Legal Officer-Human Rights Education Above All (EAA) Qatar

Legal Officer-Human Rights

Introduction to EAA and its Legal Program

Education Above All (EAA) is an independent non-governmental organization established by Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser of Qatar, UNESCO Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education. A policy, research, and advocacy organization, EAA is concerned with the protection of education during insecurity and armed conflict.

Through the strategic use of international and regional law, EAA’s Legal Program contributes to EAA’s strategic objectives of prevention of, strengthened accountability for, and targeted response to education-related violations of international law in areas affected by insecurity and conflict. To meet this aim, the four core objectives of the Legal Program are:

1. To contribute to increased adherence to education-related international and regional law by States and Non-State Armed Groups in areas affected by insecurity and conflict.

2. To contribute to increased protection by States and Non-State Armed Groups against education-related violations of international and regional law in areas affected by insecurity and conflict.

3. To contribute to reduced impunity for past, current and future education-related violations of international and regional law in areas affected by insecurity and conflict.

4. To facilitate orders and/or recommendations for appropriate and focused reparations in judicial, quasi-judicial, and international and regional human rights mechanisms for education-related violations of international and regional law perpetrated in areas affected by insecurity and conflict.

THE ROLE

The Legal Officer-Human Rights will report to the Legal Program Manager. In coordination with the Legal Program Manager, the Legal Officer-Human Rights will:

1. Develop and implement international and regional human rights legal advocacy strategies around the right to and protection of education in areas of insecurity and conflict to support EAA’s Legal Program objectives.

2. Ensure cooperation and appropriate communication between and among partners on legal and policy advice and the sharing of best practices.

3. Review, monitor and evaluate activities relating to the implementation of international human rights instruments relevant to the right to education and related rights, and the protection of students, teachers, personnel, and educational institutions and facilities in areas affected by insecurity and conflict, including recommendations of treaty bodies and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council.

4. Establish and maintain partnerships with civil society, UN actors and bodies, and other relevant partners, to undertake advocacy around the right to education and related rights, and the protection of students, teachers, personnel, and educational institutions and facilities in areas affected by insecurity and conflict.

5. In consultation with EAA staff, conceptualize and oversee project activities related to the implementation of international human rights instruments relevant to the right to education and related rights, and the protection of students, teachers, personnel, and educational institutions and facilities in areas affected by insecurity and conflict, drawing on the views of experts in the field and working with partners.

6. Coordinate with and assist partner organizations and/or experts who are working with EAA to develop resource materials, including editing draft reports, proposals and other documents.

7. Prepare and develop materials for the website, board meetings and Legal Advisory Group meetings.

8. Collaborate with EAA staff on press releases, publications and articles written or relating to project and/or program work.

9. Plan and organize workshops, conferences and other events, often in cooperation with partner organizations.

10. Other relevant duties at the request of the Program Manager / Director.

THE PERSON

The Legal Officer—Human Rights will have an advanced degree in law, either a Juris Doctor or Master’s level or above, with specialization in international human rights law. The successful candidate will have substantial experience working in, with or through UN and/or regional human rights mechanisms. Ideally, the successful candidate will have knowledge and experience relating to the right to and protection of education in areas affected by insecurity and conflict. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and able to take initiative. Discretion, personal integrity, excellent research, analysis, and writing skills, and teamwork are essential, as is a strong interest in the legal protection of education during insecurity and conflict.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

· An advanced university degree (J.D. or Masters or above in law) with specialization in international human rights law (recognition for entry / registered or licensed to practice law in a national / state bar association) (Essential)

· In-depth knowledge of and expertise in economic, social, and cultural rights (Essential) and also civil and political rights (Desirable)

· Knowledge of and expertise in international humanitarian and criminal law (Desirable)

· A minimum of 5 years professional experience with human rights advocacy at international / regional or national level (Essential)

· Familiarity with U.N. treaty bodies and other international and regional human rights tribunals and jurisprudence (Essential)

· Practical and/or academic expertise and/or experience working with or through UN human rights mechanisms and processes (Essential)

· Demonstrated legal analytical skills (Essential)

· Demonstrated fluency in English with excellent writing, editorial, and presentation skills; (Essential) good written and spoken Arabic, French, Spanish, or other language (Desirable)

· Awareness of the discipline of education in emergencies and of the interactions between education and protection (Desirable)

· Demonstrated capacity to design and manage international human rights advocacy programs and partnerships (Desirable)

· Excellent inter-personal skills (Essential)

· Willingness to work within the ethos and values of EAA (Essential)

COMPENSATION

A competitive compensation package will be provided, including salary, housing allowance, transport allowance within Qatar, relocation allowance, yearly return trip to home country, health care and end-of-service benefits.

An initial one to three-year appointment is envisaged, with possibility of renewal.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be sent by email to John Gregg, Director of EAA, at jgregg@hho.gov.qa no later than 12 midday KSA on June 10, 2012.

Applications should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae, which should address the key selection criteria outlined above. Applications should also include the names and contact details of two professional referees.

The subject of the email should accord with the following format: Candidate’s Name – Position (Legal Officer-Human Rights or Legal Officer-Judicial) – Application.

Late applications will not be considered.