Legal Advisor

Do you want to work in a human rights organization that makes a concrete and positive difference for vulnerable people around the world? And are you experienced in documenting and investigating human rights violations and/or international crimes?

Then DIGNITY can offer you an exciting opportunity, as we have a vacant position as legal advisor in our department for Prevention and Accountability (P&A). The position is temporary and expires on December 31, 2025.

Since 1982, DIGNITY has worked for a world free of torture and violence. We are a human rights and development organization that also runs a rehabilitation clinic in Denmark. We prevent torture and violence, treat traumatized victims, and document serious human rights violations so that those responsible can be held accountable.

In our P&A department, we have gathered our advisory work on torture and human rights, where we have a particular focus on strategic and knowledge development as well as advising DIGNITY’s international partners in torture prevention, documentation, accountability and advocacy. The department has appr. 15 employees including the management team (the department director and the deputy director).

About the position

As legal advisor your focus will be on documentation of international crimes in Ukraine.

Your primary tasks are:

• Working closely with DIGNITY’s partner organisations on the documentation of torture, other human rights violations and international crimes while continuously building their capacity. This will include:
  • Providing technical assistance for their documentation efforts, such as collecting, verifying, and preserving information in accordance with international standards
  • Providing technical assistance in interviewing victims and witnesses
  • Developing and delivering practical workshops on various issues, including interviewing victims and the preservation of evidence.
• Assessing the quality and sufficiency of the evidentiary material collected, providing feedback and ensuring implementation.
• Supporting the development of individual legal cases in national criminal proceedings and before international human rights mechanisms; and
• Assisting in drafting advocacy reports and submissions to national, regional and international human rights and accountability bodies

The position is expected to include up to 45 days of travel abroad per year.

We offer you:

• A job in a dynamic organization with a global outlook and a strong professional focus, where all activities are driven by the desire to make a positive difference for victims of human rights violations.
• An opportunity to become part of an international team of committed and highly skilled colleagues with a focus on setting the best framework for collaboration and joint learning.
• Flexible working hours and an emphasis on a good balance between work and private life.

Skills

We expect you to have a master’s degree in law, preferably with a specialisation in international human rights law (IHRL), international humanitarian law (IHL) or international criminal law (ICL).

We also expect that you have:

• A minimum of 7 years of demonstrated practical legal experience in documenting/investigating human rights violations and/or international crimes, or other relevant experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international human rights law, substantial and procedural, and preferably also knowledge of international criminal law and international humanitarian law.
• Experience in interviewing victims of torture and other human rights violations.
• Experience in training non-experts, especially on interviewing victims of torture and other human rights violations.
• Experience in documenting torture will be considered a distinctive asset.
• Fluency in English with proven writing skills.

Competency in written and oral Ukrainian and/or Russian will be considered a distinctive asset.

It is also important that you have:

• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking and with strong organisational and inter-personal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in an inter-disciplinary environment and across different cultures.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills, and ability to communicate effectively with different target audiences.
• Ability to work across a broad portfolio, manage complex workload and be responsive to evolving demands.
• Cultural and context sensitivity, high ethical standards and diplomatic skills.
• and that you are resourceful, creative, collegial, empathic and respectful.

Terms of employment

The position is placed in DIGNITY’s Prevention and Accountability Department with reference to the department director.

Your place of employment is Copenhagen at our main address at Bryggervangen 55, 2100 Kbh. Ø.

We expect you to have a civil registry address in Denmark during the full employment. We do not offer the possiblity to work from home from abroad. Please note, that the position will not be filled on a consultancy basis.

Expected entry is June 1, 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is temporary and expires on December 31, 2025, with a possibility of extension.

Your working hours are 37 hours per week.

You are expected to have up to 45 days of travel activity per year.

The employment is based on the Danish collective agreement for academics in the state. The salary level is based on skills and relevant. Please note that we do not offer coverage of cost in connection to a move to Denmark.