Legal Advisor – Western Balkans

American Bar Association Background
The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.

Program Presentation
ABA is recruiting a Legal Advisor to support the anticipated “Strengthening Human Rights, Information Integrity, Equality, and Democracy for the LGBTQI+ population in the Western Balkans” (Western Balkans Equality SHIELD) program. The program will work to mitigate the impact of anti-rights disinformation so that the LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex) population is able to exercise their rights equally. It will be implemented in the Western Balkans, with regional activities and in-country work in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia by a consortium consisting of the ABA, the LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey (ERA), and Justice for Prosperity.

Job Summary
The Legal Advisor will work under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, and in collaboration with ABA colleagues in the U.S. and consortium partners to provide technical legal support for the implementation of the program’s deliverables.

Location
This is a full-time position that can be based in Tirana, Albania; Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Pristina, Kosovo; Skopje, North Macedonia; or Belgrade, Serbia.

Applicants based in other cities in these countries and outside of the region with relevant experience will also be accepted.

Responsibilities

• Analyze laws, regulations, court rules, and policies in the Western Balkans to design and implement accountability strategies for human rights violations and corruption in the region.
• Provide technical assistance and legal advice to partner organizations and government officials in the region to implement accountability strategies for human rights violations and corruption in the region. This may include providing technical assistance on individual cases.
• Conduct legal and factual research and write reports on issues related to anti-rights disinformation efforts and related human rights law and policy matters.
• Prepare memoranda, speeches, and articles, including those for publication, on anti-rights disinformation strategies, accountability mechanisms, and their implications for national and international human rights.
• Design and collaborate on the legal and advocacy aspects of capacity-building activities in the area of fighting disinformation for partner organizations.
• Collaborate with partner organizations in analyzing anti-rights disinformation strategies.
• Represent ABA and the program before human rights organizations to collaborate in holding malign actors accountable for anti-rights disinformation efforts.
• Supervise interns, externs, legal fellows, legal pro-bono volunteers, and consultants, and review their technical deliverables as needed.
• Coordinate with program staff and lead the drafting of assigned sections for the required periodic reports to the donor.
• Collaborate in compiling the necessary sources of information for the program’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to the program as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Basic qualifications

• Strong commitment to the rule of law principles.
• Degree in Law.
• A minimum of five years’ relevant experience in democracy, governance, civil society, or human rights advocacy.
• Clear and concise communication skills (written and oral) in English.
• Fluency in English and one of the official Western Balkan languages (Albanian, Bosnian, Macedonian, and Serbian) with strong written and oral communication skills required.
• Deep understanding of the political, legal, and human rights situation in the Western Balkans.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct legal analysis and produce high‐quality written material in a simple format for a variety of audiences.
• Experience in advocacy on behalf of human rights defenders with foreign ministries, corporations, and multilateral institutions.
• Experience developing strategies for litigation and other accountability strategies.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively address ABA needs.
• Willingness to travel within the country and Europe as needed.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with United States of America Government-funded program.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter in English by July 28.

Legal Advisor – Western Balkans – American Bar Association – Career Page (applytojob.com)