Consultant – Litigation Officer (Middle East)

Background

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) is expanding and has created an exciting new post – Litigation Officer, Middle East based in Beirut.

LAW is an independent, non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers and jurists working in 12 countries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We focus on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, rule of law and accountability, transformative justice and bringing justice to those who need it most. LAW’s activities are centered around four pillars: Advocacy, Strategic Litigation, Legal Aid & Empowerment, and Technical Assistance. LAW empowers victims and survivors to identify and articulate their rights and their justice needs, reduce impunity, increase accountability, and select the appropriate judicial mechanisms. Our trauma-informed approach is creative, inclusive and responsive and we work with the most vulnerable in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

LAW’s work in the Middle East seeks to promote accountability for serious international crimes and human rights violations, and to change law and policy at the domestic, regional, and international levels through a variety of legal fora. The Litigation Officer (Consultant) will be a self-starter that can help deliver the highest quality legal outputs as part of our justice and accountability strategy for some of the most marginalised victims and survivors. Ideally, we are looking for someone with experience building trial-ready case files involving core international crimes and serious human rights violations, preferably in the Middle East.

The Position

You will work closely and collaboratively with LAW’s Programme Manager in Beirut and take advice from Legal Advisors, as well as litigation partners, rostered experts, community groups, and survivors themselves. LAW provides legal representation to hundreds of clients around the world and you will help ensure they receive high-quality, accurate, ethical and constructive legal advice.

You will support LAW’s investigations and legal cases in the Middle East brought on behalf of survivors, victims, and their communities in domestic, regional, and international courts and mechanisms, and before UN Treaty Bodies. Cases LAW supports range from filing a case before the African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights on behalf of Tigrayan survivors; representing Rohingya survivors before the International Criminal Court; representing an enslaved migrant domestic worker in Lebanon; representing survivors from Syria, South Sudan, and Tigray before UN Treaty Bodies; and supporting international criminal investigations in Argentina and Germany for Rohingya SGBV survivors under principles of universal jurisdiction. You will help support such survivor-centred legal action, in coordination with LAW’s lawyers on the ground and partners.

You will support the legal team to deliver high quality legal aid and develop strategic litigation cases. You will review and organize case files, attend meetings and conferences with partners, conduct legal research, draft pleadings, communications, and victims’ submissions on a regular basis.

MORE ABOUT THIS POSITION

Where? The position is remote with a strong preference for those in Beirut.

Duration? This consultancy is initially available for 6 months with the possibility to be extended subject to funding.

Salary: Competitive rates of pay apply. Estimated $3,000-$4,000 per month.

Role Overview:

The Litigation Officer will support litigation and accountability measures on a range of complex human rights and international criminal law cases. You will report directly to the Programme Manager in Beirut, and conduct legal research and writing, assist with collection, use and dissemination of evidence, including preparation of witness statements, take notes at meetings with local partners, and contribute to communications and advocacy strategies to support litigation goals. You may be required to travel on mission to the Middle East to support the legal team.

You are a highly organized team player with solid legal experience in international criminal law and human rights law. You have excellent written and oral communication skills. You can produce compelling legal analysis and arguments in both written and oral form. You can organize and maintain diverse and complex case files electronically across a range of jurisdictions. You can build and maintain systems not just to meet deadlines, but to ensure that LAW’s investigations and litigation are a success.

The Litigation Officer will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below:

Legal & Investigations

• Develop and edit high quality legal documents including submissions, policy papers, reports and legal briefs;
• Participating in investigations, particularly through collection, use and analysis of evidence, assisting lawyers and investigators in their interviews of survivors;
• Going on missions to assist country teams, and the Programme Manager, as needed, and in support of LAW’s investigations and strategic litigation initiatives;
• Investigating and identifying both individual and corporate perpetrators.

Advocacy

• Develop litigation-related advocacy materials including side events, webinars, policy briefs, reports, etc.;
• Liaise with LAW communications team to ensure litigation-related updates and materials are published on LAW’s website and social media, as appropriate;

Case Management and Administration

• Organize and maintain diverse and complex case files electronically;
• Build and maintain systems not just to meet deadlines, but to ensure that litigation teams are thriving;
• Take meeting minutes and distribute to staff and/or partners, as needed;
• Plan and organize litigation and investigation-related missions, and conduct mission-related administrative and finance tasks;

Any other duties as specified by LAW’s Programme Manager and Senior Management Team

About You:

• A degree in law and preferably an active bar membership in at least one jurisdiction, with post-graduate experience in human rights law, criminal law or refugee law;
• 3-5 years demonstrated experience in a similar role preparing case files for submission to domestic, regional or international courts or mechanisms or documenting crimes and human rights violations;
• Excellent legal research and writing skills;
• Demonstrated knowledge of human rights law, international criminal law, humanitarian law and public international law;
• Excellent organisational skills, with an ability to effectively manage dozens of cases in a fast-paced international environment;
• Experience with employing an intersectional, trauma-informed approach to investigations and litigation;
• Track record of intuitive problem solving and troubleshooting skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of Arabic an Asset;
• Flexibility and ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects; ability to prioritise tasks, particularly under pressure, and to meet tight deadlines;
• Excellent observation, active listening and analytical skills with an ability to make sound judgments;
• Ability to travel to conflict-affected areas

Preferred / Desired Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge or experience of working on human rights issues in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon and Syria;
• Demonstrated experience in drafting pleadings, motions, legal memoranda.

Deadline for applications: The closing date for applications is 20th October 2023.

Start date: Immediate

At LAW we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTIQ+ lawyers with experience representing at-risk clients are particularly encouraged to apply.

To learn more about LAW please visit our website: www.legalactionworldwide.org.