Senior Legal Adviser for the Global Desk

We are looking for a passionate humanitarian and outstanding lawyer to join our Global Desk team as maternity cover for 6 months.

The Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre is an independent expert group that provides rapid and in-depth advice on the laws of war to ensure the protection of persons in conflict zones worldwide. 

As a group of experts, we share knowledge about and promote international law relevant for situations of armed conflict through research, advocacy, and training. Our rapid and in-depth analyses enable the humanitarian sector to respond to urgent needs and improves understanding and application of international law. 

The International Humanitarian Law Centre is part of the Swedish development organisation Diakonia and has regional teams based in Bamako, Beirut, Geneva, Jerusalem and Nairobi, which cover conflicts in the Middle East, West Africa, and emerging crises worldwide. 

The Global Desk sits within the International Humanitarian Law Centre. The Global Desk has a help-desk function, leads and coordinates core thematic projects, provides surge support to our context-specific desks and works on contexts where we do not have a physical presence. The Global Desk works with a range of stakeholders including arms bearers, UN (United Nations) mechanisms and treaty bodies, regional bodies, and inter-governmental organisations, as well as civil society and self-advocates. Our goal is to support and facilitate the inclusive interpretation, application and monitoring of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in conflict and post-conflict settings.  

Reporting to the Global Desk Manager, the Senior Legal Adviser will provide legal advice to humanitarian partners via our IHL Advisory Service. Responsibilities will include: 

In addition, they will also represent the Centre at national, regional, and international fora. In their work, they will appreciate the age, gender, and disability dynamics of armed conflict and take a gender-inclusive and intersectional approach.

The successful candidate will be a passionate humanitarian and outstanding lawyer. They will be a dynamic, yet pragmatic and strategic thinker, who is committed to strengthening the inclusive interpretation, application, and monitoring of international humanitarian law. They will be an assertive individual who has excellent time management and interpersonal skills. They will be a dedicated team player who will excel in a diverse and respectful team environment.

Location: This is a remote working position; candidates will need to be located within either the UK or the EU. Brussels is the preferred location. Candidates located in Sweden will have the opportunity to work from our Stockholm office. Candidates must have the right to work in the EU or the UK.

Position type and duration: This is a 6-month full-time consultancy to cover maternity leave for one of our team members.
Ideal start date: 1 October 2024.

The successful candidate will be provided with a consultancy fee based on level of experience and qualifications. Diakonia offers a competitive benefits package. 

If you have the essential experience and qualifications outlined for this position, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please submit your CV and one-page cover letter outlining your relevant experience, by 23 August 2024

If you have questions regarding the position or the recruitment process, please contact Alice Priddy at alice.priddy@diakonia.se . Please, DO NOT use this email to submit your CV.

The Centre is committed to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, and strives to be representative of all sections of society. We know that different perspectives, experiences, and competences are key for Diakonia to be a relevant, capable, and successful organisation. The Centre therefore strives to recruit staff with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.