Legal Advisor

Diakonia is a Swedish civil society organisation working with a long-term and rights-based perspective to advance democracy and human rights, social and economic justice, gender equality, and peace and justice in developing countries. Our mission is to change unfair political, economic and social structures which generate poverty, oppression and violence.

Since 2004 Diakonia is running an International Humanitarian Law programme with the aim of increasing respect for and further implementation of international law, specifically IHL and IHRL, in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The IHL programme is functioning as a resource centre addressing third state responsibility and accountability among humanitarian community.

Respect for the International Humanitarian Law and protection of civilians is fundamental in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, recognising occupation and thereby the applicability of IHL, as well as for the importance of state building. As synergies increasingly are sought between the state building agenda and humanitarian interventions, IHL is an increasingly important tool for developing policy options on how to address the conflict. Diakonia is supporting the humanitarian and international community to mainstream IHL into policies, programmes and discourse in the oPt. Together with the diplomatic missions we strive for collective advancement regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation.

We are now seeking a legal advisor to be part of our IHL team in Jerusalem. Palestinian applicants are encouraged.

Position:Legal Advisor, local position
Placement:Jerusalem
Period:Project employment with immediate start 
Deadline for applications:22 April 2012
Responsible to:Programme Director, International Humanitarian Law  Programme

Responsibilities:

Main Responsibilities:
The Legal Advisor will work within a team of advisors at Diakonia IHL Resource Centre on legal briefs related to the development in the conflict with focus on protection of the civilian population. He/she will obtain updated information on international, Israeli and Palestinian law relevant to the oPt and contribute to the development of the program. The Legal Advisor will give advice, make IHL briefings and develop and conduct IHL trainings for the international community and various groups of stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities:
In specific, the Legal Advisor will be responsible for the following tasks:

1-Legal advice, writings, presentations/briefings to Program’s target groups:
1.1-Provide advice on IHL/IHRL and other relevant international laws
1.2-Prepare and present legal briefings/sessions/ presentations
1.3-Develop and conduct trainings, particularly related to mainstreaming IHL into programming for humanitarian actors and donors
1.4-Conduct research and write longer reports/reviews
1.5-Be part of the internal peer review of legal writings
1.6-Work together with the Programme Director to conduct joint work with our partner organisations as well as provide advice, development and capacity building of partners.
2-Participate and represent the IHL resource centre in various relevant forums and meet with partners and stakeholders for consultation.
3-Development of the IHL Programme:
3.1-Participate in the programme development by identifying thematic priorities for the IHL team

Qualifications:
1-Advanced degree in international law, preferably international humanitarian law or equivalent.
2-At least five years working experience with international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including research.
3-Experience from Corporate Social Responsibility and international law is an asset
4-Excellent knowledge about the present context in oPt and Israel
5-Good familiarity with the Palestinian and Israeli civil societies and commitment to work closely with Palestinian and Israeli civil society organisations.
6-Commitment to human rights.
7-Strong training, networking  and presentation skills
8-Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
9-Good research skills.
10-Willingness and ability to work in a team.
11-Computer skills
12-Knowledge in Hebrew is an asset

Cover letter and curriculum vitae, including references should be submitted by email to Diakonia by 22 April 2012 at [email protected]

If you need any further clarifications please contact Ms. Malin Greenhill on
+ 972 (0)2 5322972 Ext. 103.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Diakonia is an equal employment opportunity organization.
The position, beyond 2012, is pending future funding