Advocacy for Arms Accountability-Consultants

The American Bar Association (ABA) Center for Human Rights is the ABA’s focal entity for critical human rights concerns in the United States and around the world. The ABA Center for Human Rights (ABA CHR) works to promote and protect human rights worldwide by mobilizing lawyers to help threatened advocates and vulnerable communities; rallying leading experts on vital issues; and holding abusive governments accountable under law.

Background

CHR seeks to explore avenues through which to limit arms sales from major European countries, the US and UK to the Southwest Asia & North Africa (SWANA) region when implicated in legal and human rights violations. The Center is seeking a contracting organization or individual with experience engaging a variety of stakeholders in the international community on arms accountability and oversight mechanisms.

The purpose of this consultancy is to encourage increased adherence to international human rights and humanitarian law with respect to arms sales and transfers, primarily from European exporting countries to SWANA countries. This is a 5-month consultancy beginning in February 2024 through June 2024.

Responsibilities

· The consultant will engage a variety of stakeholders in the international community, including civil society organizations, States, and arms companies on establishing and strengthening arms accountability mechanisms.

· Depending on the relevant target audience, the consultant will engage these stakeholders on human rights due diligence policies, state responsibility for civilian protection, and methods of further multisectoral advocacy.

· Other tasks as necessary and as agreed upon between the contractor and the ABA Center for Human Rights.

Qualifications

· Demonstrated expertise in the subject matter (i.e. normative frameworks regulating the sale of arms including Arms Trade Treaty).

· Demonstrated experience conducting successful advocacy with respect to accountability for arms transfers.

· Law degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) preferred.