Access to Justice Specialist at International Rescue Committee

Job Overview / Summary: 

The Access tJustice Specialist will lead the IRC’s new Access tJustice initiative – funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) – from April 2023 – March 2025, responsible for the implementation of all key objectives and deliverables of this initiative including technical, programmatic, financial and administrative responsibilities.

The Access tJustice Specialist will be based within the Violence Prevention and Response Unit (VPRU)’s Strategy and Learning Team which focuses on the development and testing of innovative programme models and approaches; development of programming tools, guidance, curriculum and other resources; the generation of evidence through research and learning; and evidence-based advocacy tinfluence policy and practice in the field of violence prevention and response. 

Major Responsibilities: 

Project Management, Oversight and Coordination: 

• Manage the access tjustice project, providing oversight of all programmatic, financial and administrative activities and deliverables.  
• Establish a core project team and initiate mechanisms for regular collaboration and coordination across VPRU. 
• Actively work with relevant IRC country and headquarters staff tidentify project pilot countries.
• Oversee piloting in all three pilot country locations, ensuring effective implementation and coordination. 

Learning and Impact:

• Establish twproject advisory groups and ensure ongoing coordination between the advisory groups and all core project team members.
• Develop and manage a Community of Practice (CoP) and support stakeholders within this space tcontribute tand support key project resources and learnings.
• Package and disseminate the growing evidence base, learning, and good practices on relevant internal (Kaya Connect, IRC.org; RescueNet) and external platforms (GPC Website). 
• Ensure dissemination, through the CoP and the project’s Advisory Groups of key project resources and learnings.
• Document evidence and learning from pilot locations.
• Ensure the production of quality knowledge management products (including but not limited tcase studies, resource package and training materials) of the project. 
• Document and share learning internally tsupport better access tjustice in crisis program design – linking tEHAU Protection in Emergency conversations, coordinating regularly with the Violence Prevention and Response in Emergencies (VPRiE) Specialist.

Dissemination and External Representation:

• Lead IRC’s external representation for the project, including ensuring continued coordination and collaboration with external stakeholders within the relevant global humanitarian architecture and alsrepresentative organisations and local and national partners.
• Participate in external working groups, inter-agency task forces and academic conferences that focus on access tjustice timprove practice, shape policies and build new and innovative approaches.
• Present IRC research findings from pilots across contexts and relevant external conferences and events.

Grant Management

• Track and update a workplan and spending plan for successful implementation of the Project, in coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor – Technical Innovations, STA Protection and Rule of Law, and nominated Grant Management lead.
• Contribute tprogrammatic donor reports, communications, and participate in meetings/calls as needed tkeep the donor apprised of program progress.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: Senior Technical Advisor – Technical Innovations, Strategy and Learning Team, Violence Prevention and Response Unit (VPRU)
• Position directly supervises: N/A
• Regular internal (IRC) contact with: Fellow members of the Strategy and Learning Team including the STA for Technical Innovations, STA for Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) as well as PRoL, WPE, CP Technical Advisors for focal countries; IRC country program staff in selected pilot countries; Nominated MEL Advisor; EHAU Violence Prevention and Response in Emergencies (VPRiE) team.
• Regular external contact with:  Key access tjustice external stakeholders as well as engagement with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Personal Specification: 

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years professional experience (of which 3 years should be practical experience) in implementing and/or leading Protection & Rule of Law or Access tJustice programs is required, preferably within a humanitarian, international development setting. 
• Experience working with formal and informal justice systems e.g., courts, legal aid, prosecutors, police, paralegals, and traditional justice leaders.
• Experience in elaborating strategic documents and conducting research.
• Experience in stakeholder coordination, activity design and delivery, training, and facilitation Experience: 
• Expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation, with the ability tturn concepts and strategy intmeasurable action. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s/post-graduate degree in Law or related field (international law, human rights law, judicial reform, security sector reform, international development, public policy, international relations or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Language: For this position, fluent oral and written English is essential. Ability twork in French or Arabic is highly desirable due toperating context of East Africa & West Africa.