Vacancies

Senior Legal Counsel position (Geneva office)

Civitas Maxima coordinates a network of national and international lawyers and investigators who work for the interest of victims of international crimes. It operates in situations where no legal action to bring the perpetrators to justice has been successful and works in close partnership with the Global Justice and Research Project (GJRP), based in Monrovia. Civitas Maxima represents victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. 

Civitas Maxima was registered in September 2012 as an association in Geneva, Switzerland, and is recognized by the Swiss authorities as a not-for-profit organization. It is an equal opportunity employer. 

For more information: www.civitas-maxima.org

Civitas Maxima hereby advertises a Senior Legal Counsel position.

Civitas Maxima offers a salary range from 5500 CHF to 6000 CHF (gross) based on the level of experience.

Position:  Senior Counsel – General portfolio 

Contract: Fixed-term contract (1 year) with a possibility to extend to an indeterminate contract under Swiss law, full time, 40h per week

Location: Geneva (Switzerland)

Deadline for application: 24 March 2023

Personal attributes: 

  • Respect for other cultures and value systems, flexibility, ability to work independently and take initiative;
  • Comfortable working with a wide range of personalities, and to interact with tact, diplomacy, and cultural sensitivity; 
  • Ability to work efficiently under time pressure and respond to a dynamic and changing environment, skilled at prioritizing and completing multiple tasks with autonomy, while working as part of a team;
  • Energetic, resourceful, innovative thinker, and willing and ready to take a hands-on role; 
  • A genuine interest in victims’ rights and comfortable working with victims of human rights abuses;
  • Ability and willingness to travel occasionally in challenging conditions. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Legal Counsel is responsible for the following tasks:

  • Coordination/Supervision:
    – Assist with the coordination and supervision of the legal team in the Hague and in Geneva
  • Investigation:
    – Prepare and conduct investigations, including investigative planning, evidence collection, interviews, etc.
  • Legal:
    – Conduct legal research and analysis related to the cases assigned;
    – Draft complaints, legal memoranda, judicial acts, and other legal documents as required;
    – Liaise with prosecuting authorities and/or national lawyers;
    – Proceed to the disclosure of evidence, and preparation of/participation in (as the case may be) hearings;
    – Develop litigation strategies.
  • Analysis:
    – Identify leads and advise on potential perpetrators, sources of evidence, witnesses (victims, insiders, experts or other), OSINT, documents, etc.;
    – Produce analytical products.
  • Other:
    – Liaise with Civitas Maxima’s partner organizations and build their capacity as required;
    – Work on case management and analysis platforms to systematize evidence (current and backload) related to international crimes as required; 
    – Supervise interns;
    – Draft SOPs as required;
    – Conduct any other tasks as required.

Qualifications:

  • Education:
    – Master’s degree or equivalent advanced university degree in law with a specialization in International Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, or similar;
    – Admission to the bar is an asset.
  • Work experience: 
    – A minimum of 10 years in International Criminal Law, and/or International Humanitarian Law, and/or Human Rights Law, or equivalent domestic practice; 
    – Experience building international, domestic, and/ or extraterritorial cases;
    – Experience with investigative work. Field experience is an asset;
    – Experience representing and working with victims;
    – Experience with SGBV survivors is an asset; 
    – Working experience in international criminal tribunals is an asset;
    – Knowledge of and experience related to West Africa, especially Liberia and Ivory Coast, is an asset.
  • Languages: 
    – Native English (or equivalent);
    – Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French is an asset.
  • Skills and Abilities:
    – Excellent analysis, research, and drafting skills;
    – High motivation and demonstrated interest in international justice;
    – Case management and excellent organizational skills;
    – Knowledge of Case Map is an asset;
    – Good ability to work with computers and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.);
    – Mandatory: Authorization to work in Switzerland (Only EU national, Schengen Visa or Swiss Permit).

How to apply:

To apply, send an email by 24 March 2023 to jobs@civitas-maxima.org with: 

  • The specific position (portfolio) for which you apply in the title of the email;
  • CV and Cover Letter;
  • The names and contact details of three (3) references (these will only be contacted after shortlisting); including two (2) supervisors and one (1) colleague;
  • Please no phone enquiries. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.