The Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (“ISLA”) is based on the belief that strategic litigation is an immensely strong tool for social change because it helps to reframe the understanding of entitlements before the law and it challenges the legal discourse on women’s rights and sexual rights. ISLA seeks to use the rule of law and African domestic and regional courts to advance women’s human rights and sexual rights. It is the first Africa-based strategic litigation initiative with a regional focus and expertise on women’s human rights and sexual rights. This is achieved by building networks across the continent that work in strategic litigation.
ISLA seeks to appoint a Locum Lawyer to be based in South Africa.
Employment Type:For a period of 4 months
Reports to: The Acting Litigation Director
Salary: This position offers a salary of $4,000.00 per month for a period of four (4) months.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Litigation:
Research substantive issues of comparative and international human rights law and practice
Legal representation on cases before domestic, regional and international human rights fora
Manage and lead all phases of the case development plan; from the investigation, pleadings, and discovery through the pre-trial, trial, settlement, and appeal processes.
Identification of issues that are amenable to strategic litigation and using the law to defend human rights cases
Contribute to the development of feminist jurisprudence
About the person: This position will be suited to an individual who meets the following criteria:
Education:
A legal degree and is admitted to legal practice in any African country
Have an advanced degree in human rights, gender or other relevant subjects
Experience:
Have supervisory or management experience;
Have experience in coordinating and managing projects and demonstrate evidence of being a self-driven, resourceful person who is able to manage and coordinate teamwork well;
Have experience in contributing to the overall strategic planning of an organisation; and
Exhibit the highest standards of excellence and integrity, and display, at all times and to all persons, a courteous, professional and cooperative attitude.
An understanding of Women’s Socio-economic Rights
Skills:
An ability to make a strategic and dynamic approach to the use of law as a tool for the promotion of human rights and can demonstrate this;
A good command of the English language
Strong research capacity and exceptional writing skills;
A keen analytical ability;
Meticulous attention to detail;
Substantial experience using constitutional, regional and international human rights law, with preference to candidates who have had such experience in litigation;
An in-depth or sophisticated understanding of international and comparative human rights mechanisms, and institutions;
Knowledge and understanding of women’s human rights and feminist analysis;
Other Essentials Specific to the Job:
Commitment to the overall aims and values of ISLA, feminism and Pan Africanism
Expectation of occasional work outside regular weekday hours, as required to do the job.
Other information about the position:
To apply for the position, click the link here to complete the application form. The application form replaces the need to submit a CV as we prefer to have standardised information provided to us by all candidates. Please complete this form in as much details as is possible. Please complete the form before the closing date specified in the advertisement. Late applications will not be considered. Preference will be given to qualifying women applicants and the selected candidate will need to start immediately.
For more about the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa, refer to www.the-isla.org