ABOUT US
Established in 1987, ARTICLE 19 works for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination. Our mission is to promote and defend the universal human rights of freedom of expression and information around the world, through international advocacy, legal analysis, and regional and national projects.
The protection of these rights requires a holistic approach encompassing physical, digital, psychosocial and legal security. ARTICLE 19 works to improve the security conditions and protection tools and mechanisms for journalists, media workers, human rights defenders (HRDs), bloggers and others engaged in defending human rights, particularly freedom of expression and information, and exposing corruption. We work to systematize our global monitoring and reporting methodologies, linking them to international and regional mechanisms, as well as specific governments, to raise cases of violations.
ROLE SUMMARY
ARTICLE 19 is recruiting for a Russian speaking Legal Officer, on a fixed-term contract for the project running till November 2021. Under the supervision of the Senior Director for Law and Policy and working closely with ARTICLE 19’s Europe and Central Asia Team, the post holder will play a crucial role in implementing ARTICLE 19’s freedom of expression projects in Europe (former Soviet countries) and Central Asia region.
S/he will provide legal and policy expertise, including through analysing laws and policies on freedom of expression and through researching and monitoring relevant developments and trends in the region. S/he will be also developing ARTICLE 19 responses to key concerns and opportunities on freedom of expression, advocating for progressive legal reforms, developing resource materials and delivering trainings for ARTICLE 19 stakeholders in the region.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide legal and policy advice:
- Contribute to the Central Asia project implementation on freedom of expression through legal research, producing statements, press releases and resource materials, and promoting existing ARTICLE 19 policies in the region;
- Analyse and critique laws and legislative proposals from the perspective of international and regional legal standards on freedom of expression;
- Monitor legal and policy trends with regard to freedom of expression in Central Asia and identify key areas of concerns and involvement for ARTICLE 19;
- Draft legal submissions and legal briefs and assist lawyers in litigation of freedom of expression and freedom of information cases;
- Provide sound, timely high quality legal and policy advice to ARTICLE 19’s Europe and Central Asia team and stakeholders to address emerging challenges to freedom of expression and identify opportunities for ARTICLE 19 engagement and advocacy on them;
- Develop and deliver trainings to lawyers, media workers, civil society activists, human rights defenders, state actors and other stakeholders in Central Asia on freedom of expression.
Contribute to strategic planning, development and projects implementation:
- Contribute to the development and implementation of relevant legal strategies and plans for the region;
- Contribute to development of fund-raising proposals if required;
- Ensure effective and timely implementation of assigned project/s, including effective work planning, narrative reporting and project monitoring and evaluation.
Other:
- Maintain and increase ARTICLE 19 network of legal contacts in the region;
- Represent ARTICLE 19 as appropriate at events and to various audiences and forums, and occasionally act as media spokesperson;
- Contribute to ARTICLE 19 publications and media outputs;
- Undertake such other reasonable tasks as may be assigned by the Senior Director for Law and Policy.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
Education and Knowledge:
- Law degree, preferably at Masters level or higher, with specialisation either in international human rights law, media law and/or digital rights;
- Sound knowledge of international law on freedom of expression and a solid grasp of standards on media freedom;
- Thorough knowledge of international and regional human rights law and mechanisms in general and of recent developments at the international level.
Skills and Abilities:
- Outstanding legal writing skills and spoken fluency in English and Russian, adaptable for targeting different audiences. Proficiency (spoken and written) in Russian is a key requirement for this post.**
- Excellent legal analysis skills;
- Ability to implement projects with legal and policy focus;
- Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively to complete a variety of tasks, without administrative support;
- High level of organization and self-motivation;
- Ability to show leadership, to take initiative, and to work independently as well as a part of a team.
Experience:
- Experience of working in the field of freedom of expression, especially media freedom;
- Experience in writing and/or editing materials for publications – both in English and Russian;
- Experience in advocacy and/or litigation at international and regional human rights systems;
- Experience in managing projects, monitoring and evaluating of impact, and managing the work of others;
- Experience of working with regional and international partners to deliver joint policy and advocacy projects.
Other requirements:**
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural work environment and with a commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunities.
- Demonstrative sensitivity and understanding in a cross-cultural environment.
- Willingness and availability for regular, and sometimes extended, travel in Europe and Central Asia region (subject to easing of Covid-19 restrictions).
- A mandatory requirement is the right to work in the UK or in the Netherlands. For exceptional candidates, remote working/consultancy arrangement is possible; however, the candidates must have a right to work at the place of location. ARTICLE 19 does not sponsor individuals for employment-based visas for this position.
DESIRABLE
- Experience of working with regional and international partners to deliver joint policy and advocacy projects;
- Media expertise;
- Knowledge of both common and civil law systems.
Application deadline is 2nd August 2020.
How to apply:
To apply, please click here