Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Intern at the International Judicial Relations Office of the Federal Judicial Center


VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Intern
International Judicial Relations Office
Federal Judicial Center
Washington, D.C. 20002-8003

The Federal Judicial Center (FJC) is the federal courts’ agency for continuing education and research. Congress established the Center in 1967 as a separate organization within the federal judicial system at the request of the Judicial Conference of the United States. A nine-member board, chaired by the Chief Justice of the United States, determines its basic policies. The FJC develops educational resources for federal judges, provides training for court staff, and conducts empirical research in the field of judicial administration. The FJC is located in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building which is immediately adjacent to Union Station.

The Center’s International Judicial Relations Office (IJRO) coordinates in­formational briefings for visiting foreign delegations and provides materials about the U.S. judicial system and the work of the FJC. At the invitation of foreign judiciaries or development organi­zations, the IJRO develops seminars on such topics as judicial branch education, court administration, case management, alternative dispute resolution, and judicial ethics.

Duties and Responsibilities
The IJRO seeks an intern, current law student preferred, to work 16 hours per week at the FJC to provide support for the IJRO Director and staff. The intern will be responsible for providing administrative, logistics, and research support to the IJRO and to the Director of International Judicial Relations. Tasks and responsibilities will vary depending upon the IJRO’s workload, activities and events. Job responsibilities may include:
  • Maintaining databases and spreadsheets, including a database of foreign and international contacts and partners and a database of US, foreign and international materials on topics of interest to the FJC;
  • Assisting with foreign delegations, including but not limited to coordinating arrangements and logistics with organizations requesting briefings; editing briefing materials; copying/collating program materials; researching foreign law, procedure and judicial practice; greeting/escorting foreign delegations within the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building; assisting with set up of training/meeting facilities; preparing, editing, organizing and printing slides; staffing meetings to provide administrative/logistics support.
  • Cite checking and copy editing publications for the FJC’s International Litigation Monograph Series;
  • Drafting correspondence and compiling/preparing mailings in response to requests for information and/or FJC materials;
  • Assisting in preparation for foreign exchange programs whereby U.S. judges travel to foreign countries to offer assistance, including assistance in making travel arrangements; editing, copying and printing of materials for U.S. judges, research on foreign law, procedure and judicial practice, answering participants questions, drafting correspondence, preparing mailings, etc.
  • Attending briefings as necessary;
  • Assisting the IJRO Director with standard administrative tasks such as filing, copying, word processing, preparation of mailings, binding materials, preparing materials, etc.
  • Developing and editing text for website and other materials;
The intern may be invited to attend FJC events on a purely optional and volunteer basis to provide the intern with the opportunity to witness how judges and court staff are trained, to observe specialized training in law and procedure; and to interact with FJC staff.

Qualifications
Candidates should possess:
  • Excellent organizational and administrative skills
  • Superb oral and written communication skills
  • Sound research skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to work in a high-paced environment and to work independently
  • Willingness to carry out administrative work on a regular basis
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access; Adobe Acrobat; Lexis or Westlaw; Lotus Notes (preferred)
  • Proficiency in a foreign language (preferred)
Compensation
Compensation is dependent upon degree status:
  • Undergraduate Students (or a completed degree) $11.74 per hour
  • Law and Graduate Students (first and second year) $15.72 per hour
  • Law and Graduate Students (third year or a completed degree) $18.26 per hour

Application Procedure

Send a résumé with cover letter addressing qualifications to:
Ms. Elia Bendavid
Federal Judicial Center
Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building
One Columbus Circle, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-8003

ebendavid@fjc.gov

Email applications are strongly preferred. To receive full consideration, applications should be received by COB August 6, 2012. The position will remain open until filled.

THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Monday, July 23, 2012

PILPG/DLA Negotiating and Drafting Peace Agreements Training Series


The Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) and New Perimeter (DLA Piper’s global pro bonoinitiative) invite you to participate in a training session, free of charge, on negotiating and drafting a power sharing arrangement in a peace agreement.  This is the second session in a series of capacity building workshops designed to develop practical skills necessary for negotiating and drafting key substantive components of a peace agreement.  The training will take place on August 3, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at DLA’s offices in Washington, DC.

The session is designed to provide participants with the ability to recognize the complexities of power sharing, develop familiarity with the options available for horizontal and vertical power sharing arrangements as well as the related options for state structure, and hone drafting techniques applicable to ensuring a durable power sharing provision.  The training will be conducted around a negotiation simulation and a practical drafting exercise.  A certificate of completion will be issued upon conclusion of the session.

PILPG has over fifteen years experience providing pro bonolegal assistance to parties involved in peace negotiations, and often serves as technical legal experts on their negotiation delegations.  This Training Series is part of PILPG’s Knowledge Management Initiative, focused on sharing PILPG's field experience and subject matter expertise with the community of peace building practitioners.  The Training Series is undertaken in cooperation with New Perimeter.  New Perimeter provides pro bonoassistance to qualifying nonprofits, governments, and academic institutions in developing and post-conflict regions to support social and economic development, as well as transparent and sound legal institutions.

The Training Series is designed for practitioners with at least 2-3 years of field experience or legal drafting experience.  Forthcoming sessions in the Series will include topics such as Transitional Justice, Fiscal Devolution, Refugees and IDPs, and Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR).

The session is free of charge.  Space is extremely limited.  The session will take place at 500 Eighth Street, Washington, DC, 20004.  To request participation in the session, please respond via E-mail to Rebecca Higney at rhigney@pilpg.org no later than July 25 with your interest in the session, affiliation, and contact information.  This invitation is transferable; please feel free to circulate to your colleagues. 

International Criminal Law Publication Opportunity


Submissions Deadline for Eyes on the ICC is August 15th!

Eyes on the ICC is the first peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal dedicated exclusively to the work of the International Criminal Court and international criminal law.

The journal, published annually by the Council for American Students in International Negotiations, invites quality submissions for its eighth volume from practitioners, scholars, jurists, and professionals in fields related to international criminal law and policy. Occasionally, exceptional student work will be accepted. Manuscripts are accepted on a rolling basis until August 15, 2012.

Manuscripts must be computer-generated and submitted electronically via e-mail to icc@americanstudents.us, or via Berkeley Electronic Press’s ExpressO submission service, at http://law.bepress.com/expresso.

Each submission should contain an abstract, the author’s CV, appropriate contact information, and a cover letter. Articles and Notes may range in length from 25 to 80 pages, double-spaced. Book reviews range from 1,000 to 2,500 words. Submissions should adhere closely to the Chicago Manual of Style and cite sources in legal format according to the Harvard Blue Book.

Authors are encouraged to seek comments on their manuscripts from colleagues within their discipline. The journal invites commentary on the quality of its submissions, whether by private correspondence or published letter.


Correspondence not directly related to the submission process should be addressed to the Editor-in-Chief, Ms. Juliet Sorensen.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

ABA Rule of Law Program Manager, Asia Division

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for a diverse portfolio of rule of law grant-funded programs, supported primarily by the USG. The PM is responsible for program development, proposal writing and budgeting, work plan development, program reporting, monitoring and evaluation and facilitating smooth program operations. The PM directly supervises DC-based program staff and coordinates closely with field-based program directors and staff. This position will require overseas travel.

Education and Experience:
JD or Masters Degree in international relations or regional studies preferred. Project management and supervisor experience required, preferably in international development. Experience in theAsiaregion strongly preferred. Demonstrated proposal writing and fundraising experience required. Position also requires strong analytical, strategic thinking, oral and written communication and research skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. At least four years work experience in related field preferred.

To apply, please visit http://www.americanbar.org/utility/about_the_aba/human_resources/aba_job_search.html. Due to the high volume of applicants, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Legal Intern at the UN Caribbean Protection Unit


The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesWashingtonRegional Office for the UnitedStates ofAmericaand theCaribbeanseeks volunteer interns to assist staff of the Caribbean Protection Unit.
Caribbean Protection Unit based inWashington,DC
Legal Interns will assist with casework related to the assistance and protection of asylum-seekers and
refugees in theCaribbean region. This is an unpaid internship for law students (J.D. or LL.M).
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Draft Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and appeal decisions for asylum seekers in theCaribbean region interviewed under UNHCR Mandate which includes country of origin research and legal analysis.
  • Draft Advisory Opinions requested byCaribbeangovernments for pending asylum claims.
  • Conduct research on localCaribbeanimmigration laws and procedures, asylum procedures, analysis of constitutional changes, and best practices.
  • Monitor news for maritime incidents and migration flows in theCaribbean.
  • Undertake special projects & translate documents and correspondence, as needed.
Qualifications and Experience:
  • Excellent oral & written communication skills. Strong legal analysis skills.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize with minimal supervision. Attention to detail required.
  • A high level of computer proficiency. Familiarity with electronic databases preferred and strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel required.
  • Fluency in English required; fluency in French or Spanish highly preferred.
How to apply
Applications must be complete or they will not be considered. Please send resume, cover letter, a brief
writing sample (2-3 pages), and dates of availability to the Caribbean Unit Intern Coordinator, UNHCR,
1775 K Street, N.W., Suite 300,WashingtonDC20006, Fax: 202-296-5660,
Email: usawaint@unhcr.org and note on the subject line CARIBBEAN LEGAL INTERNSHIP and note which
semester (Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter).
Deadlines for submission of applications are:
Summer: March 15
Fall: July 30
Winter & Spring: October 15
Note that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Therefore, we may offer positions before
the submission deadline. As such, interested applicants are encouraged to apply well before the
deadline. Full-time applicants preferred.
  • Please also note that we are unable to provide scholarships, living or moving stipends.
For more information about our Regional Washington Office (ROW), please visit
www.unhcrwashington.org. To learn more about UNHCR’s work globally, visit www.unhcr.org

Legal Intern at the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants


The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants seeks a law student to serve as a Legal Intern with the Immigration Clinic in the Albany Field Office.
ABOUT USCRI
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants has been helping people flee war and persecution since 1911. USCRI addresses the needs and rights of persons in forced or voluntary migration worldwide by advancing fair and humane public policy, facilitating and providing direct professional services, and promoting the full participation of migrants in community life.
Through its network of resettlement field offices and partner organizations, USCRI provides refugees and immigrants across the United States with the support, services and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives and enrich their communities.
The USCRI field office in Albany opened in 2005 and now resettles hundreds of refugee families every year in the Capitol Region of New York State. The largest populations served by the Albany field office are Burmese, Iraqi, Afghan, Congolese, and Bhutanese refugees.
USCRI Albany is accredited by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals and also provides immigration-related legal services. Immigration Clinic is managed by a staff attorney who consults with refugees, asylees, and other low-income immigrants interested in filing family-based immigration applications, applications to adjust to permanent resident status, naturalization applications, and some humanitarian-based immigration benefits. These services are open to any eligible person in the community, whether or not they were resettled by USCRI. In most cases, USCRI charges only nominal fees for its services.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Immigration Clinic Legal Intern will be under the direct supervision of the Immigration Services Coordinator, a licensed attorney. This is an intensive internship designed to provide the Immigration Services Coordinator with skilled assistance on immigration cases and to prepare the intern for future employment in legal, immigration, human rights, or humanitarian fields. By the end of the internship, the intern will have gained valuable experience by working in the following capacities.
The Immigration Clinic Legal Intern will be expected to:
  • Perform client intake and initial assessment of client legal needs
  • Assist clients with filling out routine forms
  • Conduct legal research using various research vehicles, including legal databases, internet sources and interviews
  • Proofread and edit legal documents
  • Develop and maintain relationships with other area service providers
  • Translate and interpret (if needed and possible)
  • Answer telephones, take messages and route calls; open mail and draft correspondence; respond to written and verbal inquiries
  • Organize and maintain an electronic and paper filing system
  • Maintain a professional demeanor and abide by all confidentiality rules
BENEFITS AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO USCRI ALBANY INTERNS
All interns have access to a range of benefits during their time at USCRI Albany, including on-the-job learning opportunities and professional development resources. USCRI Albany interns can expect to do the following:
  • Develop a rich understanding of refugees and refugee resettlement.
  • Experience immersion in the daily operations in the field office of a multicultural nonprofit organization with a century of experience serving immigrants and refugees across the United States and internationally.
  • Participate in on-site and online trainings related to both the field of refugee resettlement and skills relevant to any nonprofit setting. Interns can join in weekly webinars offered through the national USCRI network and can access trainings provided by partner agencies.
  • USCRI staff are available to provide advice on job search in the refugee resettlement field, and will review and provide feedback on interns’ resumes and cover letters.
Many interns also:
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to network with refugee resettlement sites around the country and other social service agencies in the Albany area.
  • Gain leadership and/or project management experience through volunteer supervision and program development.
  • Assist with fundraising activities, including grant writing and special events.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The terms of the internship are the following:
• During the summer, this internship requires a commitment of 10-12 weeks, 15-30 hours per week. Preference is given to candidates who can work 40 hours for 4-6 months.
• During the academic year, this internship requires a commitment of 10-12 weeks, 8-20 hours per week. Preference is given to candidates who can work 10+ hours for 4-6 months.
• Interns are highly encouraged to seek alternate funding, as all USCRI Albany internships are unpaid. Interns are responsible for all living expenses during the internship period.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
  • Enrolled in an accredited law school. Preference will be given to individuals with immigration law experience or coursework.
  • Must speak, read, and write English fluently.
  • Must have excellent legal research and writing skills
  • Must have excellent organizational, time-management, interpersonal, administrative skills, and attention to detail.
  • Must be capable of working in a fast-paced, multicultural office environment; taking initiative; and able to handle multiple assignments at once while meeting deadlines.
  • Committed to the human rights and general welfare of refugees and immigrants.
DESIRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED
  • Candidates who are fluent in a second language in addition to English are highly desired. Preference will be given to speakers of: Arabic, Burmese, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Karen, Karenni, Nepali, French, and Russian.
  • Solid understanding of international relations, immigration law, refugee law, administrative law, human rights and public interest legal work.
  • Experience with victims of torture or torture-related issues.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Jen Barkan, Resource Manager, at info@uscri-albany.org.
Please indicate in your cover letter the time frame and number of hours per week you would be available for the internship.
If you are interested in being considered for more than one internship with USCRI Albany, please indicate this in your cover letter; there is no need to submit multiple applications.
The position will remain open until filled.

Legal Officer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia


Legal Officer - United Nations, Netherlands, Deadline: August-11-2012


Job Title:  Legal Officer, P3 
Department/ Office:  International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia 
Duty Station:  THE HAGUE 
Posting Period:  12 July 2012-11 August 2012 
Job Opening number:  12-LEG-ICTY-24534-R-THE HAGUE (R) 
This position is located in the Immediate Office of the Registrar, Registry. Under the supervision of the Chief of Office, the incumbent will assist the Registrar with his responsibility to apply international administrative, public and private law.

 

Responsibilities

 

• Analyses international statutes and laws, assesses their impact on the exercise of the Tribunal’s mandate and prepares draft proposals for their implementation.
• Undertakes review of legal documents, instruments or other material; identifies important issues, similarities and inconsistencies, etc.
• Conducts extensive legal research and prepares studies, comparative studies, briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Processes and communicates information with sections throughout the Tribunal, Host State authorities, UN member States as well as UN HQ and other UN bodies.
• Assists with diplomatic negotiations and the organization of diplomatic roundtables and events.
• Prepares or assists in the preparation and review of agreements and contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities, as well as in the negotiation and settlement of claims and disputes and in handling private international law and international trade law matters.
• Assists in representing the Organization before arbitral and other tribunals or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases.
• Provides legal advice on the terms and conditions of Judges of the Tribunal, on human resources and other administrative matters.
• Performs other related duties as required.

 

Competencies

 

• Professionalism – Experience with the UN, preferably an international court or tribunal desirable. Experience organising and conducting complex diplomatic negotiations at high levels on legal matters relevant to the United Nations desirable. Knowledge of various legal research sources, including electronic, and ability to conduct research and analyze information on a wide range of legal issues. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

• Communication – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Teamwork – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Planning and Organising – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Client Orientation – Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

 

Education

 

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience in international law may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

 

Work Experience

 

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research and writing.

 

Languages

 

English and French are the official languages of the Tribunal. For this post, fluency in English is required.  A working knowledge of French is desirable.

 

Assessment Method

 

There will be a technical test and competency-based interview.

 

Special Notice

 

The appointment is limited to ICTY.  Extension of the appointment is subject to the extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds. Extension of this position is subject to receipt of further funding.  As the international tribunals are not integrated in the Secretariat, UN Staff Members serve on assignment or secondment from their parent department/office if selected.

 

United Nations Considerations

 

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
See original posting at  Click here