Legal Researcher

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a worldwide network of judges and lawyers united in affirming international law and rule of law principles that advance human rights. We are recruiting a Legal Researcher to work on the ICJ projects, based in our office in Tunis, Tunisia. The ideal candidates have native fluency in Arabic and excellent oral and written French and/or English skills. They have knowledge and experience of international human rights and humanitarian law and a keen interest in human rights legal research and advocacy as well as a sound understanding of the history, politics and legal framework of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, in particular Libya and Tunisia.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Director of the MENA Programme, the Legal Researchers will contribute to implementing the ICJ’s MENA programme of work in Libya and Tunisia; in particular:

 Monitor and analyse the legal and political developments in Libya and Tunisia relating to the rule of law, human rights and the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession;

 Draft legal briefings and memoranda, amicus curiae briefs, public statements, opinion briefs and reports, and press releases relating to the ICJ’s work in Libya and Tunisia;

 Provide logistical support to the work of the MENA programme, in particular in preparing the missions and seminars that the ICJ will carry out in Tunisia and Libya;

 Assist in developing and maintaining a substantive dialogue on issues related to the work of the MENA programme in Libya and Tunisia with multiple stakeholders, in particular representatives of civil society as well as the judicial, legal and human rights communities;

 Assist in identifying, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with counterparts in relevant international, regional and national human rights organisations with the aim of developing networks, alliances and coalitions;

 Inform and mobilize the ICJ Network in support of the work of the programme;

 Ensure close internal coordination between the MENA programme and other ICJ programmes;

 In conjunction with staff responsible for finance, assist in preparing and managing the MENA programme’s budget for Libya and Tunisia as well as monitoring expenditures;

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have:

Education & Experience

 A degree in law. Further academic studies in international human rights law and international humanitarian law is highly desirable;

 A minimum of five years of legal experience, including with non-governmental or inter-governmental organizations in Libya, Tunisia or other MENA countries;

 In-depth experience of legal and field research for advocacy purposes;

 Native Arabic with excellent oral and written English and/or French skills.

 Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team;

The ICJ is an equal opportunities employer.