Legal Officer, Justice Section - Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division

Reference: 120800420
Location: London, UK | Salary: £46,268 per annum gross
Closing Date: 31 Oct 2012

Job Summary

The Legal Officer will generally provide support and assistance to the Justice Section team in the assessment of needs and delivery of appropriate programmes of assistance to Commonwealth countries in support of reforming justice systems including the training of the judiciary and court support staff, promoting the establishment of juvenile justice systems, the reduction of detained persons awaiting trial and promoting access to justice initiatives within those justice systems. Specifically, under the guidance of the Head of Section, the Legal officer will be responsible for delivering collaborative programmes with a discrete gender, youth, or small states focus.
The Legal Officer will also undertake research, prepare legal opinions, and provide in-house legal advice as required and assist in fulfilling one of the primary functions of the division in providing legal information to member countries.
Duties include:

• Assisting or undertaking the conduct of needs assessment missions upon requests from Commonwealth member states for assistance to support the judiciary, the courts, reforms in justice sectors, and law reform.
• Delivering collaborative programmes on access to justice with a discrete gender, youth, or small states focus.
• Undertaking legal research and provide legal advice to the Secretariat.
• Preparing papers for meetings of Commonwealth Law Ministers and Senior Officials and assist in servicing the meetings
• Undertaking any other duties as required to achieve objectives of the Justice Section and the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division.

Qualifications and Work Experience

• Law Degree
• Desirable: Masters Degree in law
• A minimum of five to eight years post-admission experience as a lawyer in Government, the private sector, or in an international organisation.
• Experience in implementing rule of law programmes in a development context.
• Desirable: Experience in designing, developing, and managing rule of law programmes. 

About the Justice Section - Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division 

The Justice Section of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division focuses on the design and delivery of programmes of assistance to Commonwealth member countries aimed at reforming justice systems, including the training of the judiciary and court support staff, promoting the establishment of juvenile justice systems, the reduction of detained persons awaiting trial, promoting access to justice initiatives within those justice systems, and strengthening democratic processes and good governance. In addition, the Justice Section works in areas relevant to Constitutions and electoral laws, administrative law and law reform.

The Section also contributes to the planning and servicing of Commonwealth meetings of Law Ministers and Attorneys General and Senior Officials, provision of in-house legal advice, and providing information to member countries.

Further Information

How to apply
Apply online

Job Description for Legal Officer, Justice Section - Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division