Litigation Officer – ILGA-Europe

ILGA-Europe is currently looking for a Litigation Officer.

ILGA-Europe – the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association – is an international non-governmental umbrella organisation bringing together 408 organisations from 45 European countries. The two main pillars of ILGA-Europe’s work are: (1) advocacy for human rights and equality for LGBTI people with European organisations (European Union, Council of Europe and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and (2) strengthening the European LGBTI movement through its capacity-building programme. As a membership based organisation, ILGA-Europe is uniquely positioned to achieve social, political and legal changes for LGBTI people by combining its extensive movement-building work with effective advocacy work on the European level.

Background

Established in 1996, ILGA-Europe has grown from a volunteer-run organisation to a board-run NGO led by a professional staff team of 14 based in Brussels. ILGA-Europe has experienced an important period of growth and development over the past decade in terms of staff and budget. As a result, ILGA-Europe increasingly needs skilled and highly motivated people to join its dynamic and professional team and to respond to growing demands for expertise placed on ILGA-Europe.

The job

The post holder will be responsible for leading the organisation’s litigation activities. The post holder will monitor, analyse and document legal developments that may have a strategic impact on the advancement of European case law related to human rights of LGBTI people. The person will also engage with European courts and institutions through third-party interventions on strategic cases and implementation of judgements. In addition, the post holder will be responsible for developing strategies to ensure effective coordination among organisations engaged on litigation related to the human rights of LGBTI people at European level, to increase capacity of LGBTI groups to engage in strategic litigation in Europe, and to mobilise resources to support LGBTI litigation at national and European level. In conjunction with the Advocacy Director, the post holder will also advise on the development of an organisational litigation programme.

Candidates should be strongly committed to working for human rights and equality, and have competencies and demonstrated experience in:

• developing and implementing litigation strategies at national, regional and/or international levels (in particular with the involvement of NGOs)
• producing strategic analysis of opportunities for legal change
• building strategic partnerships to support litigation at national, regional and/or international levels

Qualifications, experience and other requirements are:

• An advanced degree in international human rights law and proven understanding of its application, in particular in relation to equality law and the human rights of LGBTI people in Europe
• Litigation experience using regional and international human rights instruments
• Understanding of the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice
• Excellent analytical skills and demonstrated ability to think strategically
• Proven high quality communication skills, both verbal and written, including a very high standard of written and spoken English. Capacity to explain complex issues simply and clearly in a concise, direct and understandable way for diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with particular reference to working with a wide audience
• Demonstrated capacity to adapt to rapidly changing environments
• Self-organisation skills, and ability to follow-up on time and to multitask
• Sensitivity to working in a multicultural and diverse environment and commitment to promoting respect for equality and diversity
• Ability to work well under pressure, maintaining both a highly organised level of accuracy and output; to plan work to ensure deadlines are met; and to deal with multiple, sometime conflicting, priorities
• Ability and willingness to travel as required

Desirable additional experience/knowledge includes:

• Experience of working in different legal systems
• A working knowledge of another major European language
• Experience of working in an NGO or knowledge of the NGO sector
• Experience in providing trainings and other capacity-building activities

Employment information

Open ended full-timeposition subject to continued funding for the post and successful completion of the 6 month probation period.

Salary scale: Euros 43,920 – 48,988 in four annual increments, starting at the beginning of the scale. The organisation has a generous remuneration package, including contributing to local transportation costs, luncheon vouchers, health insurance, a pensions scheme for employees and ‘family friendly’ policies. Relocation support from within Europe to Brussels will be given where appropriate.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 12 May 2015, 17.00 CET

Read more and apply here.