Deadline: 14 October 2015
The Amnesty International (AI) is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Senior Legal Adviser based in Dakar, Senegal.
The Senior Legal Adviser is part of the core project team that leads delivery of the project within the broader AI’s strategic goal and body of work on international justice and accountability.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all.
Key Job Responsibilities
The Senior Legal Adviser will perform the following functions-
- Monitor and analyse international and regional developments on international justice issues, including positions, amendment proposals and other measures introduced by the AU Commission, AU member states and African member states of the Rome Statute and develop clear advocacy positions and strategies on identified priorities;
- Lead, manage and supervise the conduct of a comprehensive analysis of the legal, institutional and political developments around the existing and emerging regional accountability mechanisms, including the new merged and expanded African Court, and develop advocacy strategies, policy briefs and recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness and legitimacy of these mechanisms;
- Lead, manage and supervise the conduct of comprehensive assessments of existing, newly established or emerging legislative and institutional frameworks for investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating crimes under international law in targeted conflict and post-conflict countries in Africa and monitor implementation process;
- Provide technical support and advice to partners in monitoring investigations, prosecutions and trials of high profile cases involving perpetrators of serious crimes under international law;
- Lead, manage and supervise the design and implementation of strategic litigation in targeted countries Africa, including initiating or supporting partners to engage in strategic litigation in order to seek investigations into and prosecutions of allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as to secure remedies for victims of international crimes;
- Coordinate advocacy with relevant Amnesty International Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGO) coordinators and sections in Africa, and hold advocacy meetings with relevant government authorities in target countries Africa;
- Produce series of op-eds, articles, briefings, advocacy notes and position papers for dissemination to civil society organizations, media, appropriate representatives of member states of the AU and relevant organs of the AU;
- Represent AI in meetings with senior government and inter-governmental officials and in the media in order to communicate AI’s findings and recommendations for change to decision-makers and to the public.
- As required, represent AI in field research missions to contribute to the delivery of high-quality analysis of human rights abuses and effective, evidence-based recommendations for change.
- Lead the development of strategies and project plans in order to help ensure delivery of AI’s priorities.
- Develop and maintain productive relations with AI membership, members of the human rights movement, and experts working on particular thematic issues in order to contribute to organizational effectiveness and own professional development.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- Professional qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction in Africa and substantial experience in the practice of law is essential.
- Outstanding knowledge of and experience in the application of international law, including international human rights law, humanitarian law and international criminal law, is essential.
- An excellent knowledge of one of the following areas is essential: criminal law and criminal procedure; the principles of parallel, customary, or traditional legal systems; state responsibility, non-state actors, and bases for extraterritorial jurisdiction under international law.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of working with the African human rights mechanisms and jurisprudence is strongly preferred.
- Excellent ability to analyze accurately complex legal issues and apply legal reasoning in pursuit of developing a strategic response.
- Excellent ability to evaluate situations and issues in the short, medium and long term, set strategic goals in accordance with organizational priorities, monitor plans, and evaluate outcomes.
- Excellent ability to manage people and resources, plan and prioritize work, including when under pressure, and to ensure that deadlines are met.
- Excellent ability to work cooperatively internally and externally with others, including with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent ability to represent AI externally, including in a diplomatic context, in governmental and other discussions, and to the media, and to explain complex legal concepts simply and accurately to a variety of audience.
- Excellent ability to write clearly and concisely, without need for significant editorial revision.
- Outstanding written and verbal English is essential; in addition, fluency in French is desirable.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through online process.
For more information, please visit AI.
