Migration Lawyer

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OPEN SOCIETY JUSTICE INITIATIVE
POSITION AVAILABLE
MIGRATION LAWYER
(BASED IN LONDON)

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros established the Open Society Foundations, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. Our activities have grown to encompass the United States and more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Each Foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.

The Open Society Justice Initiative uses law to protect and empower people around the world. Through litigation, advocacy, research, and technical assistance, the Justice Initiative promotes human rights and builds legal capacity for open societies. We foster accountability for international crimes, combat racial discrimination and statelessness, support criminal justice reform, address abuses related to national security and counterterrorism, expand freedom of information and expression, and stem corruption linked to the exploitation of natural resources. Our staff are based in Abuja, Amsterdam, Bishkek, Brussels, Budapest, Freetown, The Hague, London, Mexico City, New York, Paris, Phnom Penh, Santo Domingo and Washington, D.C.

In recognition of the growing impact of migration on global society, and its emerging prominence on the international agenda, the Open Society Institute has launched the International Migration Initiative. The initiative seeks to address inequality, exclusion, and discrimination of migrants during their journey and once they reach the country of destination.
Based in London, the Migration Lawyer develops, implements and manages program strategies and projects in the field of International Migration. Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Open Society Justice Initiative, the Lawyer works in close consultation with Open Society Foundations’ International Migration Initiative.

Tasks include hands-on engagement in providing assistance to NGOs in pursuing legal advocacy and to governments in the design and/or implementation of legislation and institutional reform; litigation and support for litigation; and research and policy analysis. Although this is a position with global remit, it is expected that the Lawyer will devote a substantial portion of time to litigation and projects in the Asia-Middle East migration corridor and Central America/Mexico.

Responsibilities:
Project/Case Development
• Develop plans, strategies, litigation, and reform activities for advancement of migrants’ rights and Open Society Foundations’ international migration principles.
• Investigate, research, and analyze particular aspects of international migration law and search for potential partners in countries where Open Society Justice Initiative and/or the International Migration Initiative have or are contemplating projects.
• Assist in the development of a methodology for monitoring international migration law, as needed.
• Develop and propose projects and recommend potential partners to address identified needs.
• Design and/or provide training on international migration law for human rights Lawyers, law students, and practitioners.
• Represent Open Society Justice Initiative and/or International Migration Initiative at meetings, conferences, workshops and to other international organizations as needed.

Management
• Ensure the efficient day-to-day conduct of projects, including by pursuing research, litigation and legal assistance, advocacy and capacity building.
• Implement and evaluate specific projects funded or otherwise supported by Open Society Foundations on migration issues.
• Ensure prompt and effective case planning through the development of litigation/project plans, new case assessments, case conferences, outlines of arguments and draft briefs.
• Coordinate with other Justice Initiative program staff.
• Maintain and develop close working relationships with project partners in countries of operation and internationally; propose potential partners to address the specific needs of the projects/cases.
• Follow all internal reporting procedures for management oversight of the cases/projects.
• Identify and pursue advocacy opportunities.
• Provide legal advice, assistance and representation on domestic, regional and international human rights law, jurisprudence and related developments for external organisations (NGOs) and clients (i.e. Lawyers).

Litigation
• Conduct litigation of specific cases that are developed.
• Undertake legal and factual research into complex issues of human rights law and procedure.
• Draft legal applications, briefs, pleadings and other documents for submission to domestic courts and human rights courts, and review and revise documents drafted by other Lawyers.
• Liaise with domestic co-counsel, law clinics, pro bono Lawyers, and other partners in the litigation.
• Design and implement advocacy plans in order to support the cases.
• Ensure appropriate professional standards and client care protocols are followed.
• Assist and advise other Justice Initiative litigators on their cases, as and when required.

Administrative
• Attend monthly staff meetings and program meetings, as required.
• Submit a monthly report of activities.
• Ensure accurate and up to date filing of documents in paper and electronic format.
• Provide information to the litigation coordinator for the litigation calendar and litigation matrix.
• Prepare consultancy agreements and/or legal representation agreements for co-counsel and other partners, when necessary.

Communication
• Prepare and update website entries and documents relevant to the assigned cases/projects.
• Write and/or edit briefs, reports, reports, advocacy materials, press releases, blogs and other documents necessary to support the cases/projects as required.
• In collaboration with the Communications team, contribute to and produce publications.
• Provide material for the Open Society Foundations website, and update files and the website on projects for which the Lawyer is taking lead responsibility.

Qualifications:
• Minimum seven years experience of migration law work, including at least four years litigating cases in domestic and international fora.
• Familiarity with international and regional human rights tribunals and jurisprudence, particularly in the field of migration.
• Additional human rights work or law practice, especially at the appellate and sub-regional courts highly desirable.
• Fluency in English.
• Ability to work in Spanish, French or another widely spoken language highly desirable.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong oral and written communication and analytic skills.
• Extraordinary initiative and creativity.
• Attention to detail.
• Skills and high comfort level with computer research, database management and word processing, including Outlook, internet, Lexis/Nexis, Microsoft Word.
• Pleasant manner and disposition in interacting with colleagues at all levels, contacts, and the general public.
• Ability to work both independently and with others.
• Integrity, professional discretion and ability to handle confidential matters.

SALARY: £65,000 per annum. Excellent benefits package.

START DATE: ASAP

TO APPLY: Send cover letter, curriculum vitae and legal writing sample no later than Monday, 6th June, 2011 to: recruitment-JI@osf-eu.org

Please include Job Code: MIGLAW/OSJI in subject line.

No telephone calls, please. The Open Society Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

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