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Competitive salary + excellent benefits

Do you want to help make the world a better place with your legal advocacy skills, analysis, strategic thinking, persuasive communication, creativity, and strong execution? The Open Society Justice Initiative, a human rights law centre within OSF, is seeking an Advocacy Officer based in Berlin to develop and implement advocacy strategies and tactics at the national level to advance Justice Initiative priorities in Europe.

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

The Advocacy Officer will develop and implement advocacy strategies and tactics, at the national level, to advance Justice Initiative priorities in Europe. The Advocacy Officer will engage influential targets at the national and local advocacy, including parliamentarians, government ministers and ministry staff, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, and others, on relevant European-based priorities; illustrative areas include anti-discrimination, anti-corruption, economic justice, and climate justice. They also will develop and strengthen relationships with local partners (movement members, NGOs, academics, bar associations); identify promising and context-appropriate law-based advocacy arguments; hold bilateral meetings and events; and undertake substantial written and oral advocacy. Work is carried out independently and under general supervision, reporting to the Justice Initiative Advocacy Director.

The Open Society Justice Initiative uses strategic litigation and other kinds of legal advocacy to defend and promote the rule of law and to advance human rights. We employ litigation, legal advocacy, and legal empowerment across a range of issues.

As an Advocacy Officer, you will:

• Undertake strategic national level advocacy in multiple relevant European jurisdictions, working with a wide range of Justice Initiative project teams to identify and seize key opportunities and craft advocacy strategies that complement and amplify our litigation;
• Stay abreast of legal and political developments in thematic areas of interest to the Justice Initiative at the national level and develop project strategy plans and budgets;
• Conduct research (including legal research) and analysis for use in advocacy materials;
• Develop and strengthen relationships with nationally based civil society partners, government, parliamentary, court and institutional officials, academics, and OSF colleagues working on related issues in other OSF programs;
• Draft reports, briefing notes, formal submissions, and other advocacy publications for diverse audiences;
• Organize consultations, briefings, meetings, and other events;
• Liaise with Brussels-based and other OSF colleagues to ensure that European advocacy is coordinated.

We are looking for someone with:

• A law degree and at least six to eight years’ experience undertaking national-level advocacy focused on human rights or other justice-related fields (including climate or economic justice) in Europe;
• Demonstrated record of accomplishment in seizing and capitalizing on advocacy opportunities in more than one European state;
• Existing relationships and networks with national-level actors (e.g. officials, parliamentarians) in more than one European jurisdiction;
• Knowledge of national law in at least one influential European state;
• Willingness to undertake substantial travel.

We offer ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite training's and brown bag lunches with visiting experts, as well as top-notch benefits and perks designed for your well-being and a healthy work-life balance.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website: https://osfglobal.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/OSF/job/Berlin/Advocacy-Officer_JR-0001888.

Closing date: 12 October 2020.

this job offer is not open for applications