Legal Officer: Asserting Contested Rights

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

LEGAL OFFICER: ASSERTING CONTESTED RIGHTS (36 months fixed contract) ISLA seeks to appoint a Legal Officer to act as the lead for the Asserting Contested Rights (ACR) Network of Lawyers sub-priority area (with a focus on sexual and gender minority rights - SOGIE) and support the organisation in establishing and strengthening an ACR Network of Lawyers. The Legal Officer shall work collaboratively with the Sexual Rights Managing Lawyer in establishing and strengthening an ACR thematic area within the Litigating for Social Change Unit and shall provide guidance to the SCLS and PKSC teams in implementing ACR projects within their priority areas.

Minimum Responsibilities

Minimum Responsibilities:

Network Development (40%)

Develop and publish standard operating procedures for the recruitment of a cohort of lawyers that shall become the Asserting Contested Rights Network (ACR) of Lawyers.
Review and revise existing tools for recruitment and engagement.
Map out and engage potential partners within the project countries.
Undertake a recruitment exercise and engage lawyers and partner organisations to be part of the ACR Network.

Institutional Strengthening/Movement Building (20%)

Support the process of modifying a curriculum for institutional strengthening/movement building for the ACR Network Partners.
Support the process of implementing the curriculum on institutional strengthening/movement building for ACR Network Partners.

Capacity Strengthening (10%)

Support the SCLS Manager in enhancing the internal capacity of ISLA to effectively support the ACR Network and LSC.
Support the process of transforming the outcomes of capacity-strengthening activities into valuable insights and accessible reports.
Collaborate with and work with other priority areas to enhance the effectiveness of capacity-building efforts and contributes to ISLA’s overarching mission of promoting justice, human rights, and strategic litigation in Africa.

Relationship Management and Collaborations (30%)

Build and maintain relationships with movements, lawyers, and organisations that form part of the ACR Network.
Identify partners we can work collaboratively with to enhance the impact of the ACR Network.
Provide effective guidance to navigate complex relationships in varying geographical and political landscapes.

Minimum Job Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements:

Education

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

Experience

Demonstrated experience in human rights through research, litigation, or programming, showing a strong understanding of the relevant frameworks, jurisprudence and advocacy strategies.
Knowledge and anti-rights actors, their strategies, and tools. This includes experience working around contested rights and sexual and gender minority rights.
Demonstrated experience with working with movements and building networks. With a focus on experience working with SOGIE communities.
Coordinating and managing projects and demonstrating evidence of being a self-driven, resourceful person who can manage and coordinate teamwork well.
Working on human rights issues that are emotive, contentious and polarizing.
Exhibit the highest standards of excellence and integrity, and display, at all times and to all persons, a courteous, professional and cooperative attitude.

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.
An ability to make a strategic and dynamic approach to the use of law as a tool for the promotion of human rights and can demonstrate this.
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.

Other Essentials Specific to the Job

Able and willing to travel occasionally 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.

Preference will be given to qualifying women applicants.

Additional Information

Salary: This position offers a competitive total cost to company salary of per annum Fifty-Five Thousand United States Dollars (US$55,000), and commensurate with experience.

Closing Date: 14 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.