Regional Project Consultant for the Middle East and North Africa, New York at PILnet

PILnet: the Global Network for Public Interest Law, formerly known as the Public Interest Law Institute (PILI), is an international NGO devoted to building a global network to activate, empower and connect those who use legal tools to work in the public interest (www.pilnet.org). In collaboration with local partners around the globe, PILnet inspires lawyers to serve the public interest, strengthens the ability of civil society to help shape law and policy, and makes formal systems of justice more accessible.

Poised to begin a new phase of global expansion, PILnet is seeking a consultant for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to support the implementation of an initial project on “Advancing Public Interest Advocacy in the Middle East and North Africa”. The project is for one year, but may be extended. An integral member of PILnet’s team, the full-time Project Consultant will be based in New York, and is responsible for executing the project, which will include a high level convening of NGOs and legal educators from five countries of the region, including primarily Egypt and Tunisia as well as Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. The convening is expected to lead to the development of new strategies that will be assisted by PILnet in the longer run. The consultant reports to PILnet’s Program Director and Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake primary responsibility for implementing all project activities;
• Undertake primary responsibility for setting up and preparing a Planning Committee meeting for the project in the region;
• Coordinate with and provide technical assistance to participating organizations in the region;
• Identify and coordinate with resource groups from outside the region;
• Draft reports on the proceedings of project meetings, including recommendations for follow-up activities;
• Generate and resource new strategies to meet the needs identified in the course of planning and executing the activities;
• Provide technical assistance to participating organizations in the region; and
• Perform other tasks assigned by the Program Director or Executive Director that are consistent with this job description.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in law; graduate degree in law is desirable.
• Fluency in Arabic and English languages, both spoken and written.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the region as needed.
• Minimum of four years of project implementation and management experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of human rights and civil society development issues in MENA region.
• Experience developing solid working relationships with NGO partners in the region.
• Capacity to exercise sound judgment in managing relationships with partners and third parties.
• Ability to take initiative and to manage multiple tasks in a fast changing environment.
• Ability to excel while working both independently and within international teams functioning across PILnet’s offices.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.

Interested candidates should submit in English a CV and cover letter that specifically addresses the candidate's suitability to perform the job responsibilities detailed above to: project_consultant@pilnet.org.

Only those offered interviews will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

PILnet™ is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to apply. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.