EAA is looking for a Law and Policy Specialist to support the Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC) programme. S/he is responsible for developing, implementing, reviewing and updating PEIC’s law, policy and data strategy for ensuring that its programmatic work supports the overarching PEIC objectives and is integrated and aligned with and supports the strategies and programmes of the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation. S/he manages PEIC’s law-related work and represents PEIC in external processes of legal policy, policy research, thought leadership advocacy, coordination, collaboration and liaison.

Job Responsibilities

• In coordination with PEIC leadership, identify PEIC’s law, policy and data goals;
• Assist to lead and coordinate the work on the design, development, implementation, review and updating of global, regional and country-level legal advocacy strategies;
• Work actively to identify new alliances and partnerships;
• Ensure that the law, policy and data streams of work supports the overall PEIC strategy and is complementary to and supports the strategies of other PEIC streams.
• Provide input into RTP’s research agenda as it relates to education research and learning
• Provide technical input and coordinate the work of PEIC’s law, policy and data work in fulfilment of its strategic objectives and work plans;
• Supervise members of PEIC and Co-ordinate the contributions of external consultants and contractors, and liaise with other PEIC and EAA colleagues;
• Help to ensure effective programme management through the efficient and timely fulfilment of work plans and related administrative, budgetary and reporting tasks.
• Lead and coordinate the development of the law, policy and data so that it contributes to greater attention being paid to education-related violations of international law and takes account of developments in international law and politics;
• Keep the organization up-to-date on development in policy of relevance to such violations;
• Commission and publish studies that strengthen the legal advocacy dimension of PEIC’s work to protect education in situations of insecurity, conflict and post-conflict;
• Strengthen the integration of all dimensions of PEIC’s mandate (especially regarding the Global Data Service);
• Coordinate capacity development activities at international, regional and national levels.
• Maintain and cultivate active and healthy connections with other relevant organizations;
• Liaise regularly with key institutions in the area of international law, notably the UN, ICC, ICRC, UN treaty bodies and Special Procedures, etc.;
• Ensure advocacy, directly or indirectly, to relevant UN processes (e.g. UN Secretary-General Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, UN treaty bodies, Special Procedures, etc.);
• Establish sound relations with universities, legal research centres, human rights organizations, etc., in order to strengthen PEIC’s legal advocacy activities and capacities;
• Organize and coordinate with GCPEA PEIC’s legal advocacy activities;
• Represent PEIC in international, regional and national fora;
• In collaboration with other EAA programs and in close liaison with relevant EAA departments, contribute to fundraising activities.
• Ensure that the law, policy and data dimension is effectively integrated into PEIC’s advocacy strategy and activities;
• Establish good relations with the media at local, regional and international levels;
• Contribute to the regular updating of the PEIC domain of the EAA website, especially on education-related legal issues;
• Work closely with EAA’s Outreach team, especially in regard to communications (including social media campaigns), events and website development services.

In order to be successful in this role you will bring:

• An advanced university law or related disciplinary degree (Preferably an LLM/Master in Law or equivalent related disciplinary MA) with specialization in international law (preferably international human rights, humanitarian or criminal law)
• 5+ years of professional experience in international law, legal advocacy or related field, preferably with legal programme management, project development, and advocacy at international and regional levels; experience in the fields of the right to education or the protection of education in situations of insecurity, conflict and post-conflict is desirable.

Other Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international criminal law
• Familiarity with the UN system, including the treaty bodies and other international and regional human rights tribunals and jurisprudence
• Practical and/or academic expertise and/or experience of working with or through international and regional legal enforcement mechanisms and processes
• Familiarity with transitional justice processes (including reparations)
• Knowledge of the humanitarian and development communities relevant to international advocacy, including governments, donors, NGOs, the UN system and relevant international organizations
• Awareness of the field of education-in-emergencies and the interactions between education and protection
• Demonstrated management and strategy development skills, including in regard to planning and budgetary processes
• Proven ability to develop and maintain good relations of partnership, collaboration and liaison with external parties
• Proven ability to undertake advocacy and media outreach activities successfully
• Ability to lead meetings, deliver presentations, give speeches and represent PEIC to external audiences
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including abilities in leadership, teamwork and personnel management
• Proven ability to coordinate staff and programmatic activities to achieve goals and objectives
• Proven ability to coordinate and liaise across departments and programmes
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills; any other UN language will be an added advantage.