Senior legal advisor

Do you want to work in a human rights organization that makes a concrete and positive difference for vulnerable people around the world? And do you have a masters degree in law and a focus on accountability for human rights violations and international crimes?

Then DIGNITY can offer you an exciting opportunity, as we have a vacant position as senior legal advisor in our department for Prevention and Accountability (P&A).

Since 1982, DIGNITY has worked for a world free of torture and violence. We are a human rights and development organization that also runs a rehabilitation clinic in Denmark. We prevent torture and violence, treat traumatized victims, and document serious human rights violations so that those responsible can be held accountable.

In our P&A department, we have gathered our work on advisory and advocacy on torture and human rights. Here, we have a particular focus on strategic and knowledge development as well as consultancy and capacity building of DIGNITY's international partners within torture prevention, documentation, accountability, and advocacy. The department has approx. 15 legal and healthcare employees and a smaller number of associated consultants. The department is managed by the head of department and the deputy head.

About the position

As legal advisor your core responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with DIGNITY’s partner organisations on the documentation of torture and related violations of international criminal law (ICL) and international humanitarian law (IHL).
• Building capacity and advising DIGNITY and its partners in such documentation, including collection, recording, preservation and storage of relevant information and evidence with a view to informing submissions to accountability bodies.
• Assessing the quality and sufficiency of the evidentiary materials collected through DIGNITY and partners’ accountability projects.
• Supporting case-building in national criminal proceedings and before international human rights mechanisms.
• Drafting and reviewing submissions to national, regional and international human rights and accountability bodies.
• Drafting advocacy reports and undertaking advocacy in relation to United Nations and regional human rights mechanisms.

The position is expected to include up to 45 days of travel abroad per year.

We offer you:

• A job in a dynamic organization with a global outlook and a strong professional focus, where all activities are driven by the desire to make a positive difference for victims of human rights violations.
• An opportunity to become part of an international team of committed and highly skilled colleagues with a focus on setting the best framework for collaboration and joint learning.
• Flexible working hours and an emphasis on a good balance between work and private life.

Skills

Master’s degree in law, with a specialization in international criminal law and/or international humanitarian law. A specialization in international human rights law is desirable.

We also expect that you have:

• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated practical legal experience in documenting or investigating human rights violations within international criminal and/or humanitarian law, including collecting, recording, preserving and storing relevant information.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international criminal law and/or international humanitarian law, substantial and procedural. Knowledge of international human rights law is highly desirable.
• Experience in conducting survivor-centred interviews of victims and witnesses of human rights violations and/or international crimes.
• Experience in capacity building in relation to investigation or documentation of torture and related violations of international criminal and humanitarian law.
• Experience in drafting submissions to national, regional and international human rights and accountability bodies, including international criminal tribunals and courts.
• Experience in drafting advocacy reports and in undertaking international advocacy vis-à-vis UN human rights bodies and regional organisations.
• Fluency in English with proven writing skills.

Experience from UN accountability mechanisms, international courts, national prosecution authorities or NGOs working on international criminal justice is a distinct asset.

It is also important that you have:

• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking and with strong organisational and inter-personal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in an inter-disciplinary environment and across different cultures.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills, and ability to communicate effectively with different target audiences.
• Ability to work across a broad portfolio, manage a complex workload and be responsive to evolving demands.
• Cultural and context sensitivity, high ethical standards and diplomatic skills.
• and that you are resourceful, creative, collegial, empathic and respectful.

Terms of employment

The position is placed in DIGNITY's Prevention and Accountability Department with reference to the department director.

Your place of employment is Copenhagen at our main address at Bryggervangen 55, 2100 Kbh. Ø.

We expect you to have a civil registry address in Denmark during the full employment. We do not offer the possiblity to work from home from abroad. Please note, that the position will not be filled on a consultancy basis.

Expected entry is August 15, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Your working hours are 37 hours per week, with the expectation that additional work may take place. It will be possible to take time off after having additional working hours within our flexible work schedule.

You are expected to have up to 45 days of travel activity per year.

The employment is based on the Danish collective agreement for academics in the Danish State. The salary level is based on skills and relevant experience and within a range of DKR 47-50.000 (gross, monthly) + pension (18,07%).

For non-Danish candidates, please notice that we do not offer coverage of cost in connection to a move to Denmark. We assist you in applying for a Danish residence and work permit, and upon arrival in Denmark we offer assistance through external consultant in regard to Danish taxation, creation of a bank account and similar basic requirements for residence in Denmark.

More info

Further information regarding the position can be obtained by contacting our department director, Therese Rytter, on tel. 60 10 88 10 /email: TR@dignity.dk.

Applications with CV, diploma and any other relevant documents are submitted via the link no later than June 8, 2025.

We expect to hold interviews on June 17 in Copenhagen or digitally, and possibly also a second round of interviews on June 23, which will take place in Copenhagen.

You can read about DIGNITY's processing of your personal data in our privacy policy, which you can find here: https://www.dignity.dk/privatlivspolitik/

DIGNITY is an international human rights and development organization that has worked for a world free of torture and violence since 1982. We prevent torture and violence, treat traumatized victims and document serious human rights violations so that those responsible can be prosecuted. You can read more about our organization and work at www.dignity.dk. DIGNITY regards diversity as a strength and therefore encourages all qualified persons to apply for the position regardless of ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age.