Legal Adviser, Africa Regional Programme at International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya)

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Reporting directly to the Director of Africa Regional Programme, the Legal Adviser holds the following responsibilities:

• Contribute to the execution of research and advocacy on ESCR and Disability and Access to Justice in Africa and globally;
• Interact with existing and potential funders on work relating to ESCR, Disability and Access to Justice;
• Manage, develop and deepen ICJ’s relationships with partners organizations in Lesotho and Eswatini in particular;
• Develop materials for the training of Judicial officers in Africa on the right to education with a focus on the Abidjan Principles and the impact of privatization of education on human rights;
• Liaise with judiciaries and judicial training institutes to host training events on the Right to Education in Uganda and Lesotho;
• Liaise with civil society organizations working on the right to education in African countries, with a particular focus on Uganda and Lesotho, in order support strategic litigation on the right to education;
• Alongside the ICJ’s Legal Advisers and Africa Director develop a concept note for, plan and implement an inaugural global symposium on “Global Legal Reform in Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities”;
• Alongside the ICJ’s Legal Advisers and Africa Director conduct advocacy on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities in selected African countries and globally;
• Support the ICJ’s Legal Advisers and Africa Director in completion of advocacy activities and events on a wide range of areas relating to promotion of human rights and the rule of law;
• With reasonable notice, be available to travel to programme events;
• Work closely with ICJ staff and partner organisations in the region, as designated by the ICJ;
• Contribute to the domestication and contextualization of ICJ publications;
• Provide sound and timely legal advice on specific regional and national human rights and rule of law issues;
• Represent the ICJ at meetings and dialogue platforms with various stakeholders;
• Organize and participate in ICJ missions, trial observations and seminars;
• Provide research, drafting and editing reports, briefings, press releases, opinion pieces, web stories, advocacy papers, publications and other written material as required;
• Inform and mobilize the ICJ Network in support of the work of the Africa Regional Programme;
• Contribute to fundraising and assist in managing the Programme resources and budget;
• Carry out other, appropriate responsibilities as requested by the Africa Regional Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have:

Education

• University degree in law, Master’s degree desirable.

Work experience

• A minimum of 3-5 years of relevant legal experience at national or international level including with non- or inter-governmental organizations;
• A minimum of 3 years demonstrable experience working in the field of ESCR (and in particular the right to education), Rule of law (and in particular access to justice) and disability rights with civil society, disabled persons organizations, lawyers, judicial officers and government officials and other justice sector actors are required;
• Litigation experience is an added advantage.

Language skills

• English, Desirable to have French, Portuguese.

Other competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to human rights, equality and non-discrimination and the rule of law;
• Excellent legal, political judgment and proven ability to develop and carry out innovative legal advocacy strategies;
• Demonstrated excellent analytical and writing competency;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Sound organizational skills and the ability to manage conflicting demands and to meet deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work with senior government officials and judicial officers;
• Strong motivator for colleagues;
• Openness and flexibility, capacity to adapt to changing priorities and needs
• Willingness to travel regularly