Deadline: 8 November 2020

Background

A human rights organisation is seeking the services of a highly motivated and self-driven Strategic Impact Litigation Specialist to join a small team of high impact researchers and lawyers for its Harare office. The ideal candidate for the position must be a lawyer who understands the Zimbabwean context and is eager to make an impact in human rights protection through litigation. The Strategic Impact Litigation Specialist must be someone who must excel at strategic litigation, legal research and with the ability to use litigation as a tool to advance strategic human rights goals of the organisation. S/he must believe in all human rights for all people, in justice and accountability for all, and must be willing to go an extra mile to ensure that the goals of the organisation are achieved.

Overall Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Senior Projects Lawyer, the Strategic Litigation Specialist will be responsible for identifying and execution of matters for litigation with the goal to transform domestic human rights jurisprudence and ultimately affect human rights policy and practice in Zimbabwe. This will also include international litigation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Strategic Impact Litigation Specialist will have the following key duties and responsibilities: Legal research and analysis with the aim of identifying cases for high impact strategic litigation and carrying out the litigation;

Recording and documenting the portfolio’s progress and impact;

Attending to the legal needs of the victims of organised violence and torture and offering assistance;

Developing and maintaining a proper manual and electronic filing of all litigation files;

Training of members and other stakeholders on human rights litigation;

Preparing periodic reports on litigation issues; Participating in training, facilitation and capacity building programmes related to strategic litigation and strategic advocacy issues;

Designing and executing related strategic litigation programmes for the organisation;

and Any other duties as may be allocated from time to time.

Qualifications, skill and experience

A Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized university;

Registration as a legal practitioner is a must;

At least three years’ experience in litigation;

A Master’s degree in Human Rights will be an added advantage.

Personal Competencies

Good knowledge of constitutional law and human rights;

Excellent researcher;

Excellent writing skills;

A team player who respects diversity, flexibility, adaptability and has strong communication skills.