Consultants for Rule of Law, International Criminal Justice, and Legislative Process

Organization: Kurdistan Center for International Law (KCIL)

Location: Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) – Sulaymaniyah

No. of Position: 8

Vacancy closing date: March 15^th, 2024

Job starting date: March 15^th, 2024

About KCIL

Kurdistan Center for International Law (KCIL) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit, and independent center with a primary focus on research and analysis of the international law pertaining to Kurdistan’s communities. The KCIL combines advocacy with legal analysis to protect, promote and fulfill the fundamental principles of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law in Kurdistan. The KCIL focuses on the study of law, conflict, peace strategies, survey and policy brief, KCIL aims to combine the theoretical and practical expertise of leading academics and policymakers to deliver strategic projects. For more, visit www.kc-interlaw.org

About the Project

The project (Justice Resilience Initiative, JRI) aims to restore and safeguard people’s trust in the justice system and avert potential crises in the KRI by addressing gaps that have hindered the effectiveness of the legal system and courts in delivering justice and preventing crises, this by establishing a legal framework that aligns with international human rights standards, international criminal justice, and international humanitarian norms, with a focus on preventing crises, reducing injustice, and improving the performance of the judiciary, legislative, and executive systems. The project tries to contribute towards improving the decision-making process in the Kurdistan parliament by incorporating diverse viewpoints and ensuring that laws are drafted with a strong emphasis on respecting international standards and best practices as outlined in international human rights instruments, which is an aspect of fulfilling the state obligation for promoting the rule of law and crisis prevention among different components in the KRI. The project’s overarching objectives are to strengthen the principles of fair trial, end of impunity, accountability, standardizing legislation process, and crisis prevention.

Legal Consultants

KCIL is looking for legal experts to work as consultants for different components of the project. Details about each consultancy position are as follows:

1. International Human Rights Law Expert: The consultants will work with the KCIL and support the Kurdistan Parliament to provide legal support to the parliament and its different sections. The expert will be responsible for building a connection with the Parliament, outlining a work-plan for the consultancy period, identifying potential legal areas and aspects that the Parliament needs to improve for better understanding and consideration of international law, providing advice to relevant committees on issuing, helping and introducing (Draft Relevant Bills), and providing capacity building, if required, for the legal advisors of the parliament. The outcome of this consultancy should include legislative draft-bills, strategy briefs on international criminal law, or any other initiatives agreed upon by the parliament and the consultant.
2. Legislative Expert: The legislative consultant will work with the KCIL and support the Kurdistan Parliament with its legislative responsibilities related to developing a (Guideline on Legislative Process) integrating international standards into the Kurdistan Parliament procedural system. The responsibilities will be undertaken in collaboration with other consultants, which includes developing a work-plan for the consultation period.
3.  International Human Rights Law Expert: The consultants will work with the KCIL and be responsible for developing a (Manual of Fair Trial) in the Kurdish language. S/he needs to coordinate with the KCIL Executive Board, KRI Judicial Council, and International Institutions to undertake the responsibilities required for producing the manual, such as a work-plan, focus group discussions, interviews, outlining the manual’s structure, and writing the manual in the Kurdish language.
4. International Criminal Law Expert: The consultants will work with the KCIL and be responsible for developing a (Manual of International Criminal Justice) in the Kurdish language. S/he needs to coordinate with the KCIL Executive Board, KRI Judicial Council, and International Institutions to undertake the responsibilities required for producing the manual, such as a work-plan, focus group discussions, interviews, outlining the manual’s structure, and writing the manual in the Kurdish language.

Note: The consultants will develop training materials and conduct training and workshops for the judiciary, Parliament, Ministry of Peshmerga, lawyers, law students and other legal professionals within the next two years (2024 and 2025). The content of the workshops and technical aspects of the consultancy will be decided in collaboration between the consultants and KCIL.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills

• At least a master’s degree in international law, preferably international criminal law, international humanitarian law, or international human rights law.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in legal research.
• Demonstrate knowledge on international criminal justice, fair trials, legislative process, drafting bills, and the KRI judicial system.
• Strong organizational skills, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Kurdish is required. Arabic is an additional asset.

How to Apply

To apply for one of the consultancy positions, please submit your CV and a cover letter to [email protected]. In the subject line, indicate the exact consultancy you are applying for. In your cover letter, please include your expected daily rate for the consultancy.

Note

Applications not meeting the specified minimum requirements or received after the closing date may not be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.