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 National legal consultant for six months to work under the overall supervision of the Asia-Pacific Regional Director. The Consultant will work in constant collaboration with the rest of the ICJ South Asia team and under the guidance of the ICJ Regional Office and ICJ Headquarters, and with other project stakeholders.
The National Legal Consultant will have the following responsibilities:
- Monitor and analyze the legal and political developments in India relating to the human rights of detained human rights defenders (HRDs).
- Coordinate with human rights defenders, human rights lawyers and civil society organizations, and monitor legal proceedings to analyze the situation of human rights defenders in India.
- In coordination with the ICJ Asia office, conduct research and draft a research report on the barriers in the current legal frameworks that limit access to justice for detained HRDs in India based on an analysis of domestic law and international law and develop practical recommendations.
- In coordination with the ICJ Asia office, provide support to domestic lawyers engaged in monitoring ongoing criminal proceedings against HRDs and develop a report on criminal proceedings against the HRDs in India.
- Conduct awareness-raising and advocacy activities, including by liaising with civil society organizations, human rights defenders, human rights lawyers, judges and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to the planning, reviewing and monitoring of the project work plan as needed, and report against project progress, activities, and results, including, to donors.
- Maintain professional working relationships with human rights organizations, media, civil society groups, human rights defenders, lawyers, judges, and other relevant stakeholders with the aim of developing networks, alliances and coalitions to amplify the impact of the project.
- Assist in other ICJ activities at the request of the ICJ Asia Pacific Regional Director.
- Provide logistical and administrative support to the work of the ICJ as required.
- Collect and securely store all raw data from the research to be handed over at the end of the consultancy.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
The successful candidate will have:
Education & Experience
- University degree in law;
- Experience in human rights litigation with a focus on criminal litigation in India is essential;
- Experience working in trial courts in India is desirable;
- At least two-four years of experience working as a human rights lawyer in India;
- Demonstrated experience in human rights research and advocacy.
Essential and Desirable Skills
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of relevant Indian human rights law as relating to civil and political rights is essential;
- Knowledge and understanding of international human rights standards pertaining to civil and political rights is desirable;
- Network with and knowledge of Indian civil society organizations, human rights defenders and legal professionals engaged with supporting human rights defenders is desirable;
- Strong research, analytical, litigation and advocacy skills is essential;
- Strong command of English, both verbal and written is essential; knowledge of Hindi is highly desirable;
- Sound communication and inter-personal skills is essential;
- Ability to work well with a team as well as independently is required;
- Ability to maintain security and confidentiality considerations throughout the employment and beyond is essential;
- Commitment to human rights, rule of law, and the ICJ’s mandate and the project objectives.
The ICJ is an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply:
APPLICATIONS close on 30 January 2021 and should be addressed with your resume (maximum two pages), a cover letter (maximum two pages), and the names of at least two references to:
Ref: National Legal Consultant - India
By email: asia-recruitment@icj.org
Please appreciate that due to the volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. We cannot answer phone enquiries. We thank you for your understanding. Please note that the candidate should be located in New Delhi, India.