Legal Officer for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Legal Officer for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

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 recently established work on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The ICJ works to increase the protection provided by the law for victims of human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The ICJ works with and helps to strengthen the global network of grass roots, local and international Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organizations, by providing its expertise in international human rights law and the international human rights system as an advocacy tool and source of remedies for victims. The ICJ works to clarify the existing international legal framework to address abuses on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity and to build increasing recognition by governments that such abuses are violations of human 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 sexual orientation and gender identity. Specifically, the Legal Officer will:

Develop and implement innovative ICJ advocacy strategies on human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, including strengthening the use of international law and obtaining recognition by UN political bodies that such abuses are violations of human rights and seeking action by these bodies. Lead ICJ’s advocacy for human rights law and machinery to provide both the conceptual and practical framework to address discrimination and other human rights violations that take place on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. This includes developing the legal and political strategies to step up advocacy in 2006-2007 aimed at obtaining recognition by UN political bodies (especially the UN Commission on Human Rights) of such violations.

Support the global network of organizations working on sexual orientation and gender identity issues in framing their claims in human rights terms and advancing issues through the use of international law.

Inform and mobilise the ICJ network in support of the organization’s advocacy strategies on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Through the preparation of amicus curiae briefs and other legal interventions, support selected strategic litigation at the international, regional and national levels as well as advocacy aimed at necessary reform of legislation.

Advise and assist in building the capacity of the ICJ to integrate addressing all forms of human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity 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 human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful applicant will have:

At least six years experience as a human rights lawyer including at least three years on equality and non-discrimination issues. A degree in law. Further academic studies in international and human rights law highly desirable.

Excellent knowledge of international human rights law and of relevant international, regional and national jurisprudence concerning sexual orientation and gender identity. 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.

Excellent written and spoken English or French, with at least working knowledge of the other. Working knowledge of Arabic, and/or Spanish 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 3 October 2005 and should be addressed with your resume and the names and contact details of at least two referees to:

Ref: Legal Officer for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
International Commission of Jurists
P.O. Box 216
1219 Châtelaine – Geneva
Switzerland
E-mail address: [email protected]

This recruitment is subject to funding.

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