Chief of Party Position, Public International Law & Policy Group, Kosovo

Public International Law & Policy Group
Position: Chief of Party, Kosovo

The Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) is seeking a Chief of Party for its new Kosovo office.  Below please find information on PILPG and its Kosovo project, as well as the role of the Chief of Party and the required qualifications for the position.  

Overview
PILPG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as a global pro bono law firm providing free assistance to developing states and governments.  PILPG also provides policy formulation advice and training on matters related to conflict resolution.  To date, PILPG has advised over twenty states and governments on the legal aspects of peace negotiations and post-conflict constitution drafting, and over two dozen states and War Crimes Tribunals in Europe, Asia and Africa concerning the protection of human rights, self-determination, and transitional justice.  PILPG has over fifteen years of experience working in the Balkans.  PILPG first provided legal assistance in 1995 during the Dayton peace negotiations.  Since then, PILPG has also worked in Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro and maintained representation in the region.

PILPG’s Kosovo project is designed to increase the Kosovar citizen’s access to and respect for justice - with an emphasis on issues related to criminal procedure and grievance processes and oversight mechanisms for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement.  The objectives are to (1) facilitate national public policy education and advocacy campaigns around justice sector reform and access to justice and (2) enable citizens to understand and use justice mechanisms and processes.

PILPG will work closely with several local partners to implement its program.  PILPG’s project is designed to build local capacity in civil society and with grassroots leaders so that they may engage in a national advocacy campaign, based on comprehensive public policy frameworks, led by a local Kosovo policy research center and leveraged through social media to inform and mobilize the public.  

Role of the Chief of Party
PILPG is seeking a professional with at least seven years experience in the field of international law, with particular expertise in criminal procedure law, grievance processes, and oversight mechanisms to serve as the Chief of Party for its Kosovo Project.  The Chief of Party will be based in Prishtina and will work under the supervision of the Project Director of the Kosovo project.

Program Responsibilities 
•    Build and maintain relationships with local partners, including Kosovar Government officials and members of civil society
•    Conduct ongoing consultations to assess the needs of local partners, advocates, and grassroots leaders
•    Facilitate roundtables and workshops
•    Coordinate with the Project Director on the preparation of legal memoranda and other documents required to implement activities including Lessons Learned Reports
•    Strategize with other NGOs, international organizations, and U.S. government offices to ensure complementarity of programming
•    Manage and coordinate the execution of local organization led initiatives
•    Provide substantive direction to PILPG research and legal teams on the drafting of the assessment report, workshop materials, and lessons learned reports
•    Analyze local political conditions and the effectiveness of the project in meeting the stated goals and objectives
•    Communicate and coordinate with consultants on the design and substance of workshops
•    Conduct follow-up meetings with civil society leaders requesting additional information
•    Ensure adherence to requisite U.S. government policies and procedures
•    Oversee the development, review, and timely submission of project-related materials, including regular reports that measure and evaluate project results
•    Supervise the work of pro bono law firms and research associates providing legal assistance on the Kosovo project
•    Coordinate closely with PILPG’s Washington, DC office on the overall strategy and development of the project
•    Provide regular briefings to PILPG’s Washington, DC office on political developments and implementation of the program
•    Coordinate and work with other PILPG staff on PILPG initiatives with law firm partners
•    Maintain regular communication with the Project Director, as well as the research team, including conducting weekly Skype calls and drafting monthly updates on project activities

Administration
•    Draft materials on the Kosovo project for PILPG’s website and annual reports at the request of senior staff
•    Maintain PILPG’s in-country financial books related to the Kosovo project in accordance with PILPG’s financial policies and procedures manual
•    Develop quarterly project reports that detail project activities and measure and evaluate project results
•    Draft a final project report 
•    Facilitate the visit of an external evaluator for a mid-project and final evaluation

Educational and Professional Qualifications
•    A law degree or other advanced professional degree
•    Demonstrated knowledge of public international law, criminal procedure law, grievance processes, and oversight mechanisms
•    Demonstrated experience working with and developing relationships with civil society leaders
•    A minimum of seven years work experience in international law, including experience with criminal procedure law, grievance processes, and oversight mechanisms Knowledge of and previous experience in Kosovo is highly desirable
•    Prior overseas field work is preferable

Communication and Organizational Skills 
•    Excellent political judgment and the proven ability to develop and carry out program strategy 
•    Strong analytic and organizational skills
•    Ability to manage and provide substantive guidance on work product to a team of research associates and law firm pro bono partners
•    Fluent in English with proven legal writing and editing skills
•    Basic knowledge of Albanian is preferable
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and able to work closely with multiple team members located across the globe
•    Ability to manage effectively multiple activities in a fast-paced environment
•    Responsive, a self-starter, and able to solve problems independently
 
How to Apply: 
Send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to recruitment@pilpg.org by December 19, 2010.
Include in the subject line: Application: Kosovo Chief of Party