Senior Legal Officer At Syria Civil Defense (White Helmets)

ABOUT STICHTING WHITE HELMETS FOUNDATION

Stichting White Helmets Foundation (SWHF) is a not-for-profit organisation based in the Netherlands. The Foundation aims to provide aid to communities and persons recovering from conflicts and disasters; provide support and orientation to refugees and communities in hosting countries; support justice, human rights efforts, international advocacy and research activities.

Stichting White Helmets Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and applications are actively encouraged from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Senior Legal Officer (SLO) will make suggestions based on preliminary research on areas of legal submissions, provides the legal framework for each investigation, makes request for evidence to the Lead Investigator facilitated by the unit manager, provides the legal review of the evidence, conducts the legal research and application of law to facts and the overall drafting of the submission, which then is given to the manager for review. The SLO will be the person with the primary responsibility of creating a complete submission.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

• Duty station: The Netherlands
• Line manager: Investigation Support and Case-building Manager
• Line management Responsibility: NA
• Full-time/Part-time: Full-time

Tasks and activities:

• Identify legal avenues for case building and submissions.
• Research and explain legal frameworks and the evidentiary requirements to meet legal standards for a submission, including admissibility criteria.
• Work closely with the Lead Investigator to make requests for facts and provide legal analysis to facts given.
• Draft and make submissions to legal bodies.
• Ensure all outputs are maintained at the highest legal quality.
• In coordination with the manager, engage with Syrian and international actors on submissions, partnerships and advocacy tasks that advance the goal of the position.
• Maintain and update case management platforms to systemize evidence pertinent to international crimes.

Required qualifications: Education, Experience and Competencies:

• An advanced degree in law, with a focus on international criminal law and international human rights law is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in positions requiring legal research, drafting and analysis, preferably in the context of making submissions to national or international legal bodies.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English & is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.
• A good understanding of the Syrian accountability scene;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Strong time management and ability to meet deadlines;
• Strong organisational skills and keen attention to detail;
• High standards of confidentiality, reliability and discretion.
• Integrity by sharing the SWHF’s values and ethical standards.