Senior legal expert on the independence of the judiciary in Lebanon – Short-term consultancy

Overview

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) seeks a senior Arabic-speaking legal expert to facilitate discussions on the independence of the judiciary in Lebanon. The overall objective is to produce a national action plan outlining agreed realistic judicial reforms required to uphold the independence of the judiciary in Lebanon with clearly allocated actions for different stakeholders, to be presented to relevant national authorities for endorsement and support (“National Action Plan”). This consultancy forms part of a joint project between the Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) and the ICJ, aiming to promote the independence of the judiciary in Lebanon. The consultant will report to the ICJ for administrative and financial matters, and will report to both ICJ’s MENA Director and CLDH’s Director for substantive purposes.

Responsibilities

● Act as a facilitator for three workshops on the independence of the judiciary gathering lawyers, judges and Core Group members organised by CLDH and ICJ in Beirut; engage in discussions, provide inputs and seek consensus; deliver presentations on the Lebanese legal framework; produce reports on the outcome of the discussions of the workshops.

● Hold consultation meetings with parliament members, ministers, Bars, judges, lawyers and civil society actors to feed the National Action Plan.

● Act as penholder for the drafting of the National Action Plan, in close collaboration with CLHD and ICJ; produce draft versions and incorporate inputs and comments.

● Participate in the presentation of the National Action Plan to relevant authorities and advocate for its endorsement, including the public launch event.

● Participate in the meetings of the Civil Society Core Working Group for Judicial Independence in Lebanon (“Core Group”) organized by CLDH and ICJ as necessary.

Qualifications and skills

● University degree in law required – emphasis on international human rights law preferred; ability to practice law in Lebanon as a judge or a lawyer strongly preferred.

● At least 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience – experience practicing in the Lebanese legal system strongly preferred.

● Excellent knowledge of the Lebanese justice system, legal framework, particularly the laws and practice relevant to judicial independence. Supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Funding Programme zivik

● Good knowledge of international human rights law and standards relevant to justice and judicial independence.

● Acute awareness of the ongoing trends, challenges and debate regarding judicial independence in Lebanon.

● Excellent diplomatic and interpersonal skills; proven ability to facilitate discussions on politically sensitive topics; demonstrated connections with the legal and political actors in Lebanon.

● Good analytical and drafting skills.

● Fluency in Arabic is a must; English would be an asset.

Contracting period: June- November 2022 Anticipated level of effort: 18 days total (7 days training, 8 days of consultation, 4 days work preparing National Action Plan)