Overview
The Legal Officer will prepare case files, provide legal and policy advice, and conduct legal research and analysis for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepares or coordinates actions with the Senior Legal Officer for Collections and Analysis.
- Provides legal and policy advice on the preparation of case files and evidentiary modules.
- Assesses whether evidence collected proves the elements of offences and meets legal requirements.
- Contributes to legal work of the section, including the preparation of case files and evidentiary modules.
- Coordinates and directs the work of other legal officers, analysts and investigators.
- Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of legal documents to be shared with national authorities.
- Serves as a legal focal point for investigation related issues.
- Attends in-house briefings, plans meetings and renders advice as necessary.
- Assesses the IIMA's investigative priorities.
- Identifies avenues of investigation and conducts interviews of witnesses and suspects.
- Provides legal advice to the Head, and staff of the IIMA on diverse substantive and procedural legal issues.
- Performs extensive legal research and analysis and prepares legal opinions, briefs, reports and correspondence.
- Performs other assignments as requested.
Required Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible legal experience is required. At least five (5) years of experience in international criminal law is desirable. Experience working in a domestic or International Criminal Tribunal is desirable. Experience drafting or reviewing indictments (or the equivalent) is desirable. Legal work experience in relation to the Afghan context is desirable. Experience prosecuting sexual and gender-based crimes is desirable. Experience addressing conflict-related crimes against children is desirable.
Qualifications
A first level university degree and an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law, criminal law or international criminal law. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. The candidate must have been admitted to practice law in a national system.
