Staff Attorney: Lusophone Southern Africa Full-Time

The Advancing Rights in Southern Africa (ARISA) Program is currently implementing a 5 year-programme in eight Southern African countries namely; Angola, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. The thematic areas of the Program are: Women’s Customary Land Rights, Indigenous People’s Rights, the Rights of Human Rights Defenders and Media Freedoms and Digital Rights. The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABAROLI) is part of the 4 member consortium implementing the ARISA Program, and seeks to appoint a Portuguese speaking Staff Attorney/Lawyer to support its programming in the region, mainly supporting work in Angola and Mozambique.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Party, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Staff Attorney will support the ARISA/ABAROLI program through provision of technical, legal, and human rights assistance to local partners based in Angola and Mozambique, and contribute related legal and technical assistance to the project on advancing the protection of the thematic issues covered by the project. The program has a strong litigation, research and civil society support component, therefore the ideal candidate must have a strong background in these areas in addition to demonstrable experience and skills working in one or more of the target thematic areas.

Duties

The specific duties of the position include the following:

• Undertake legal and human rights research in one or more of the project’s thematic areas and in the eight programme countries, with a focus on Angola and Mozambique with an aim to provide strategic advice to project team on timely and strategic interventions;
• Undertake timely and strategic interventions as pertains to the thematic areas covered by the project;
• Support litigation in the thematic areas, including provision of case support through legal advice and legal research;
• Support internal and external meetings and missions including the provision of logistical support to the Program Team and partners;
• Build, strengthen and nurture partnerships with local CSO partners, as well as human rights organisations/defenders, governments and the legal profession in the program countries as well as regional and international intergovernmental bodies;
• Lead and support the development and submission of human rights reports to the States/State Institutions and intergovernmental bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union Institutions and United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms, as pertains to the human rights situation in Mozambique and Angola;
• Assist with program administration including budget preparation, expenditure reports, program and mission reports, meeting minutes and compiling monitoring and evaluation information and reports; and
• Any other duties as directed by the Deputy Chief of Party.

Qualifications and Experience

• A first degree in law from a recognised institution. A Masters’ degree in international or human rights law will be a distinct advantage;
• At least 5 – 7 years’ experience working on legal and human rights issues, including relevant work in Angola and/or Mozambique, and at SADC regional level;
• Admitted to practice law in any SADC Country;
• Must have a right to live and work in Mozambique.

Skills and Competencies

• Fluency in both Portuguese and English as well as writing and reading proficiency in both languages;
• Ability to work remotely, with minimum supervision whilst delivering exceptional results;
• Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as the use of computer and online skills for research, reporting and holding meetings with dispersed colleagues;
• Excellent research and report writing skills; and
• Good interpersonal skills and experience working well in a team.