The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a worldwide network of judges and lawyers united in affirming international law and rule of law principles that advance human rights.
We are recruiting a Legal Research Consultant to work on an ICJ project based in our office in Johannesburg, South Africa focusing on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) in Africa between 1 September 2021 – 31 December 2021 at a fulltime effort level (ordinary office hours five days a week).
The ideal candidate has excellent oral and written English skills as well as solid research experience. They have knowledge and experience of international human rights law and a keen interest in human rights legal research and advocacy as well as a sound understanding of legal frameworks in the Africa Region and the African Human Rights System.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Director of the Africa Regional Programme, the Legal Researcher will contribute to implementing the ICJ’s Africa Regional Programme of work in, in particular:
- Preparing a comprehensive summary of important ground-breaking judgments on ESCR throughout Africa, including domestic courts and sub-regional and regional decision making bodies, and performing other tasks relating to preparation for a colloquium on ESCR in Africa;
- Developing relationships with civil society organizations, Human Rights Defenders and human rights lawyers involved in litigating ESCR cases to draw strategic insights on how they were litigated;
- Analysing and assessing common themes derived from judgments and litigation strategies of civil society organizations;
- Providing ad hoc support and research assistance on ESCR to ICJ’s Africa team on ESCR;
- Remaining available to attend online meetings and events during office hours on weekdays; and
- Performing other research and administrative tasks related to the completion of these tasks.
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will have:
Education & Experience
- A degree in law. Further academic studies in international human rights law is highly desirable;
- A minimum of two years of legal experience, including legal research, with non-governmental or inter-governmental organizations in Africa. Experience of legal research with a focus ESCR and ESCR litigation in Africa highly desirable;
- In-depth experience of legal and field research for advocacy purposes;
- Excellent oral and written English skills; and
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team.
How to apply
APPLICATIONS close on 24th August 2021 and should be addressed with your CV (maximum two pages), a cover letter (maximum one page) and a writing sample:
Ref: Legal Researcher ESCR Africa Programme
By email: recruitment@icj.org
Please appreciate that due to the volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The ICJ is unable to respond to phone enquiries. We thank you for your understanding.
The ICJ is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and value a diverse workforce. The ICJ’s policy is to practice a fair and non-discriminatory recruitment and selection procedure and to strive for and maintain international and multi-cultural personnel.
Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.