in lieu of a graduate degree in exceptional circumstances;
- Over 7 years progressive experience as a human rights lawyer, with 5 years in Asia and 5 years of program and staff management experience;
- Excellent oral and written English;
- Excellent political judgment and the proven ability to develop and carry out innovative advocacy and legal work;
- Excellent applied knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law and relevant regional jurisprudence
- Practical legal and advocacy experience at the national level working for the implementation of international human rights standards; litigation experience highly desirable;
- Experience working on and/or knowledge of Myanmar is desirable;
- Proven team and program management expertise
- Demonstrated analytic and writing ability including substantial report-writing experience;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a multi- cultural/national team;
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral):
- Willingness to travel in the region;
- Demonstrated commitment to human rights
The ICJ is an equal opportunities employer and offers a competitive salary package.
Applications
The deadline for applications is on 14 February 2020. Applications must be addressed with your resume, a cover letter, and names of at least three references to:
Please appreciate that due to the volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The ICJ is unable to respond to phone enquiries.