JOB OPPORTUNITY | Researcher in LHR’s Strategic Litigation Programme

Date: 15/12/2022


Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) seeks to appoint a Legal Researcher for its Strategic Litigation Programme, for a period of 6 (six) months on a fixed-term contract basis.

The successful candidate will assist with the programme’s law and policy development work, lead the development of research reports, draft legal memoranda and opinions to help us fulfill our mission to protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalised communities.

The position, based in LHR’s Johannesburg office in Gauteng, will primarily involve work in refugee rights, gender rights, international criminal justice, and human rights impact litigation. The position may require the candidate to attend to work related to LHR’s other thematic programmes.

We would value a flexible candidate who shares LHR’s dynamic organisational ethos.

The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

  • Skilled in legal research with working experience in human rights law
  • Can draft clear and concise legal memoranda, briefs, and opinions
  • Proven grasp of complex legal issues
  • Able to improve the overall research output of the organisation by producing research that informs all our activities, and provides meaningful information to the public at large
  • Can support litigation with analysis, evidence-based interpretation, and application of international human rights standards
  • Able to identify and propose new opportunities for intervention in line with the LHR mandate
  • Ability to travel in and outside of South Africa

Qualifications and skills-set:

  • Post graduate qualification in either law or politics, though law is preferred
  • Excellent research and writing skills
  • Proficiency in using a variety of research databases
  • Computer literacy
  • Experience in international law and/or governance issues is preferable
  • At least one year’s work experience in a legal environment will be advantageous

LHR is committed to diversity and transformation. Candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

If you are interested in this contract position, your application should include:

  1. A considered letter of motivation; and
  2. Your comprehensive CV

Your application should be addressed to Mr Ramokwapeng Molebatsi, and sent by email to ramokwapeng@lhr.org.za, with the subject line “Application: Legal Researcher in SLP”.

The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Sunday 8 January 2023. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews shortly thereafter.

Lawyers for Human Rights is committed to the safety, well-being, and protection of children and vulnerable adults. We
employ a rights-based approach to ensuring protection for these groups, which together represent a substantial portion
our client base, and all LHR employees are expected to comply with the organisation’s standards of behaviour in this regard.

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