CLOSED – Attorney
Education: Law Degree, Masters desirable.
Application deadline: 21 August 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Organization focus: International Human Rights Law in Latin America
Salary: Commensurate with experience and location
Starting date: Immediately
Location: Washington, D.C. (preferred) or remote in Latin America
The Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) seeks an experienced and mission-driven attorney with advanced fluency in Spanish and English to litigate cases before the Inter-American System for the Protection of Human Rights, advocate before national and international actors, and train a diverse group of communities on international human rights law issues. This is a full-time position that would preferably be based in Washington, D.C., but could also be located in another Latin American country.
Founded in 1991, the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) is an organization dedicated to promoting human rights in the Americas. CEJIL seeks to address human rights violations in the region and bring about positive social change through strategic litigation before the Inter-American Human Rights System (IAHRS); and through advocacy, capacity building and media work, both internationally and domestically. CEJIL fights for the rights of more than 20,000 victims of human rights violations and beneficiaries of protection measures in more than 200 cases related to human rights violations in Latin American countries and the U.S. These cases address a variety of issues, including gender-based violence, migrants’ rights, massacres and modern slavery, among many others. For more information about the organization, visit their website: https://cejil.org
The attorney will work under the supervision of the Program Director for the Andean, North America and the Caribbean region, and the Legal Director of CEJIL. He/she will have the opportunity to make up part of a dynamic, multi-cultural team of dedicated human rights defenders working primarily in Latin America.
Responsibilities
Request and process cases and precautionary measures before the IAHRS in close coordination with allied organizations.
Follow up on cases in litigation filed by CEJIL in close coordination with allied organizations and/or counterparts.
Maintain relations with local NGOs, government representatives, and international organizations in Latin America.
Design and support training sessions, workshops and other educational materials about the IAHRS or international human rights law.
Participate in other advocacy initiatives and projects.
Provide supervision and guidance to team members and interns on work products, as assigned.
Collaborate with colleagues in other program areas, including the communications and fundraising teams, to develop strategies to advance the advocacy, litigation and development objectives of the organization.
Assist with general administrative tasks.
Qualifications
Commitment to CEJIL’s mission, purpose and values.
Law Degree from an accredited law school (Master’s degree will be considered a plus, but is not required).
Eight years of work experience, preferably in the use of international human rights law, in the Inter-American System or before the United Nations System;
Strong analytical skills and the ability to develop convincing legal arguments;
Ability to write, edit, and communicate fluently in Spanish and English;
Ability to work on own initiative and in a team;
Ability to carry out advocacy activities independently with state agents, members of international organizations and other relevant actors.
Ability to prioritize, manage time appropriately, work under pressure and on several projects at once.
Ability to work as part of a team, providing supervision, coordination and support to an interdisciplinary CEJIL group of interns, staff and consultants; and
Willingness to travel and work in a multicultural environment.
Salary: commensurate with experience and country of residence.
CEJIL provides paid holidays and other benefits which may vary according to location and national legislation of the country concerned.
For candidates residing in the U.S., authorization to work in the U.S. is required without any restrictions.
Applications
Interested candidates should send by e-mail:
(a) Cover letter in English;
(b) Curriculum vitae;
(c) Two (2) writing samples (one in English and one in Spanish) no later than 21 August 2024 to: jobs@cejil.org
SUBJECT: Vacancy -2024- DC Attorney
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline.
CEJIL ensures equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, without discrimination on any grounds.