Human Rights Legal Specialist, USAID-funded Promoting Human Rights in Armenia (PHRA) Activity

Counterpart International is seeking a Human Rights Legal Specialist for the upcoming USAID-funded Promoting Human Rights in Armenia (PHRA) Activity. The program will promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Armenia by preventing and responding to human rights violations and by enhancing rights protection. Responsible for leading and managing PHRA Component 1, the Human Rights Legal Specialist will work closely with the Government of Armenia (National Assembly, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and other relevant agencies), civil society partners, and other human rights stakeholders to improve the legal and regulatory frameworks for human rights protection. The Human Rights Legal Specialist will provide vision and technical leadership for Component 1 and will work closely with other component leads and departments to ensure a holistic, coordinated approach to achieving program objectives. This is a full-time position based in Yerevan, Armenia that will report to the PHRA Chief of Party.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, management, quality control, technical direction and oversight of PHRA Component 1: improving the legal and regulatory frameworks for human rights protection.
• Coordinate with Component 2 and 3 leads to ensure a holistic approach to achieving program objectives, especially around advocacy of human rights legislation and/or litigation.
• Act as primary program liaison with the Government of Armenia, building and maintaining relationships with government agencies, appointees, and staff, to help the program achieve its objectives despite shifts in key government personnel.
• Coordinate and implement specialized technical events, such as workshops and roundtables, to analyze and build consensus around legislative reform on pressing human rights issues.
• Work closely with the Grants team to manage and oversee the implementation of Component 1 grants to human rights organizations for advocacy of human rights legislation to achieve Component 1 results.
• Lead the development of analytical reports related to Component 1 and provide reporting inputs to PHRA’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager.
• Identify obstacles and risks related to Component 1 implementation in a timely manner and recommend appropriate adjustments to the Chief of Party.

Qualifications

• Degree in Law, International Development, Social Sciences, Political Science, Governance and Civil Society and/or other related fields, and deep knowledge of legal issues within Armenia
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in human rights, with a strong preference for experience working on USAID, UN, EU, and other international donor programs
• Experience working in the legal and regulatory environment for human rights protection within Armenia
• Familiarity with the laws, governing bodies, CSOs, and human rights protection mechanisms within area, including but not limited to: HRDO, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Human Rights Action Plan, Human Rights House Armenia Civil Society Organizations, etc.
• Demonstrated commitment to considering and addressing the needs of marginalized groups including women, youth, and PWDs.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with civil society, local government officials, civic leaders, media, private sector representatives, and international donors.
• Fluency in English and Armenian.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in Law, International Development, Social Sciences, Political Science, Governance and Civil Society and/or other related fields.
• Experience on USAID funded projects