National Research Consultant – Sudan

Location: Remote

Contract Type: Consultancy Contract

Term: 12 months

 

Who are we?

Project Expedite Justice (PEJ) is a United States-based NGO with 501(c)(3) charitable organization status founded in 2016.

PEJ’s mission is to use all available legal options to seek justice for individuals who are inadequately protected under the law, who cannot access legal resources, and who are exploited by governments, corporations, or others.

PEJ applies a novel, victim-centered approach to addressing mass atrocities. PEJ’s three-step model includes training, mentoring, and providing independent legal consulting. We partner with and train local lawyers and investigators to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence according to international legal standards. Without evidence, there can be no accountability. We further build local capabilities and advance the justice process through case-specific mentoring and strategic guidance to local legal practitioners and investigators. Finally, we partner with local NGOs, pro bono law firms, and legal clinics to represent victims of international crimes and serious human rights abuses in court or alternative judicial mechanisms.

We have projects in various countries and are an inclusive team that includes people working remotely from many different places, including several countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the USA. We are deeply committed to increasing the opportunity for lawyers from the global majority or global south to participate in international Rule of Law-based non-profits. People from countries from the global majority are encouraged to apply for this role.

 

About the project: 

The Amplifying Survivors’ Voices in Sudan’s Transitional Justice Process project aims to promote and support truth, justice, reconciliation, and healing in Sudan by facilitating platforms for diverse stakeholders, especially women, and youth, to be supported as they develop the skills and knowledge to participate fully and contribute towards an inclusive and holistic national transitional justice agenda in Sudan. One of the objectives of the project is to increase the capacity of the cohort of Sudanese partners to understand and apply international standards of advanced evidence collection and documentation. The necessity for documentation of human rights violations has become particularly acute since the outbreak of hostilities between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15, 2023. The conflict has led to widespread violence and human rights violations against civilians, including indiscriminate attacks, blocking humanitarian aid, using explosive weapons in densely populated areas, arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, and unlawful killings. This activity aims to document human rights violations that have been committed in the context of the current hostilities.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Position

The National Research Consultant, under the overall supervision and strategic guidance of the Country Director and the daily coordination of the Activity Coordinator, will be responsible for:

• Participating in capacity-building activities, including training.
• Participating in assisting project partners in the establishment of investigation plans.
• Participating in providing mentoring and guidance to investigators.
• Reviewing reports submitted by investigators to identify gaps.
• Translating reports submitted by project partners, if necessary.
• Ensuring the secure archiving of evidence collected by partners.
• Performing such other tasks as the Activity Coordinator may assign.

The performance of the tasks of the assignments of this position may require travel to several countries in the region. Ability to travel on such missions is required.

The National Research Consultant will also participate as relevant in the following PEJ activities:

• Attending, facilitating, and contributing to PEJ organizational meetings.
• Contributing to concept development, proposal writing and other fundraising activities.
• Conducting research and drafting legal analysis memoranda on a variety of issues to support partners.
• Prepare drafts and provide input for regular reporting needs.
• Report and document all activities related to the project or the organization.

 

Qualifications

Applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:

Education: A university degree in law, international law, criminal investigation, police studies, social sciences, or related fields. An advanced university degree in the aforementioned fields is considered an asset.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• A minimum of (3) years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, international criminal law, or international humanitarian law is required.
• Fluency in both English and Arabic.
• A fair degree of knowledge of general principles of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
• Skills and ability to provide quantitative and qualitative analysis and assessment of evidence.
• Experience in training, advising, and mentoring human rights defenders.
  Ability to work independently and in high-pressure or complicated situations and with diverse and multinational teams.
• Technological awareness, willingness, and ability to learn new technology and work with technology relevant to the job.
• Knowledge of Sudanese culture, traditions, and customs.
• Substantial experience in the field of human rights investigation is an advantage.
• Availability to travel on mission as required.

 

How to Apply: 

Email recruitment@projectexpeditejustice.org with “Application: National Research Consultant – Sudan” in the subject line, and attach:

• CV (maximum of 2 pages)
• Writing sample
• 2 references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.