Johannesburg

Fixed term

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FLN In Francophone West Africa Legal Officer

About The Organisation

The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) is a feminist pan-African organisation focused on the strategic litigation of women’s human rights and sexual rights both at national levels and within the African human rights system. Our work is based on the belief that strategic litigation is an immensely powerful tool for social change because it helps to reframe the understanding of entitlements before the law and challenges the legal discourse. ISLA seeks to gain ground by creating domestic and regional jurisprudence in women’s human rights and sexual rights; strengthening the capacity of litigators and NGOs on the continent; and conducting rigorous research.

Overview of Work

FLN IN FRANCOPHONE WEST AFRICA LEGAL OFFICER The Feminist Litigation Network (FLN) aims to develop a pool of African feminist litigators by providing quality and long-term support to individuals and partner institutions who work on strategic litigation on ISLA’s thematic areas. We do this by investing in partner organisations - through multiple activities, mechanisms, and processes - to establish a new or strengthen an existing Strategic Litigation [SL] Unit or function. In doing this work, the FLN contributes to the ISLA’s Strategic Plan through the goal to “create an enabling environment for strategic litigation to happen with the focus on strengthening lawyers, social movements, and institutions that work on strategic litigation". ISLA is reimagining the FLN in Francophone West Africa (FWA) and seeks to appoint a Legal Officer to support our work in Francophone West Africa. The Legal Office shall be primarily responsible for language justice providing translation and interpretation services for all our work in FWA and internal work that requires translation. She shall support the Legal Manager in the re-imagination of the Feminist Litigation Network in FWA by supporting the establishing and strengthening our partnerships in FWA as well as supporting in the establishment of a Network of Partners in FWA. She shall also support in creatively communicating ISLA’s work in FWA and building our presence in the region.

Minimum Responsibilities

Minimum Responsibilities:

Language Justice (50%)

  • Interpretation of meetings and communications between ISLA and her partners in FWA.
  • Translation of documents necessary to support the work in FWA.
  • Supporting the language justice function internally at ISLA through interpretation services.

Network Development (10%)

  • Support the mapping out and engagement partners that can support the Strategy in Network Development in FWA;
  • Support the development of a database of partners that can be ISLA resources and sit within expert panels and advisory groups;
  • Support the development of a database of partners that can ISLA can work with for purposes of legal mobilisation and to support ongoing case work.

Relationship Management and Collaborations (40%)

  • Support the effective management of the relationship between ISLA and our partner in FWA.
  • Support in building and maintaining relationships with movements, lawyers, and organisations that form part of the FLN in FWA Network.

Minimum Job Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements:

  1. Education
  • A legal degree.
  • An advanced degree in human rights/political science will be an added advantage.

 

  1. Language
  • The applicant should be bilingual and should speak both French and English fluently.

 

  1. Experience
  • Demonstrated experience working in FWA with an appreciation of the political and legal landscape.
  • Demonstrated experience with working with movements and building networks. With a focus on experience working with women’s human rights organisations.
  • Coordinating and managing projects and demonstrating evidence of being a self-driven, resourceful person who can manage and coordinate teamwork well.
  • Exhibit the highest standards of excellence and integrity, and display, at all times and to all persons, a courteous, professional and cooperative attitude.

 

  1. Skills
  • Strong leadership skills with an ability to manage diverse relationships and partners effectively and efficiently.
  • An ability to navigate diverse geographical and political landscapes and maintain relationships with diverse partners.
  • Strong analytical background with the ability to provide solutions in a timely manner and guide teams towards the successful delivery of projects.
  • Meticulous attention to detail.
  • Understanding of constitutional, regional and international human rights law.
  • Knowledge and understanding of human rights as it relates to gender and human sexuality and feminist analysis.

 

  1. Other Essentials Specific to the Job
  • Able and willing to travel within Africa and outside of the continent when needed.
  • Commitment to the overall aims and values of ISLA, feminism and Pan Africanism
  • Expectation of occasional work outside regular weekday hours, as required to do the job.

 

  1. Preference will be given to qualifying women applicants.

Additional Information

Salary: This position offers a competitive total cost to company salary of per annum United States Dollars Forty-two thousand (US$42,000), and commensurate with experience.

Closing Date: 19 November 2024

Suitable candidates who meet the requirements for this position are invited to click here to complete an application form.

ISLA’s job application form replaces the need to submit a CV as we prefer to have standardised information provided by all candidates. Upon submission, the applications will be received by the ISLA recruitment team for selection. Only shortlisted candidates will receive feedback on their application with further requirements. Late applications will not be considered