Center for Human Rights – Legal Advisor 1

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 a legal advisor to support the provision of pro bono technical legal assistance to human rights defenders at risk, advise on accountability work, and investigate corruption in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The legal advisor will support the LAC portfolio under the Justice Defenders program and the Center’s program aimed at combatting corruption in Northern Central America, in addition to other projects that arise in the region.

Candidates with experience working on issues pertaining to human rights and anti-corruption in LAC 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. They should be a strong writer and be excited to contribute to the Center’s human rights mission by providing support to the Senior Legal Advisor for the LAC portfolio. Candidates with strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task are highly desired. Ideal candidates will have experience in investigative and accountability work, and full working proficiency or native fluency in Spanish. All applicants must have authorization to work in the United States. The ABA does not sponsor visas.

1. Job Description

The Legal Advisor 1 will report to the Senior Legal Advisor for the LAC portfolio. Responsibilities shall include:

• Undertake substantive legal work for a grant funded project and provide substantive support and expertise to the ABA Center for Human Rights. Supervised by a more senior attorney or experienced professional. Includes research, writing, and speaking. May have supervisory duties of non-attorney staff.

• Support senior legal advisor for LAC in a range of duties relating to case strategy, management, advocacy and other matters regarding the execution of case work.

• Conduct legal or other research; write memoranda, speeches, and articles, including for publication.

• Provide substantive advice, information, and policy. May conduct research and meetings, develop recommendations and memoranda. Includes contact with government entities including officials and with media.

• Analyze laws, regulations, court rules, and policies/policy proposals. Prepare memoranda on law or public policy.

• May assist with supervision of interns/externs.

• Give presentations on legal and public policy issues. Assist in designing substantive content of events, developing model documents, and conducting trainings.

• Technological legal tool development and use.

• Perform other related duties as required.

1. Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Possession of a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited university or its equivalent

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills

• Excellent organizational skills

• Ability to exercise independent judgement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous legal work or volunteer experience related to human rights.

• Full professional working proficiency or native fluency in Spanish

• Demonstrated experience working on investigative and accountability work in Latin America and the Caribbean.

• Experience preferably in an association, non-profit, and/or NGO setting.

• Analytical problem-solving ability and self-direction.

• Previous work experience outside of the United States.

1. Extent of Travel Required in the Job

As a normal course of business, this job will typically require some travel.

1. How to Apply

Applicants should submit a detailed cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample via the ABA Dayforce Career Portal. Please outline language skills in cover letter.