Legal officer- OMCT عودة إلى الفرص

OMCT MENA is seeking to recruit a legal officer for its Libya program “RESILIENT – Reinforcing Stakeholders In Libya to Engage against Torture”.

Location: OMCT MENA office in Tunis

Conditions: Full-time position. 2-year contract. The position may require international travel.

About OMCT:

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) is an international, independent, non-governmental organisation, founded in Geneva in 1985. Its international secretariat is based in Geneva, with offices in Brussels and Tunisia. The OMCT works with around 200 member organisations, which constitute its SOS-Torture Network, and together we make up the largest global movement actively standing up against torture in more than 90 countries, including in the MENA region. Helping local voices to be heard, we support our vital partners in the field and provide direct assistance to victims. The OMCT is a member of the European Human Rights Defenders Protection mechanism (ProtectDefenders.EU) and has consultative status before the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). 

The Mission of the OMCT is to contribute to the eradication of torture, summary executions, disappearances, arbitrary detention and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and to provide protection to victims and potential victims through a global network of civil society organisations working in partnership and solidarity.

About OMCT’s program in Libya:

The OMCT is launching a new project in Libya that aims at tackling torture and institutionalized violence by state and non-state actors through capacity-building, empowerment and advocacy. 

Responsibilities of the Legal Officer

The OMCT Libya Legal Officer will work under the supervision of the OMCT Libya Program Coordinator and in close cooperation with the Legal Director of the OMCT Tunisia and other OMCT staff.

He/she will prepare and facilitate training workshops on documentation and remain a resource person for all technical questions related to documenting torture cases and providing legal assistance. The Legal Officer will coach the members of the Libyan Anti-torture Network (LAN) on legal questions throughout project implementation and also provide input and expertise for advocacy-related issues.

Responsibilities of the position include:

• Carrying out a comprehensive assessment of documentation and legal assistance activities of CSO members of the Libyan Anti-torture Network (LAN): ways of work, strengths, weaknesses, obstacles faced in the course of their actions and needs in terms of training;
• Conceiving a two-year training program including three trainings on documentation and legal assistance : defining learning objectives and training methodology (in person and online);
• Delivering the trainings, if necessary, in coordination with experts on documentation, international criminal law, forensic or other issues that will be tackled in the trainings;
• Providing the LAN members with long-term technical assistance through working on concrete victims’ cases (assistance on documentation, legal characterization of facts according to national and international law, definition of a legal assistance strategy, including strategic litigations, etc.);
• Organizing thematic working sessions with LAN members to share good practices and discuss difficulties encountered in the course of documentation and legal assistance;
• Playing a key role in the drafting of thematic reports and briefing notes on the torture phenomenon in collaboration with the members of the LAN;
• Participating in advocacy meetings at an international level;
• Assisting the Libya Program Coordinator with the organization of advocacy workshops and regular meetings with the LAN members;
• Participating in other activities lead by OMCT Libya.

Qualifications:

• University law degree.
• At least five years of recognized practical experience in criminal law, international criminal law and/or international human rights law. 
• Experience with working on migration issues will be an asset. 
• Work experience in the MENA region. Prior work experience on/in Libya will be an asset.

Competencies: 

• Excellent oral and written drafting and communication skills in English and Arabic.
• Excellent knowledge of international criminal law and international humanitarian law.
• Excellent skills in legal analysis.
• Excellent ability to gather, analyze, and present information in a timely and well-organized manner.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills meeting deadlines and adjusting priorities.