Deputy Program Director at the International Legal Foundation

Overview: The ILF is an international NGO that assists post-conflict and transitional countries in establishing public defender systems that provide effective, quality criminal defense services for the poor. The ILF headquarters in New York (DUMBO) is looking for a lawyer with criminal law experience (preferably as a public defender) and a strong commitment to the mission and values of the ILF. The person in this newly established position will assist the current program director (who is also the executive director) run existing country programs in Nepal and the West Bank, as well as a new program being set up in Tunisia. The right person for this job will be a self-starter and a team player with strong legal skills, willing and able to travel to and spend several months on assignments in less than comfortable locations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategize with the ILF’s Executive Director (Program Director) and relevant country office staff to develop legal strategies and policies that will advance the rights of the criminally accused in that country.
• Draft and update the practice manual in each location to assist in the mentoring of the local staff, identifying key issues to be litigated to create a functioning justice system under the specific laws of the country.
• Work with the ILF’s Executive Director and relevant country staff to develop and regularly update the ILF’s practice manuals, or training guides for International Fellows (volunteers).
• Develop and oversee the ILF’s monitoring & evaluation systems, including the case management systems used by the ILF’s country programs, in an effort to ensure accountability and to track continuous improvement.
• Directly supervise, support and mentor the Country Director and Managing Attorney at ILF’s country offices, both individually and as a group and both on-site and long-distance.
• Guide growth, expansion, and development of each country office’s legal services.
• Work effectively with the ILF’s Advocacy Director and Managing Director as necessary and appropriate, in supporting country office staff.
• Assist with grant and report writing, as necessary.
• Represent the ILF internationally, as necessary and as requested by the Program Director/Executive Director.

Skills and Experience:

• Law degree and at least 4 years of practical experience in criminal law
• Candidates with a Federal Clerkship need only 1 additional year of experience
• Appellate experience required
• Preference will be given to candidates with public defender experience
• Familiarity with case management systems utilized by public defender offices preferred

• Strong and demonstrated commitment to the ILF’s mission and goals necessary

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams
• Ability to work within strict timelines and handle multiple tasks
• Experience working in an international setting preferred
• Ability and willingness to travel to post-conflict/transitional countries
• Knowledge of French, Arabic, Farsi or Hindi helpful 

Please submit your resume and a thoughtful cover letter to: HR Manager at jobs@theilf.org or 55 Washington Street, Suite 622, Brooklyn, NY 11201

No telephone inquiries please. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The International Legal Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices.