Assistant Counsel

Public International Law & Policy Group Overview

The Public International Law & Policy Group, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is a non-profit organization that operates as a global, pro bono law firm providing free legal assistance to governments, sub-state entities and civil society groups engaged in negotiating and implementing peace agreements, drafting post-conflict constitutions, and establishing and operating transitional justice mechanisms. To facilitate the utilization of this legal assistance, PILPG also provides policy formulation advice and training on matters related to conflict resolution.

PILPG has advised over 30 governments, sub-state entities, and civil society organizations involved in the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements, post-conflict constitutions, and transitional justice mechanisms, including in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burma, Egypt, Darfur, Georgia, Kenya, Kosovo, Iraq, Libya, Montenegro, Nepal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen. PILPG has also provided legal assistance to every international and hybrid criminal tribunal.

Position Description

PILPG is currently searching for a dynamic professional who is passionate about peace negotiations, human rights, rule of law, and transitional justice to support PILPG’s global programs and operations as an Assistant Counsel. Assistant Counsel is responsible for working closely with members of PILPG’s senior team to provide legal advice to PILPG’s clients and help manage the implementation of programs.

Roles and Responsibilities

Assistant Counsel will have responsibilities across PILPG, including those listed below.

The Assistant Counsel will serve as the Program Manager on at least two distinct programs. PILPG is a leader in providing responsive and innovative legal and policy support to clients in conflict and post-conflict environments, and implements a portfolio of global programs in furtherance of its mission. The Assistant Counsel will work closely with PILPG’s client service teams to manage the implementation of assigned programs, including providing substantive advice to clients and beneficiaries, participating in trainings and workshops, managing project team engagement and workload, and overseeing the research, drafting, editing, and delivery of policy proposal, training materials, and legal analyses.

The Assistant Counsel will also support PILPG field staff and senior members of client teams with program management tasks, including tracking monitoring and evaluation indicators, establishing and reviewing work plans, and preparing periodic reports on program progress for submission to PILPG’s funders. The Assistant Counsel will also play a crucial role in supporting new business development by assisting with proposal drafting and sourcing new opportunities. The Assistant Counsel’s support in this area allows PILPG to stay on the cutting edge of public international law programming.
Collaboration & Professional Development

PILPG is committed to fostering a network of professionals working in the field of public international law. As such, the Assistant Counsel will be an active member of PILPG’s professional network within and outside of the DC office. The Assistant Counsel will participate in events, presentations, and meetings with alumni and staff around the world; and collaborate with the PILPG team to provide support to large projects and initiatives. The Assistant Counsel will additionally assist PILPG senior management in managing relationships with funders and implementing partners.

Location

Remote

Position Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To qualify for the Assistant Counsel position, candidates should hold a law degree; a current bar membership; one to two years of previous professional experience, preferably in international law or a relevant field; fluency in English and strong legal drafting, editing, and research skills. An outstanding candidate will be an effective communicator and demonstrate the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple clients and projects.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have prior experience working at or with a non-profit organization; previous experience managing programs in accordance with USG or other donors’ requirements; experience with human rights documentation; experience or interest in strategic communications; and experience managing people and human resource processes.

Salary

The salary range for this position is based on experience, and will be between $40,000-$45,000 annually. PILPG operates with step-based salary scale based on years of experience.