HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER / International Criminal Law Advisor (Temporary Job Opening)

The Human Rights Officer / International Criminal Law Advisor will provide legal advice and conduct investigations related to international human rights, humanitarian and criminal law within the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan. The role involves legal research, drafting legal opinions, coordinating with gender advisors, and ensuring legal accuracy of reports and documents.

Responsibilities

• Advise the team on matters related to the applicable legal framework and the legal standards applicable to the human rights situation under investigation.
• Conduct legal research, prepare opinions regarding the application of international human rights, humanitarian criminal law and liaise with key transitional justice actors in Juba.
• Conduct investigations, including through interviews with victims and witnesses, to gather information and corroborate allegations of violations of international human rights, humanitarian or criminal law as stipulated in the Commission’s mandate.
• Suggest legal qualifications of gathered information, advise on the standard of proof and determine responsibilities and, where possible, identify those responsible.
• Provide advice on different legal issues and assist in drafting legal opinions, memoranda and other briefing documents for Commissioners and Commission staff.
• Ensure legal accuracy of all documents, including reports, submissions, press releases etc., prepared by the Secretariat.
• Identify trends and patterns of human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international criminal law and international humanitarian law.
• Draft the legal framework and analysis of the Commission's reports and ensure consistency of findings, conclusions and recommendations with the mandate, applicable law and information gathered.
• Conduct information gathering activities under the guidance of the Investigation Team Leader, including interviews and the collection and analysis of open sources material and satellite imagery.
• Ensure the legal analysis and legal qualification of the findings integrate gender perspective, reflecting the gender dimensions and gendered impact of the violations.
• Advise the Coordinator and the team on the legal findings and discuss the possible recommendations in particular, on accountability measures.
• Coordinate closely with the Gender Advisor and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Investigator to analyze documents already collected and identify gaps, including on gender relevant information; to ensure that findings on sexual and gender-based violence are effectively reflected in the analysis and to ensure gender sensitive analysis is consistent throughout the report.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international law, or another discipline related to human rights is required.
• A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in human rights, international humanitarian law, international criminal law is required.
• At least two years of experience in providing legal analysis to human rights investigative bodies or tribunals is required.
• Experience in the region is desirable.
• Knowledge of international legal procedures and instruments, including criminal law, both substantive and procedural.
• Ability to apply legal expertise to analyzing a diverse range of complex and unusual legal issues and problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions in prosecuting complex criminal cases.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive legal research on a range of issues, including those of a unique and/or complex nature.
• Proficiency in legal writing and expression and ability to prepare legal briefs, opinions, indictments or legal submissions/motions, and a variety of legal instruments and related documents.
• Ability to lead and cross-examine witnesses and make substantial legal arguments before Chambers of judges, or if required to take responsibility for the prosecution of criminal trials.
• Discretion and sound judgment in applying legal expertise to sensitive, complex legal issues.
• Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases.
• Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of UN system, organization and interrelationships.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• English is required at UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Skills

• International Human Rights Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• International Criminal Law
• Legal Analysis
• Legal Research
• Legal Writing
• Legal Briefs Drafting
• Legal Opinion Preparation
• Indictment Drafting
• Legal Submissions Assistance
• Witness Cross-Examination
• Criminal Trial Prosecution
• Negotiation Skills
• Gender Mainstreaming
• UN System Knowledge
• Legal Procedures Knowledge
• Legal Instruments Knowledge
• Case Management
• Deadline Management

Languages

English