Short Term Consultancy, Legal Advocacy Consultant at Physicians for Human Rights

Short Term Consultancy, Legal Advocacy Consultant

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), which shared in the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, is a U.S.-based international advocacy organization working at the intersection of medicine, science, and law. With a global network of thousands of medical, scientific, and legal experts, PHR uses the power of medical and scientific evidence to document human rights and humanitarian law violations and prevent abuses, protect survivors, and promote justice and universal human rights for all.

Building upon its highly respected place in the field, and supported by a committed and talented team, PHR seeks a Short Term Consultancy, Legal Advocacy Consultant.

Location: This position is located in our Nairobi, Kenya office, but is remote while offices remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic**

Classification: This is a temporary consultancy of 30 days over a 3-month fixed time period (January-April 2022)

Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work in Kenya

Reports to: Director of Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones (SVCZ)

Organizational Overview

Physicians for Human Rights was founded in 1986 by five physicians who were united in the belief that health professionals, with their specialized skills, ethical duties, and credible voices, are uniquely positioned to prevent harm and promote respect for human rights. Since its founding, PHR has built a long and distinguished record of accomplishment by conducting groundbreaking investigations and advocacy, in concert with strategic partners.

PHR’s approach includes extensive documentation of the use of illegal and inhumane weapons in armed conflicts, attacks on civilians, and the physical and psychological impacts of torture and sexual violence as a weapon of war. Other core activities include protecting the rights of those seeking asylum in the United States, the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, and halting attacks on medical facilities and frontline health professionals.

Role Description

PHR seeks to engage a short-term consultant to support the Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones’ legal and policy initiatives in Kenya. The consultant will support PHR’s pending litigation and lead the development of PHR’s advocacy strategy to address election-related sexual violence in advance of the upcoming 2022 elections in Kenya, including engagement with partners. The consultant will also undertake capacity-building on legal and policy issues for PHR’s partners and multi-sectoral networks, and conduct advocacy to support legislation on mental health. This consultancy will also support grant proposal development and reporting related to legal and policy advocacy.

The ideal candidate will be a lawyer with experience conducting capacity-buildings, developing and executing legislative and policy advocacy, and supporting litigation related to gender-based violence. The consultant will report to the Director of the Program on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones, based in New York.

This part time consultancy will take place for a period of 30 days, spread over 3 months (ideally starting in January 25, 2022- April 30, 2022).

Responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities by the consultant will be:**

• Support the Program on SVCZ in its capacity development initiatives;
• Gather, and share learnings from the capacity development training engaged in;
• Undertake legal research on different issues relevant to the Program’s core mandate;
• Develop an advocacy action plan;
• Map out, and engage key actors working towards prevention, and response to Electoral-Related Sexual Violence;
• Support resource mobilization strategies as appropriate including providing technical input in the development of proposals;
• Support existing, and potential donor relations management;
• Support development of result-based donor reports; and
• Act as the legal liaison with the advocate on record for the SGBV Public Interest Litigation.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

• A Master’s degree in human rights, law or related field;
• A minimum of 7 years of experience working on Health , gender justice, and human rights;
• Proven expertise in advocacy both at the national, and regional level;
• Experience with project management, and monitoring systems;
• Demonstrated experience providing capacity development and training to different actors/multi-sectoral professionals;
• Proven expertise in managing health related or human rights programs;
• Demonstrated ability to identify priority actions, generate and complete work plans within short time frames
• Experience engaging state, and non-state agencies,
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English, and Kiswahili
• Ability to work in a fast paced work environment;
• Ability, and experience working in a multi-cultural setting

Salary and Benefits

There is a competitive consultancy proposed rate; this short-term consultancy is ineligible for PHR benefits.