Job Description
Position Profile
Preferably based in London or The Hague, but with the possibility of working remotely under a consultancy, the Legal Assistant will be responsible for supporting our UJ work relating to Ukraine and Belarus through legal research, analysis of evidence, attending meetings, organizing events, and engaging with partners.
Key Responsibilities
The Legal Assistant will contribute to the work of REDRESS and the Platform by delivering and supporting the following activities:
- Conduct legal research and open source research, including on universal jurisdiction.
- Implement the standard operating procedures, e.g., regarding documentation, investigation and prosecution of serious human rights violations and international crimes.
- Review evidence of alleged human rights violations and international crimes with regard to subsequent investigation, litigation and/or prosecution.
- Support the analysis of cases reported to and stored in the Platform, including though cross-referencing.
- Engaging with partner NGOs to support their work, including through workshops and training.
General Responsibilities
The Legal Assistant will contribute to the work of REDRESS as follows:
- Strategic Litigation. Support strategic litigation through factual and legal research and analysis, legal drafting, and by attending meetings with clients, witnesses, and partner lawyers and activists.
- Case management. Support the management of our casework by keeping electronic files and correspondence.
- Legal Policy Advocacy. Research and develop policy papers, participate in policy and project meetings with partners and stakeholders.
- Media and Communications. Support our communications work by helping to draft website entries, blog posts, and social media campaigns.
- Projects. Support specific project activities, such as developing training materials, producing litigation workshops, and organizing events.
- Support our fundraising efforts through research, participate in fundraising meetings.
- Administration. Support administrative tasks, financial requests, project management, events, and office tasks.
The position is also expected to carry out such further duties as may reasonably be required from time to time by REDRESS.
Person Specification
This is an entry level position, and so we will consider candidates at the beginning of their career, with some relevant experience. The ideal candidate will have the following skills.
Essential Competencies
The successful candidate will need to have the following competencies:
- A degree in law, international affairs, or another subject relevant to the role.
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience in human rights.
- Demonstrated competence in legal writing and editing.
- Strong legal and factual research skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage projects, work with teams, and organise tasks.
- Relevant experience through internships, volunteer roles, work experience, educational work placements, or other practical experience.
- Fluency in written and oral English, with at least a working ability in Russian.
Desirable Competencies
A strong candidate will also have other desirable competencies:
- A relevant postgraduate level degree.
- Licensed to practice law through bar membership or the equivalent.
- Knowledge of international criminal law or the law of torture.
- Knowledge of the functioning of international human rights treaty bodies UN and regional human rights mechanisms, or the ICC.
- Experience documenting cases of human rights violations or working with survivors.
- Fluency in Russian.
Personal Attributes
To work for Redress, the candidate should have the following personal attributes:
- Happy to work collaboratively as part of a small and energetic team with a wide range of personalities.
- Highly efficient and organised, with an ability to multi-task, show initiative, solve problems, and take a hands-on role when necessary.
- Able to think and work strategically, creatively, and under pressure.
- Able to understand and support the aims, objectives and values of REDRESS and reflect them in all aspects of work.
- Able to work with victims of human rights abuse with a range of specific needs.
NOTE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
