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.

The ICJ’s international secretariat in Geneva is seeking to recruit a Legal Officer to lead its long-standing and expanding work on economic, social and cultural rights.

The ICJ works for victims to obtain remedies for violations of their economic, social and cultural rights. The ICJ is therefore advocating the creation of an individual complaints procedure at the United Nations and plays a leading role in a global coalition of NGOs campaigning to achieve this goal. To increase access to remedies, the ICJ carries out strategic litigation in selected international, regional and national fora. It carries out research and advocacy to demonstrate to judges, lawyers and governmental policy-makers that economic, social and cultural rights are justiciable. The ICJ also works for corporations to be legally accountable for the impact of their actions on human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Director, International Law and Protection Programme, the Legal Officer will provide legal and advocacy expertise and lead the ICJ’s work on economic, social and cultural rights, especially to strengthen remedies for violations of economic, social and cultural rights and the justiciability of these rights. Specifically, the Legal Officer will:

Develop and implement innovative ICJ advocacy strategies on economic, social and cultural rights. Lead ICJ’s advocacy for the creation of a United Nations individual complaints procedure (as an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). Actively participate in and support the work of the global NGO Coalition working for this new procedure.

Analyse and advise the ICJ and its network on relevant legal (and political) developments at the national, regional and international levels and research and write ICJ network and public documents.

Through the preparation of amicus curiae briefs and other legal interventions, support selected strategic litigation at the international, regional and national levels.

Inform and mobilise the ICJ network in support of the organization’s advocacy strategies on economic, social and cultural rights.

Advise and assist in building the capacity of the ICJ to integrate economic, social and cultural rights into other ICJ programmes.

Supervise the work of relevant consultants and interns.

Manage the progress of the programme of work, including: regular monitoring and reporting on progress, financial management, and the review and development of strategy papers for future ICJ work on economic, social and cultural rights.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant will have:

A degree in law. Further academic studies in law and human rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights, highly desirable.

At least six years experience as a human rights lawyer including at least three years in the practical, legal application of economic, social and cultural rights.

Excellent knowledge of international human rights law and of relevant international, regional and national jurisprudence on economic, social and cultural rights. Excellent knowledge of the United Nations human rights system. Knowledge of one or more regional human rights systems highly desirable.

Excellent political judgment and the ability to develop and implement innovative advocacy strategies.

A commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

Excellent written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Arabic, French, or Spanish highly desirable.

Understanding of and experience in programme management highly desirable.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team.

Applicants from Africa, the Middle East and Asia are particularly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATIONS close on 12 September 2005 and should be addressed with your resume and the names and contact details of at least two referees to:

International Commission of Jurists
P.O. Box 216
1219 Châtelaine – Geneva
Switzerland

E-mail address: info@icj.org

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No calls please.