VACANCY: LEGAL AND ADVOCACY DIRECTOR

Application Deadline: 1 April 2021
Salary: £45,000 p.a.
Location: Remote until office re-opens. Candidates must have a right to work in the UK.
Start date: 1 June 2021 or as soon as possible after this date

Responsibilities:

• Work with the Executive Director to create and implement strategic plans for specific projects as well as the organisation as a whole.
• Research, draft and review materials on matters of international law such as international and regional human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law.
• Research, draft and review legal and advocacy materials on matters of UK and foreign law.
• Develop and implement law reform and litigation strategies.
• Supervise the legal and advocacy work of more junior team members, potentially as a line manager.
• Lead efforts to inform and shape public opinion both in the UK and globally, such as by drafting opinion pieces and calls to action.
• Help build and strengthen an international coalition of civil society organizations that address human rights issues arising from States’ security laws and programmes.
• Build effective and lasting relationships with other key stakeholders.
• Be a strategic leader and thinker in the field of national security and human rights.

Person Specification:

RSI is looking for a passionate and experienced human rights professional who has:

• A post-graduate qualification in law.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in international human rights law and human rights advocacy, preferably including at least some experience with rights abuses arising from national security measures.
• Experience developing strategic or project plans, including for international or regional advocacy.
• A record of researching and publishing human rights reports or similar materials.
• Experience managing individuals or small teams.
• A history of creative, strategic and timely approaches to human rights work.
• An ability to convey complex legal concepts to the public or other advocacy targets in simple and approachable terms.
• A strong commitment diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
• A strong commitment to working respectfully and sensitively with colleagues as well as a broader range of partners and stakeholders.

Other desirable but optional qualifications include:

• A qualification to practise law in the UK or another common-law jurisdiction.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: racial justice, gender rights or other aspects of equality; migrants’ rights; technology and privacy; or the freedoms of expression and association.
• Experience building coalitions.

You must speak and write English fluently, and fluency in other languages is a plus.

Application details: If you are interested in this position, please send the following materials to info@rightsandsecurity.org:

(1) Your CV
(2) A cover letter explaining your interest in RSI and how you fulfil the person specification – maximum 2 pages

By submitting your application, you consent to our processing and retention of your personal data to the extent, and for the time period, necessary to consider the application. We will keep your application on file for no more than six months.

For further information, please see the below document.