Legal Researcher, Disability and Human Rights Advocacy

Job location: South Africa or Kenya, home-based;

(remote from a country where you have the right to work may be considered, within East Africa time zone +/- 1 hour)

Target start date: January 2024

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a worldwide organization of judges and lawyers united in affirming international law and rule of law principles that advance human rights. Its strategic goals for 2021-2025 are: (1) to develop, defend, and strengthen international institutions, instruments, and standards on rule of law and human rights; (2) to improve domestic implementation of, and compliance with, international law and standards; (3) to bolster the effectiveness and independence of judges and lawyers; and (4) to improve access to justice for all and accountability. With its Headquarters based in Geneva, Switzerland, ICJ has a presence in Africa, Latin America, Asia & the Pacific, Europe & Central Asia, and the Middle East.

To help ensure the organization fulfils its objective of advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa we are seeking a full-time Legal Researcher. The ideal candidate is familiar with legal research, policy formulation, and disability and human rights advocacy; has demonstrable experience engaging with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and human rights NGOs at the national, regional or international level; is able to engage in public advocacy; and ready to work in a collaborative way to deliver high-quality work on time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Contribute to the execution of research and advocacy on disability and access to justice, as well as access to a full range of economic, social, civil and political rights of persons with disabilities;
• Support ICJ staff with documenting and disseminating case studies and experiences of persons with disabilities in Africa, including on when they come into contact with the law as witnesses, survivors of abuses and accused persons;
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of advocacy materials, with a focus on fast tracking the ratification and implementation of the Africa Disability Protocol;
• Provide support to OPDs and CSOs to plan and execute in-country strategic litigation on disability rights in Africa;
• Develop relationships between the ICJ and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and civil society organizations in Africa in order to support strategic litigation on disability rights;
• Support the ICJ in planning and implementing in-country workshops with policy makers, civil society and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities to support advocacy on ratification and implementation of the Africa Disability Protocol;
• Support Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and civil society in Africa in making submissions to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other relevant bodies;
• Support the ICJ’s Legal Advisers and Africa Director in planning and implementing a regional convening on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities;
• Support the ICJ Africa team in completion of advocacy activities and events on a wide range of areas relating to promotion of human rights and the rule of law, including but not limited to disability rights;
• With reasonable notice, be available to travel to programme events nationally, regionally and internationally;
• Provide research, drafting and editing support for reports, briefings, press releases, opinion pieces, web stories, advocacy papers, publications and other written material as required;
• Carry out other, appropriate responsibilities as delegated by the ICJ Africa Regional Director.

PROFILE

The successful candidate will have:

Education & Experience

• University degree in law is required, master’s degree in law or related field desirable;
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant legal experience at national, regional or international level;
• A minimum of 2 years demonstrable experience working in the field of human rights (and in particular disability rights), Rule of law (and in particular access to justice) with civil society, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, lawyers, judicial officers and government officials and other justice sector actors;
• Litigation experience is an added advantage.

Language skills

• Excellent communication skills and written skills in English is required. French, Portuguese proficiency is desirable but not required.

Essential Skills

• 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 meet deadlines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team;
• Ability to work with senior government officials and judicial officers;
• Openness and flexibility, capacity to adapt to changing priorities and needs;

Availability to travel on a regular basis.