European Legal Support Centre currently recruiting for a Legal Researcher

Forum for Global Human Rights (FGHR) x European Legal Support Center (ELSC)

Legal Researcher

Location: Remote

Contract Type: Voluntary (Unpaid)

About Our Partner: European Legal Support Center (ELSC)

The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) is an Amsterdam-based NGO which provides free legal advice and assistance to associations, human rights NGOs, groups and individuals advocating for Palestinian rights in mainland Europe and the United Kingdom. We do so through our three strands: monitor, defend and empower:

• Monitor: We document and analyse restrictive measures that result in “shrinking space” for civil society defending Palestinian rights across Europe.
• Defend: We develop legal tools and strategies against disinformation, smear campaigns and discriminatory policies to protect the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
• Empower: We facilitate and promote strategic litigation against public and private actors involved in violating Palestinian human rights to stop corporate impunity and strengthen accountability.

Project Description

The ELSC, together with the Forum for Global Human Rights (FGHR), is working on a legal research project in the field of Human Rights and Freedom of Expression. The FGHR Project Team will support the ELSC team by researching relevant case law and providing in-depth legal analysis on the above-mentioned areas.

Job Description: Legal Researcher

Legal researchers will conduct research and contribute to the drafting of a legal opinion covering equality & discrimination, human rights and international law. The selected researchers will be given specific research questions to address and will be supported by a project supervisor, the FGHR and the ELSC. The research project presents a unique opportunity for candidates to gain practical legal research and drafting skills and to increase their knowledge in our areas of specialisation.

Expected Commitment: ~6-8 hours per week for the duration of the project term (21 November 2022 – 02 June 2023).

Requirements:

• Applicants must be enrolled in a University in Scotland.
• Applicants must be in the third or fourth year of their undergraduate law degree;
  • and/or pursuing an LLM following the completion of an LLB degree.
• A genuine interest in human rights and freedom of expression
• Some knowledge of UK Equality & Discrimination law and international human rights law (particular of the European Convenition of Human Rights)
• Some knowledge of the Israel-Palestine context and related issues/debates.
• Skills and experience with legal research and drafting legal documents
• Strong editing, personal and administrative skills
• A high degree of professionalism
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Excellent oral & written skills in English (other languages are highly valuable)

Ideal Competencies and Experiences:

• Prior working in small teams
• Previous legal professional experience/legal research experience

Application Process

• All interested applicants must submit a CV in English (max. 2 pages in length), a one-page Cover Letter addressed to the Forum for Global Human Rights Partnerships & Projects Department, and a Writing Sample through the following application form by 11.59 pm BST on 05 November 2022: https://forms.gle/BsfY2qtkPkxyirsH8. .
• Interviews will be scheduled after the deadline of the vacancy.

For any further questions or concerns, please reach out to forumglobalhumanrights@gmail.com