Access to Justice Specialist at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Access to Justice Specialist

Requisition ID: req39637
Location: Abuja (FCT), Nigeria
Sector: Violence Prevention and Response
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Job Overview / Summary

• The Access to Justice Specialist will lead the IRC’s new Access to Justice initiative – funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) – from April 2023 – March 2025, responsible for the implementation of all key objectives and deliverables of this initiative including technical, programmatic, financial and administrative responsibilities.
• The Access to Justice Specialist will be based within the Violence Prevention and Response Unit (VPRU)’s Strategy and Learning Team which focuses on the development and testing of innovative programme models and approaches; development of programming tools, guidance, curriculum and other resources; the generation of evidence through research and learning; and evidence-based advocacy to influence policy and practice in the field of violence prevention and response. 

Major Responsibilities
Project Management, Oversight and Coordination: 

• Manage the access to justice project, providing oversight of all programmatic, financial and administrative activities and deliverables.  
• Establish a core project team and initiate mechanisms for regular collaboration and coordination across VPRU. 
• Actively work with relevant IRC country and headquarters staff to identify project pilot countries.
• Oversee piloting in all three pilot country locations, ensuring effective implementation and coordination. 

Learning and Impact:

• Establish two project advisory groups and ensure ongoing coordination between the advisory groups and all core project team members.
• Develop and manage a Community of Practice (CoP) and support stakeholders within this space to contribute to and support key project resources and learnings.
• Package and disseminate the growing evidence base, learning, and good practices on relevant internal (Kaya Connect, IRC.org; RescueNet) and external platforms (GPC Website). 
• Ensure dissemination, through the CoP and the project’s Advisory Groups of key project resources and learnings.
• Document evidence and learning from pilot locations.
• Ensure the production of quality knowledge management products (including but not limited to case studies, resource package and training materials) of the project. 
• Document and share learning internally to support better access to justice in crisis program design – linking to EHAU Protection in Emergency conversations, coordinating regularly with the Violence Prevention and Response in Emergencies (VPRiE) Specialist.

Dissemination and External Representation:

• Lead IRC’s external representation for the project, including ensuring continued coordination and collaboration with external stakeholders within the relevant global humanitarian architecture and also representative organisations and local and national partners.
• Participate in external working groups, inter-agency task forces and academic conferences that focus on access to justice to improve practice, shape policies and build new and innovative approaches.
• Present IRC research findings from pilots across contexts and relevant external conferences and events.

Grant Management:

• Track and update a workplan and spending plan for successful implementation of the Project, in coordination with the Senior Technical Advisor – Technical Innovations, STA Protection and Rule of Law, and nominated Grant Management lead.
• Contribute to programmatic donor reports, communications, and participate in meetings/calls as needed to keep the donor apprised of program progress.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: Senior Technical Advisor – Technical Innovations, Strategy and Learning Team, Violence Prevention and Response Unit (VPRU)
• Position directly supervises: N/A
• Regular internal (IRC) contact with: Fellow members of the Strategy and Learning Team including the STA for Technical Innovations, STA for Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) as well as PRoL, WPE, CP Technical Advisors for focal countries; IRC country program staff in selected pilot countries; Nominated MEL Advisor; EHAU Violence Prevention and Response in Emergencies (VPRiE) team.
• Regular external contact with:  Key access to justice external stakeholders as well as engagement with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Personal Specification
Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s / Post-graduate Degree in Law or related field (international Law, Human Rights Law, Judicial Reform, Security Sector Reform, International Development, Public Policy, International Relations or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Language: For this position, fluent oral and written English is essential. Ability to work in French or Arabic is highly desirable due to operating context of East Africa & West Africa. 

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years professional experience (of which 3 years should be practical experience) in implementing and/or leading Protection & Rule of Law or Access to Justice programs is required, preferably within a humanitarian, international development setting. 
• Experience working with formal and informal justice systems e.g., courts, legal aid, prosecutors, police, paralegals, and traditional justice leaders.
• Experience in elaborating strategic documents and conducting research.
• Experience in stakeholder coordination, activity design and delivery, training, and facilitation Experience: 
• Expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

Working Environments

• Some international travel (including to insecure environments) as needed up to 25%.  When deployed, will stay in IRC approved accommodation which may include shared guesthouses.
• If home based: This role can be based remotely, with candidates working remotely full or part time (i.e., telecommuting). Applicants must have a home or alternate workspace they can effectively complete their work during regularly scheduled work hours. Home-work location must be in state and/or country where IRC is a registered employer.
• This position is required to have a flexible work-day hours to accommodate varying time zones to complete required tasks and coordination functions.
• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
• We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
• This project is made possible with the generous support of the Swedish International Development Agency.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online