Legal Advisor (Sri Lanka) At Legal Action Worldwide

THE POSITION

LAW is an independent, non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers and jurists working in 12 countries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We focus on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, rule of law and accountability, transformative justice and natural resource exploitation, and working to bring justice to those who need it most.

In Sri Lanka, LAW focuses on providing training for legal professionals in cases of sexual violence and child abuse, providing technical assistance to justice institutions, victim and survivor lawyers and university law faculties.

KEY INFORMATION

Where? The position will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka on a full-time basis on a 12-month Contract. Extension is possible subject to funding.

Salary: Competitive salary and rates apply.

Role Overview and Responsibility: To work closely with the Programme Manager in supporting the delivery of the project in the country. The Legal Advisor will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical

• Co-ordinate LAW Sri Lanka’s Gender Justice Legal Network (GJLN) including:
• Liaising with lawyers in the network in relation to case referrals;
• Monitor and follow up on case progress;
• Co-ordinate the mentoring and capacity building of GJLN lawyers
• Oversee implementation of LAW’s training schedule for GJLN lawyers;
• Devise strategies for GJLN expansion outside Colombo; Facilitate and deliver technical assistance to government departments,
• Provide technical expertise and supervision to partners and other stakeholders
• Conduct legal research;
• Manage relationships with partner organizations and coordinate implementation of activities by partners
• Coordinate and conduct trainings for government stakeholders and justice actors
• Provide capacity building to Sri Lankan lawyers and law undergraduates
• Contribute to fundraising
• Any other programmatic duties as specified by the LAW Sri Lanka Programme Manager or Senior Management of the organization

Reporting

• Contributing to donor reports and maintaining records to enable accurate and timely reporting.
• Attending meetings with donors and providing briefings on legal issues arising from the programme

Stakeholder engagement

• Representing LAW in Sri Lanka at events and conferences as needed, to raise the profile of the organisation;
• Liaise with LAW’s partners and local civil society organisations and members of the Sri Lankan legal profession

Administration

• Assisting with the overall operation of LAW in Sri Lanka including carrying out general administrative tasks;

Any other duties as specified by management

ABOUT YOU

• Sri Lankan national;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Law and/or human rights;
• Sri Lankan qualified lawyer with five or more years of practice experience in domestic criminal law, human rights or public law;
• Experience working with cases of sexual and gender-based violence;
• Masters’ qualification in criminal law, human rights or public international law preferred;
• Excellent written and oral English research and drafting skills;
• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is also required;
• Experience working with government or judicial institutions preferred;
• Knowledge and experience in implementing legal aid services, working with vulnerable communities and gender programming preferred;
• Strong written and spoken communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and take initiative;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;