Legal Advocacy Coordinator

Under the direct supervision of the Documentation Project Manager and the technical supervision of the Legal Advocacy Director, the Legal Advocacy Coordinator will oversee Yazda’s Legal Advocacy Team, working to pursue accountability, justice, and recognition for the Yazidi genocide committed by ISIL from August 2014. The Legal Advocacy team sits within the Documentation Project and works closely with survivors, government actors, and local and international stakeholders to carry out Yazda’s strategic advocacy objectives.

The Legal Advocacy Coordinator will perform the following tasks:

General Responsibilities

• Coordinate Yazda’s legal advocacy response to pursue criminal accountability for crimes against Yazidis in international and domestic jurisdictions, as well as other transitional justice mechanisms (reparations, truth-telling, etc.)
• Support to develop and implement Yazda’s legal advocacy strategy in Iraq and globally, in line with the survivor-centered approach
• Analyze survivor and witness testimonies and crime scene evidence, including mass graves, kill sites, captivity sites, and ISIS headquarters sites, for the purposes of building case files for war crimes units and prosecutors, and prepare reports for domestic and international advocacy efforts
• Carry out field and theory-based legal research and draft evidence-based legal documents, including position papers, reports, and legal briefs
• Based on evidence collected from the Documentation Program and externally, prepare reports on crimes committed by ISIL
• Ensure strategic delivery of advocacy messaging and develop public-facing advocacy products, press releases, and social media posts in coordination with the media team
• Strengthen evidence collection and archiving processes, including survivor interviews, to ensure adherence to international standards
• Develop internal procedures and tools to improve advocacy and ensure compliance with ethical best practice
• Develop and implement advocacy work plans, and provide regular updates on activities
• Draft donor reports and contributes to donor proposals and budget development in relation to advocacy activities
• Support the Documentation Project Manager in coordination with donors and partners
• Carry out all activities in line with internal procedures and the Code of Conduct
• Carry out any other tasks assigned and within the scope of the project’s mandate

Coordination Responsibilities

• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders, including community, government, survivors, I/NGOs, coalition groups, and networks to ensure advocacy campaigns are implemented in line with a survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach toward strategic advocacy objectives
• Coordinate with relevant UN Agencies, including UNITAD, for information sharing, coordination of advocacy efforts, and capacity building
• Coordinate with international prosecutions departments, particularly in Germany and France, and war crimes units to strengthen relationships, information sharing, and support prosecutions
• Coordinate with Yazda’s team of international experts and consultants related to legal advocacy, data protection, strategy development, international prosecutions, and transitional justice
• Coordinate with the team at Amal Clooney’s Chambers to further strategic advocacy and accountability objectives
• Whenever needed, represent Yazda at key stakeholder meetings, strengthen advocacy networks, and map opportunities to advance advocacy goals
• Work closely with documentation program staff to integrate advocacy into program planning and implementation

Management Responsibilities

• Manage a team of three made up of the legal advocacy officer, legal advocacy junior officer, and the advocacy and outreach officer to ensure high quality and timely delivery of project outcomes
• Identify and address technical capacity-building needs of advocacy staff
• Carry out all operational and HR requirements of line managers, including timesheets and leave requests, etc.

Required Professional Competencies:

• Masters of Laws or Juris Doctors in international law, international human rights law, international criminal law or international humanitarian law, or related field
• Bachelor’s degree in Law or related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in advocacy or human rights, preferably on an international level; management experience is a plus
• Strong understanding of the international law framework, including international crimes
• Strong understanding of women’s rights issues, GBV, and issues related to conflict-related sexual violence
• Experience practicing law or managing law/advocacy-related programs is desired
• Previous experience working in an NGO and the humanitarian context is desired
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

Required Behavioural Competencies:

• Action-orientated and results-driven
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Critical and strategic thinking
• Legal analysis and advocacy skills
• Ability to take the initiative and work as a team

Please note:

– benefits will be covered by Yazda.

– It is based in Dohuk, Iraq, with some remote working options available.

– This position is subject to funding.