JOB DESCRIPTION

OSIWA is dedicated to supporting the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. OSIWA believes that it best serves by sustaining catalytic and innovative initiatives that add value to the efforts of West Africa's civil society. OSIWA seeks to collaborate with advocacy groups, like-minded foundations, governments and donors. OSIWA further recognizes the importance of incorporating global developments in building open societies and seeks a greater commitment to the region by rich nations. OSIWA serves the 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as Cameroon, Chad and Mauritania. The Open Society Justice Initiative, an operational program of the Open Society Institute (OSI), pursues law reform activities grounded in the protection of human rights, and contributes to the development of legal capacity for open societies worldwide. The Justice Initiative combines litigation, legal advocacy, technical assistance, and the dissemination of knowledge to secure advances in the following priority areas: national criminal justice, international justice, freedom of information and expression, and equality and citizenship. Its offices are in Abuja, Budapest, London, New York and Washington DC. Based in the Abuja office, the position of Associate Legal Officer, is a three year position working on projects which focus on aiding police reform and increasing accountability for national law enforcement and criminal justice systems in Africa; helping develop effective protection of citizenship rights in Africa; exploring how to use existing legal tools — and develop new ones — to challenge natural-resource related corruption; increasing the effectiveness and participation of African states in international justice; and, working to reform the African regional human rights system, including the establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Associate Legal Officer will provide a variety of administrative, paralegal and research services entailing significant administrative and project implementation work. The Associate Legal Officer reports to the Senior Legal Officer who is responsible for overseeing the development of programming in Africa.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Undertake all necessary administrative and financial functions required for the smooth operation of the Africa program, including, but not limited to, e-mail and telephonic communication; drafting correspondence; scheduling appointments and meetings; making travel and visa arrangements; drafting grant and consultancy agreements, maintaining a program calendar; maintaining a database of project contacts; preparing budgets; and monitoring department spending and the disbursement of funds. •Organize meetings, workshops, conferences and other events, and prepare reports of these meetings. •Assist with the conceptualization, design, management and implementation of Justice Initiative projects, in cooperation with OSI National Foundations, partner NGOs, and local governmental and inter-governmental partners. •Research and prepare written memoranda on noteworthy developments on selected human rights issues, including policies emanating from regional and international institutions and tribunals. •Undertake written and oral advocacy before national and inter-governmental bodies, represent the Justice Initiative at meetings and fora, liaise with the media, cultivate a database of experts, and provide technical assistance to local partners. •Develop and edit materials for the Justice Initiative website. Collaborate with the Senior Officer-Communications on Justice Initiative publications and website content. •Manage project consultants, liaising with them on substantive, administrative and financial matters, travel arrangements and, in coordination with the Senior Legal Officer, assist them in their work and research, and supervise the delivery of reports. Supervise interns. •Travel as approved by the Senior Legal Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

•Law school graduate. •Work experience of two or more years on national criminal justice reform in one or more of the following areas: reform of policing, pre-trial detention and legal aid; conducting comparative research on critical issues of best practices in policing and human rights protection; natural resources accountability; anti-corruption; advocacy with or before regional institutions in Africa. • Work experience in more than one country preferred. •Two to four years prior office work experience. •Excellent oral and written communication and analytic skills. •Fluent written and spoken English mandatory; proficiency in French preferred. •Proven superb organizational capabilities and close attention to detail. •Ability to effectively manage several projects in a fast-paced environment. •Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, colleagues, government officials and the general public. •High level of self-motivation and ability to work both independently and in a team. •Integrity, professional discretion and ability to handle confidential matters. •Willingness to work long hours when required. •Extensive computer skills and high comfort level with computer research, database management and word processing skills, including Outlook 2000, web searching, Lexis/Nexis, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access. •Familiarity with the geographic regions of Justice Initiative engagement is a plus. SALARY: Commensurate with experience with full benefits plus 4 weeks vacation. START DATE: September 15, 2008 TO APPLY: Send resume, cover letter, brief writing sample and salary requirements to mgueye@osiwa.org , not later than August 21st, 2008. Only short listed applicants will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by August 31st, 2008, please consider that your application was not successful. No telephone inquiries, please. The Open Society Initiative for West Africa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.