Legal Officer, Litigation Open Society Institute–New York

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people.

We seek to strengthen the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and a diversity of opinions; democratically elected governments; and a civil society that helps keep government power in check.

We help to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights.

We implement initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media.

We build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information.

Working in every part of the world, the Open Society Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

The Open Society Justice Initiative uses law to protect and empower people around the world. Through litigation, advocacy, research, and technical assistance, the Justice Initiative promotes human rights and builds legal capacity for open societies. We foster accountability for international crimes, combat racial discrimination and statelessness, support criminal justice reform, address abuses related to national security and counterterrorism, expand freedom of information and expression, and stem corruption linked to the exploitation of natural resources. Our staff are based in Abuja, Amsterdam, Bishkek, Brussels, Budapest, Freetown, The Hague, London, Mexico City, New York, Paris, Phnom Penh, Santo Domingo and Washington, D.C.

Purpose of Position

Based in New York, under the supervision of the Litigation Director, the Legal Officer for Litigation will be assigned to specific cases with the responsibility to litigate them through the exhaustion of domestic remedies to the relevant international tribunal.  Work is carried out independently.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. OSF may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

Litigation

• Litigate specific cases as assigned;
• Conduct legal and factual research into complex issues of human rights law and procedures;
• Draft legal applications and other required legal documents;
• Liaise with external counsel, law clinics, pro bono lawyers and other partners in the litigation;
• Design and implement advocacy plans to support the cases;
• Support representation of individual or NGO complainants in regional or international courts;
• Identify suitable cases for strategic litigation;

Program Management

• Design, manage, evaluate and oversee implementation of projects in cooperation with OSF’s National Foundations, partner NGO’s, local governmental partners and/or inter-governmental partners;
• Contribute in the planning of strategic goals;
• Manage consultants, grantees, pro bono counsel, partners and external legal officers to ensure that their efforts follow OSF’s guidelines;

Project Design and Implementation

• Identify programmatic opportunities and assess needs by researching human rights, civil society and/or political context in current projects;
• Oversee project implementation to ensure advocacy and litigation are in accordance with OSF’s policies and goals;

Administrative

• Prepare and monitor budgets and expenditures on projects and report to management on progress and variances;
• Provide monthly and ad hoc reports on activities;
• Attend program meetings;
• Travel is required;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience

Law degree and five to eight years of relevant experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Extensive professional experience in the field of human rights, preferably in one or more fields of the Open Society Justice Initiative’s engagement;
• Familiarity with international and regional human rights tribunals and jurisprudence.

Skills Required

• Flexibility and willingness to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects;
• Experience in managing multiple priorities under pressure and accomplish short- and long- term deadlines with a heavy workload;
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills;
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people with diverse backgrounds and with staff on all levels throughout a complex organization;
• Demonstrated management skills in not-for-profit organizations, foundations and/or government agencies, particularly in complex organizations;
• Professionally competent to make administrative, procedural decisions and judgments on sensitive and confidential issues;
• Identify and resolve sensitive matters and situations;
• Professional, diplomatic demeanor with the ability to represent a global organization and interact with colleagues from diverse backgrounds;
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated expertise in handling all personnel related issues and information in a confidential manner.
• Excellent computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office.

Program Specific Requirements

• Experience litigating human rights cases in domestic and/or international fora; experience practicing within a civil law jurisdiction a distinct advantage;
• Familiarity with international and regional human rights tribunals and jurisprudence, particularly the Inter-American system or the African regional and sub-regional systems;
• Demonstrated excellence in legal drafting;
• Fluency in English, together with a working ability in French and/or Spanish;
• Extraordinary initiative and creativity;
• Extensive skills and high comfort level with computer research, database management and word processing, including internet and Lexis/Nexis;
• Familiarity with, and experience working in, any of the geographic regions of Justice Initiative engagement is a plus.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

Application Instructions

Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements to:humanresources@opensocietyfoundations.org. Include job code in subject line: LO-OSJI.