The American Bar Association Center for Human Rights (CHR) is the ABA’s focal entity for critical human rights concerns in the United States and around the world. CHR mobilizes lawyers to help threatened advocates, protect vulnerable communities, and hold governments accountable under law.
CHR is seeking an experienced legal advisor to support the provision of pro bono technical legal assistance to human rights defenders at risk and advise on accountability work. The legal advisor will lead the Africa portfolio under the Justice Defenders program, in addition to other projects in the region.
Candidates with experience working on issues pertaining to human rights in Africa are encouraged to apply. Candidates should be detail-oriented, able to work well in cross-cultural settings, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Candidates with strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task are highly desired. All applicants must have authorization to work in the United States. The ABA does not sponsor visas.
Job Description
The Legal Advisor will report directly to the Africa Senior Program Manager.
Responsibilities shall include:
1) Conduct research and write speeches, memoranda, and articles, frequently for publication.
2) Provide substantive advice, information and make policy recommendations. Serve as principal ABA expert on a substantive area of law or public policy. Includes contacts with government entities and with the media.
3) Give presentations and/or teach on legal and public policy issues. Act as a consultant designing substantive content of events, developing model documents, and conducting trainings.
4) Manage substantive/legal project aspects. Oversee research, report-writing, and publication. Coordinate or support member sub-groups and coordinate with external constituencies. Manage consultants, interns/externs.
5) Analyze laws, regulations, court rules and policies/policy proposals; prepare memoranda of law or on public policy; provide legal counsel.
6) Research, draft, write, review and critique legislative/rule/policy or regulatory text. Manage policy adoption process.
7) Secure outside funding; write grants; deal with grantmakers.
8) Performs other related duties as required.
Please note that Legal advisors are expected to travel up to 25% of the time. Legal Advisor shall be expected to begin immediately, and no later than one (1) month after notification of their successful application.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
a) Possession of a Doctorate degree (JD or PhD).
b) At least four years working in a relevant specialized area of law.
c) High level of skills at legal writing and research, oral and written communications, and organizational skill.
d) Substantial experience in policy analysis.
Preferred qualifications:
a) Experience working with USG-funded programs.
b) Experience or knowledge of legal reform issues related to human rights defenders in Africa.
c) Strong interpersonal skills in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
d) Grant writing experience.
e) Experience in advocacy on behalf of human rights defenders with foreign ministries, corporations, and multilateral institutions.
f) Experience working with local counsel to develop strategies for litigation.
Compensation
Compensation shall be commensurate with experience.
Application
Applicants should submit a resume or CV, three references, and legal writing sample via the ABA Dayforce Career Portal here.
