The American Bar Association’s (ABA) Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI) is recruiting for a short-term expert in human rights and migration to inform and conduct a legal and policy assessment of the institutional responses to human rights in the context of the migration crises in Colombia. Specifically, the expert will provide support to ABA ROLI for an analysis of how the existing legal and policy structures of the institutions in Colombia, including the government, civil society and local communities work to prevent, protect and respond to the human rights violations of Venezuelan migrants, Colombian returnees, and the receiving communities. The legal and policy assessment will inform ABA ROLI’s program in Colombia to support a transition from short-term humanitarian assistance for migrants to long-term development assistance for migrants, Colombian returnees, and receptor communities. The program aims to strengthen local systems, processes, and the capacity of the Government of Colombia (GOC) and non-state actors, such as those in civil society, academia, the media and the private sector to respond to the human rights violations of the targeted groups in the context of the migration crises in Colombia.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Identify, assess, and analyze the institutional needs and challenges of the Government of Colombia (GOC) and non-state actors, such as those in civil society, academia, the media and the private sector to prevent, protect and respond to the human rights violations of the targeted groups in the context of the migration crises in Colombia.
Identify strategic entry points for engagement with government institutions to support inter-institutional collaboration, as well as collaboration with non-state actorsion to strengthen the institutional mechanisms to prevent, protect and respond to the human rights violations of the targeted groups.
Provide input on key takeaways and findings of the assessment, including notes from assessment activities, to inform ABA ROLI’s development of an assessment report.
Basic Requirements
Juris doctorate or recognized foreign law school, or an Advanced degree (U.S. or foreign) with 7-10 years’ experience in a relevant field, including law, human rights, migration policies, political, cultural and/or civil society development.
Strong legal background, preferable with experience practicing in Colombia or analyzing Colombian laws and policies.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the issues driving migration to, and within Colombia, and the roles of government institutions, civil society, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders for improving the political, legal and social responses to human rights and citizen security.
Fluency in Spanish and Intermediate English (B1/B2)
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with justice sector institutions and/or civil society organizations in Colombia on access to justice, human rights, governance and related litigation.
How to apply:
Interested applicants can submit their applications to lac-recruitment@abaroli.org