Parliament Observatory Researcher

Legal Agenda is seeking to hire a full-time legal researcher to coordinate the activity of its Parliamentary Observatory. The position is ideal for legal professionals with academic or research background who are interested in reflecting critically about the use of law for the public interest and the well-being of the Lebanese society.

The Legal Agenda (LA) is a Beirut-based nonprofit research and advocacy organization with offices in Lebanon and Tunisia and correspondents in several other Arab countries. It was established in December 2009 by a group of legal professionals, scholars, and human rights activists who institutionalized their efforts to build a critical and multidisciplinary approach to law and justice in Arab countries with a special focus on political, civil, social, and economic rights.

The Observatory aims to promote public knowledge of and participation in parliamentary processes governance through monitoring the oversight, legislative, and representative performance of parliament members, committees, and general assembly.

Position title: Parliament Observatory Researcher

Reporting line: Head of the Research and Legislation Department

Expected Starting Date: As soon as possible

Main responsibilities

The Parliament Observatory Researcher, under the supervision of the Head of the Department, is responsible for the following:

• Monitor, analyze and produce relevant content on the activity of the Parliament (MPs, Committees, and GA) qualitatively and quantitatively.
• Conduct in-depth legal research and analysis on drafts laws, legislation and parliamentary process in the Lebanese context, from a comparative perspective with good practices from other legislative systems, and highlighting their social and economic impact.
• Collaborate with the other departments in the Legal Agenda (socio-legal studies, litigation and journalism) to deconstruct the processes of adopting legislation and its impact on society, and produce a better understanding of it to the benefits of citizens, researchers, and other legal professionals

Main Tasks:

• Coordinate the efforts to produce observation reports on parliamentary debate sessions both quantitatively and qualitatively
• Produce regular legal analytical articles on relevant legislation in order to participate in the public debate on legal issues with a focus on socio-economic rights.
• Conducting interviews with stakeholders when necessary,
• Coordinate the database related to the Parliamentary observatory
• Coordinate the efforts to produce annual reports on the activity of parliament both quantitatively and qualitatively

Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Law is required.
• At least 5 to 7 years of previous experience in legal research, including experience in academic or civil society context. Specialization in public and economic administration Law is highly desirable.
• Excellent research skills including in comparative law.
• Excellent Arabic legal writing skills. Good knowledge in French or English legal research is highly desirable.
• Previous experience or skills in coordinating a team.
• Good time-management skills and ability to work both independently and within a team