Legal Advisor, Sri Lanka

KEY INFORMATION

Where? The position will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This position is full-time on a 12-month contract with the possibility of extension.

Salary: Competitive salary and rates apply.

 Role Overview and Responsibility: To work closely with the Programme Manager in supporting the delivery of the project in the country. The Legal Advisor will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below.

Technical

• Co-ordinate LAW Sri Lanka’s Gender Justice Legal Network (GJLN) including:
• Liaising with lawyers in the network in relation to case referrals;
• Monitor and follow up on case progress;
• Co-ordinate the mentoring and capacity building of GJLN lawyers;
• Oversee implementation of LAW’s training schedule for GJLN lawyers;
• Devise strategies for GJLN expansion outside Colombo; Facilitate and deliver technical assistance to government departments;
• Provide technical expertise and supervision to partners and other stakeholders;
• Conduct legal research;
• Manage relationships with partner organizations and coordinate implementation of activities by partners;
• Coordinate and conduct trainings for government stakeholders and justice actors;
• Provide capacity building to Sri Lankan lawyers and law undergraduates;
• Contribute to fundraising;
• Any other programmatic duties as specified by the LAW Sri Lanka Programme Manager or Senior Management of the organization;

 Reporting

• Contributing to donor reports and maintaining records to enable accurate and timely reporting;
• Attending meetings with donors and providing briefings on legal issues arising from the programme;

 Stakeholder Engagement

• Representing LAW in Sri Lanka at events and conferences as needed, to raise the profile of the organisation;
• Liaise with LAW’s partners and local civil society organisations and members of the Sri Lankan legal profession;

 Administration

• Assisting with the overall operation of LAW in Sri Lanka including carrying out general administrative tasks;

Any other duties as specified by management

• Sri Lankan national;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Law and/or human rights;
• Sri Lankan qualified lawyer with minimum of three to five years of practice experience in domestic criminal law, human rights or public law;
• Experience working with cases of sexual and gender-based violence;
• Masters’ qualification in criminal law, human rights or public international law preferred;
• Excellent written and oral English research and drafting skills;
• Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil is also required;
• Experience working with government or judicial institutions preferred;
• Knowledge and experience in implementing legal aid services, working with vulnerable communities and gender programming preferred;
• Strong written and spoken communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and take initiative;
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;

LAW will uphold the highest consideration for the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults. Policies are in place whereby all applicants will be required to undergo relevant vetting processes (which may include police criminal background checks, subject to local jurisdiction). When starting employment with LAW, staff members must sign a declaration stating there are no reasons or events that would render them unsuitable for the post and declaring any criminal conviction or ongoing criminal prosecutions against them.

LAW reserves the right to follow up on references with any previous employer to seek their considered views and opinion on the candidate’s suitability to be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. The successful applicant will only be offered a position subject to: (a) satisfactory and suitable references; (b) proof of qualifications; (c) relevant vetting/clearance procedures; and (d) proof of identification.

All staff joining LAW agree to familiarise themselves with the safeguarding policies and comply fully with its standards and the code of conduct. Staff are required to be vigilant and aware of potential risks to children and/or vulnerable adults. Staff are also responsible to report any suspected or known concerns and to participate fully in any safeguarding investigation if requested. Furthermore, staff are required to participate in annual trainings on safeguarding/child protection.