Legal Advisor

Exciting legal position for a Lebanese international humanitarian law specialist to join Diakonia’s expanding global work on international humanitarian law.

The Global International Humanitarian Law Centre of Diakonia engages in the global promotion for the respect of international humanitarian law. We believe that through promoting respect of basic legal standards in the most challenging of circumstances we can contribute to generating an environment where people and their communities can eventually live side by side, in peace and with their basic rights fully respected.

Diakonia has over ten years’ experience running an International Humanitarian Law programme, and as of 2017 works on IHL in Lebanon and Mali, complementing an international desk run from Stockholm. The position of Legal Advisor will join the IHLRD in Lebanon. This job will include international travel and the opportunity to engage with international legal specialists locally and globally, as well as work alongside IHL colleagues in the other Diakonia programs.

Service volume

100% (37, 5 hours/week)

Location within the organization

Employer: Diakonia Middle East Regional Office

Place of employment: Beirut, Lebanon Country Office 

The post holder will report to: Manager/Senior Legal Expert IHLRD

Main Responsibilities:

The Legal Advisor will work within a dynamic team of legal, advocacy, policy and programming experts at the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Resource Desk in Lebanon. She/he will conduct legal research, produce reports and briefs, deliver training sessions and presentations. 

Specific Responsibilities:

The Legal Advisor will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

1. Conceptualize and provide legal analysis on IHL, IHRL and related international law;

2. Conduct legal research, writing and analysis for legal briefs, reports, fact sheets, responses to IHL Helpdesk enquiries, and other written materials;

3. Support efforts towards strengthening presence and profile of the IHLRD in key advocacy fora, including establishing and developing relationships with key stakeholders;

4. Prepare and present legal briefings and presentations to IHLRD target groups;

5. Develop and conduct IHL/IHRL trainings, particularly related to mainstreaming IHL and related law into programming for humanitarian and development actors and donors;

6. Participate in internal peer review of legal analysis and writings;

7. Under the supervision of the IHLRD Manager, lead, organize and implement strategic advocacy activities at the local and international level.

8. Translating legal arguments into effective advocacy messaging and developing advocacy materials;

1. Participate and represent the IHL Resource Desk, and Global IHL Program, in relevant legal fora and advocacy meetings;
2. Participating with the IHLRD Manager and under her guidance in joint work with partner organizations as well as provide advice, development and capacity building of partners;
3. Contribute to the development of the IHLRD’s strategy, programme and policies, including by working with the team and partners to identify thematic priorities;
4. Support gender mainstreaming in the organization and contribute to a more equal society through gender conscious behavior, role modeling, and openness towards capacity building
5. Assist senior management in other tasks where required.
6. Maintain strict standards of confidentiality.

Qualifications and skills:

1. Degree in law (JD or LLM) with specialization and/or experience in international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international criminal law;

2. Experience working in international law;

3. Excellent analytical, research, writing and editing skills;

4. Ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including diplomats, policy makers and state officials.

5. Proven organizational skills and ability to multitasking;

6. Excellent communications skills, in particular in public speaking;

7. Strong knowledge about conflict-affected contexts in the Middle East region 

8. Solid experience of team work and external networking;

9. Outstanding level of English writing proficiency; strong command of Arabic is highly desirable;

10. Ability to work flexible hours in a fast-paced work environment and willingness to travel;

11. Strong attention to detail, flexibility and sense of humor.