About the Clooney Foundation for Justice
The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that wages justice through accountability for human rights abuses around the world. TrialWatch is the first initiative in the world that systematically monitors criminal trials and defends the rights of those who are unfairly imprisoned. We are active in more than 40 countries and focus on trials against those who are most vulnerable to abusive legal systems – journalists, women, democracy-defenders, LGBTQ+ people, and minorities. We train people using our TrialWatch training, place them inside courtrooms across the globe, and work with legal experts to grade trials and expose those that are a sham. We also partner with local lawyers to free people who are unjustly imprisoned and file cases before national, regional, and international courts and human rights bodies to overturn or reform unjust laws.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Legal Program Manager for the TrialWatch initiative to help support our global trial monitoring, collaborating closely with CFJ’s local, regional, and international partners, legal clinics, and pro bono law firms. The ideal candidate is an early to mid-career human rights lawyer with a commitment to promoting fair trial rights across the world and reforming unjust legal systems. This is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic, international team at a growing NGO. The Legal Program Manager will report to the Legal Director of TrialWatch or one of TrialWatch’s Senior Program Managers, depending on assigned portfolio.
Responsibilities
- Drive an expansion of our trial monitoring, including coordination with partners, trial monitors, and other relevant actors;
- Support CFJ’s strategic litigation work streams, and other TrialWatch projects as needed, under the supervision of the Legal Director, including through legal research and drafting of submissions to national, regional or international courts or bodies;
- Support the Legal Director and Senior Program Managers in developing and executing strategic plans to further TrialWatch’s objectives;
- Serve as a point of contact for regional and local CFJ partners, including partner NGOs, to steward relationships in accordance with CFJ’s partnership principles and facilitate collaboration and information sharing on joint projects;
- Serve as point of contact for legal experts, legal clinics, and law firms to facilitate information sharing and manage outcomes of projects;
- Track measures and outcomes for responsible workstreams against expectations from TrialWatch’s major donors;
- Provide updates and reports to the TrialWatch Legal Director and Senior Program Managers;
- Support security risk assessments and related procedures for supervised projects, and participate in regional travel to support regional monitoring, training, and advocacy;
- Contribute to and support CFJ’s wider programming and organizational development;
- Support the management and supervision of interns and legal fellows;
- Represent CFJ and its work to governments, media, the global legal and human rights communities, academics, and other stakeholders, including engaging in advocacy on particular cases or initiatives arising under TrialWatch as determined by TrialWatch’s Legal Director and CFJ’s Communications Director;
- Other duties or tasks as may be assigned across TrialWatch and CFJ.
Required Qualifications
- J.D. or LL.M. from accredited law school;
- 3 years of progressively responsible legal experience at a law firm or human rights non-
- profit;
- Demonstrated ability to work with an agile, international, and multi-cultural team;
- Willingness to supervise legal fellows and interns, providing mentorship and support;
- Outstanding written and oral communications skills;
- Desire or willingness to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset;
- Passion for and interest in CFJ’s mission; and
- Willingness to contribute across the board as an integral member of a small team.
Desired Qualifications
- Licensed to practice law in a relevant jurisdiction;
- Substantive experience promoting international fair trial rights;
- Commitment to feminist principles and leadership;
- Previous exposure to regional or international human rights litigation and advocacy work or trial monitoring;
- Fluency in a language other than English.
Location: Flexible. The applicant must possess authorization to work in the country from which they will be working.
Compensation: $85,000 - $95,000 USD or equivalent based on years of relevant experience
Start Date: As soon as possible
CFJ is committed to diversity in its workforce and is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religious beliefs, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.