The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.
Investor and philanthropist George Soros established the Open Society Foundations, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. Our activities have grown to encompass the United States and more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Each Foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.
The Open Society Justice Initiative uses law to protect and empower people around the world. Through litigation, advocacy, research, and technical assistance, the Justice Initiative promotes human rights and builds legal capacity for open societies. We foster accountability for international crimes, combat racial discrimination and statelessness, support criminal justice reform, address abuses related to national security and counterterrorism, expand freedom of information and expression, and stem corruption linked to the exploitation of natural resources. Our staff are based in Abuja, Amsterdam, Bishkek, Brussels, Budapest, Freetown, The Hague, London, Mexico City, New York, Paris, Phnom Penh, Santo Domingo and Washington, D.C.
In the area of National Security and Counterterrorism, the Open Society Justice Initiative is using strategic litigation and advocacy across the globe to secure justice for victims of human rights violations and ensure that decision-makers responsible for abuses be held to account. Recent work in this field has been directed at challenging European government complicity with the CIA-driven extraordinary rendition program before the European Court of Human Rights; using freedom of information laws to challenge the withholding of information relating to such complicity; challenging enforced disappearances, torture and prolonged detention without charge or trial (including a challenge before the African Commission to prolonged administrative detention under Egypt’s emergency laws); and addressing counterterrorism-related human rights abuses in East Africa, as well as other due process violations associated with the application of counterterrorism laws worldwide.
Purpose of Position: Conduct litigation, documentation and advocacy on human rights abuses associated with counterterrorism and national security policies and practices worldwide and assist in program management, development and implementation relating to these issues. Work is performed independently/under general supervision. This position will be based in our New York Office.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. OSI may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.
1. Litigation, documentation and advocacy:
- Undertake legal and factual research for potential and ongoing litigation; interview and liase with clients; draft legal applications, briefs, pleadings and other documents for submission to domestic and regional courts and human rights bodies;
- Write reports documenting national security/counterterrorism related human rights abuses;
- Monitor national security/counterterrorism related human rights abuses worldwide; advocate before national and/or inter-governmental bodies/tribunals and/or the media; contact foreign, national and local experts; train partners/outside participants; and provide technical assistance;
2. Program Management:
- Manage projects as assigned by the Senior Legal Officer;
- Develop program-related documents;
3. Project development:
- Assist with the conceptualization, design, management, evaluation and implementation of projects;
4. Project implementation
- NSC Project Responsibility: Oversee running of projects with partner organizations, including maintaining regular communication with partners and National Foundation staff, participating in project events (including but not limited to project meetings, media events, networking meetings, trainings or workshops with international and regional human rights organizations), organizing and carrying out in-country visits to work on the projects and evaluate the work of partner organizations, drafting trip and project reports;
- Review project reports, prepare terms of reference and review outside evaluations, draft press releases, prepare project descriptions, arrange and/or recommend evaluations as required;
- Maintain contact with consultants, liaising with them on substantive, administrative and financial matters, and, in coordination with the Senior Legal Officer, NSC, supervise the delivery of financial and narrative reports;
5. Administrative and Financial:
- Oversees the integral operation of the administrative and financial aspects for NSC work. This responsibility includes drafting budgets; processing grants, contracts, payments; organizing events and meetings; making travel arrangements; maintaining a program calendar; maintaining a database of project contacts;
6. Other:
- Travel as approved by the Senior Legal Officer; and
- Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Senior Legal Officer.
Education/Experience: Law Degree and three to five years legal experience preferably in the field of human rights.
Skills Required:
- Excellent legal research and writing skills and close attention to detail.
- Familiarity with researching international and comparative law, preferably including familiarity with researching European Court of Human Rights and African Commission case law.
- Familiarity with human rights litigation at national or regional levels.
- Familiarity with documenting and writing reports on human rights abuses.
- Sensitivity and maturity in interacting with potential clients, co-counsel, advocates and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent oral and written communication and analytic skills.
- Complete fluency in English.
- Fluency in another widely used foreign language preferred.
- Willingness to regularly travel overseas.
- Ability to manage several projects in a fast-paced environment effectively.
- High level of self-motivation and ability to work both independently and with others.
- Integrity, professional discretion and ability to handle confidential matters.
Work Environment and Physical Demands: Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Start Date: Immediate – Position open until filled
Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.
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