Legal Officer

The Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice is seeking to appoint an experienced Legal Officer (immediate appointment) for a full-time position to be based in our office in The Hague, Netherlands. The Legal Officer will be part of a small, highly efficient and motivated team.

Deadline: March 8, 2015

Location: The Hague, Netherlands 

Organization: The Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice

The Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice is an international women’s human rights organisation that advocates for accountability for gender-based crimes through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and domestic mechanisms, including through the participation of women in peace-building and formal peace negotiation processes. The organisation works with women most affected by each of the armed conflict situations under investigation by the ICC.

The organisation has extensive country-based programmes in collaboration with local and regional partners in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Libya, along with ICC-related legal monitoring and advocacy programmes on the Central African Republic, Kenya, the Ivory Coast and Mali.

The organisation is seeking to appoint an experienced Legal Officer (immediate appointment).

Applications close on Sunday, 8 March 2015.

This is a full-time position based in The Hague Office.

The Legal Officer will be part of a small, highly efficient and motivated team. More details about the organization can be found at www.iccwomen.org.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Contribute to the development of strategic legal publications, including the Legal Eye on the ICC e-letter, the organization’s annual, flagship publication Gender Report Card on the ICC, expert papers, articles and other legal material; 

Monitor and conduct in-depth research, written summaries and analysis regarding legal developments at the ICC in relation to proceedings, cases and decisions; 

Conduct legal research and analysis to contribute to the preparation of amicus briefs and other submissions; 

Contribute to communications, including the drafting of press statements, website postings and communication for social media; 

Participate in the development of campaigns, advocacy programmes and related strategies; 

Provide support for the organization’s country-based work; 

Contribute to the development and execution of strategic events; 

Contribute to funding applications and reports; 

Represent the Women’s Initiatives at external meetings, conferences and events.

The Legal Officer will report directly to the Senior Legal Officer.

Qualifications and Experience 

Law degree; 

At least five years relevant professional experience in the field of international law; 

Expertise in international criminal law and familiarity with the International Criminal Court, including knowledge of the Rome Statute, Elements of Crimes and Rules of Procedure and Evidence;

Experience working at either national or international level including within legal institutions/INGO/NGO sector; 

Proven track-record in legal analysis; 

Highly developed legal research, writing and editorial skills with experience in developing high quality material suitable for publication; 

Strong analytical skills and ability to absorb and analyse information quickly; 

Extremely attentive to accuracy and detail; 

Highly organized with demonstrated ability to work well under pressure regarding deadlines, workload and unexpected developments; 

Excellent communication abilities, including effective inter-personal skills and the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with a diverse range of colleagues, partners and allies; 

Ability to respond positively to feedback and direction; 

Highly advanced computer literacy skills, experience with social media also an asset; 

Ability, willingness and flexibility to travel and respond to a range of environments; 

Expertise in gender analysis and women’s rights strongly preferred.
Knowledge of Languages Excellence in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of French would be considered an asset but is not required.

Remuneration: This is a full time post with a competitive salary package and entitlements.

Work visa and residency documentation and related expenses will be coordinated and provided by the organisation.

How to apply?
In order to apply for the Legal Officer position, please send the following information to info@iccwomen.org, using “Application Legal Officer” as subject line:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. An unedited writing sample (15 pages or less), on a topic relevant to our work.
3. One A4-page (about 500 words) explaining why you are interested in working with us. Please include in this letter your connection to gender and women’s rights issues as well as a description of your expertise and how that may be of benefit to us.
4. The names and contact details of three referees. Before sending your application, please review the information on our website (www.iccwomen.org) carefully.

Application deadline:

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The deadline for applications is Sunday, 8 March 2015.
Only short-listed individuals will be invited for an interview. No phone calls, please.