CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Public International Law and Policy Group
Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 01 Feb 2015

The Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) is seeking a Constitutional Development Manager for a South Sudan project. Below please find information on PILPG and the project, as well as the role of the Constitutional Development Manager and the required qualifications for the position.

Public International Law & Policy Group Overview

PILPG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as a global pro bono law firm providing free assistance to governments,sub-state entities, and civil society groups in transitioning states. PILPG provides legal counsel to pro bono clients during peace negotiations, advises on the creation and operation of transitional justice mechanisms, provides expertise during the drafting of post-conflict constitutions, and advises on ways to strengthen the rule of law and effective institutions. In East Africa, PILPG has previously maintained offices in Kenya, Tanzania, Somaliland, South Sudan, and Uganda.

PILPG South Sudan Project Overview

PILPG has extensive experience in South Sudan, and is working with Democracy International and its consortium partners to implement the five-year USAID-supported Systems to Uphold the Credibility and Constitutionality of Elections in South Sudan (SUCCESS) program. The SUCCESS program is currently focused on increasing the capacity of South Sudanese institutions to lead processes that citizens accept as legitimate and assisting South Sudanese citizens to engage in political processes.

To assist South Sudanese citizens in engaging in these processes, PILPG is providing assistance to South Sudanese civil society organizations to strengthen their organizational and strategic capacity. PILPG is facilitating civil society’s participation in the peace process through negotiation and mediation skills training for all civil society stakeholders. In addition, PILPG is providing civil society leaders with substantive support on transitional justice issues for civil society actors to effectively engage in negotiations and take a leading role in peace and reconciliation initiatives. As South Sudan reengages on the constitutional development process, PILPG will provide technical and material support in the drafting process and support civil society in civic education to ensure that citizen views are taken into consideration. Women’s leadership in these political processes and initiatives is a core component of the program.

Role of the Constitutional Development Manager

PILPG is seeking a legal professional with at least eight years of experience in constitutional development, peace processes, transitional justice or related technical areas, preferably in post-conflict contexts and/or Africa.

The Constitutional Development Manager will be based in Juba, Republic of South Sudan. He or she shall work under the supervision of the PILPG Project Director, who is based in the US.

Responsibilities

· Build and maintain relationships with South Sudanese civil society organizations;

· Conduct technical assistance, ongoing consultations, and follow-ups with relevant civil society organizations on issues related to the peace processes and platform development;

· Facilitate program activities, including workshops and trainings, on transitional justice, negotiation and mediation skills, constitutional development, and public consultation efforts;

· Communicate and coordinate with SUCCESS Consortium members, South Sudanese civil society organizations, and relevant consultants on the design and substance of workshops;

· Build and maintain relationships and cooperation with international and domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society leaders;

· Conduct consultations and meetings with other NGOs, international organizations, and US government offices to ensure complementarity of programming, points of collaboration, and information exchanges;

· Coordinate with the PILPG Project Director and other PILPG staff on the preparation of reference resources, curriculum development, and other documents and initiatives;

· Provide substantive direction to PILPG research team, and pro bono volunteers and law firm partners on the drafting of reference materials, including comparative studies, option papers, and core elements memorandum;

· Work in coordination with PILPG’s Constitutional Development Advisor;

· Identify, mentor, and manage local lawyers engaged in the Constitutional Fellowship program as part of the SUCCESS project;

· Analyze local political conditions and the effectiveness of the project in meeting the stated goals and objectives;

· Ensure adherence to requisite grantor and US government policies and procedures;

· Oversee the development, review, and timely submission of project-related materials, including regular reports and internal circulations that update, measure, and evaluate project results;

· Coordinate closely with PILPG’s Washington, DC office, as well as Democracy International staff and other consortium partners, on the overall strategy and development of the project;

· Provide regular briefings to PILPG’s Washington, DC office on political and security developments and implementation of the program;

· Maintain regular communication with the PILPG Project Director, as well as the research team, including conducting weekly Skype calls and drafting monthly updates on project activities; and

· Coordinate closely with the Pro Bono Director on pro bono contributions to the project, including law firm partners, and

· Coordinate closely with other PILPG field offices.

Administration

· Draft materials on the South Sudan project for PILPG’s website, annual reports, internal circulations and law firm updates at the request of senior staff;

· Maintain PILPG’s in-country financial books related to the SUCCESS in accordance with PILPG’s financial policies and procedures manual;

· Develop quarterly project reports that detail project activities and measure and evaluate project results;

· Facilitate the visits of non-field staff, consultants, and funder representatives as appropriate; and

· Manage all local service providers to PILPG and local office and related logistics and financials.

Educational and Professional Qualifications

· A higher education degree in law, or other relevant field;

· A minimum of eight years work experience in constitutional-development related activities, transitional justice, peace processes, or related technical areas, preferably in a post-conflict context and/or Africa;

· Demonstrated experience working with new states, states in transition, and/or post-conflict states;

· Past experience developing relationships with senior government officials and civil society leaders;

· Experience working with US government regulations is a plus;

· Knowledge of and previous experience in Sudan or South Sudan is highly desirable;

· Fluency in written and spoken English is required; and

· Prior overseas fieldwork, preferably in a post-conflict context and/or Africa.

Communication and Organizational Skills

· Capacity to conduct research, edit, and draft reference resources, including comparative studies, option papers, and core elements memorandum, and, as needed, draft policy proposal or constitutional language;

· Strong analytic and organizational skills;

· Prior experience editing writings of others to ensure professional quality and suitability;

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work closely with multiple team members located across the globe;

· Ability to effectively manage multiple activities in a fast-paced, challenging overseas environment; and

· Initiative to be a responsive self-starter to solve problems independently.

How to apply:

How to Apply

Send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to recruitment@pilpg.org.

Include in the subject line: Application: South Sudan Constitutional Development Manager.