The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) is the international coordinator and support provider for its 186 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Among the key missions of the IFRC and its members is to save lives, protect livelihoods and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises around the world. Crucial to fulfilling this role is the dedicated assistance of millions of volunteers around the world.
2011 marks the tenth anniversary of the “International Year of Volunteers” and in commemoration of this landmark, the IFRC is undertaking a number of initiatives in relation to volunteers and their role. One such initiative is to provide support to its member national societies in regard to legal issues surrounding volunteerism. This “Volunteer Law Project” has two sub-components: the first is to prepare a toolkit for use by national societies, which is envisaged as a concise document, consisting of a checklist of the legal issues related to volunteers, and highlighting some cases of best practice; the second is an assessment of specific legal issues that impact volunteering in emergencies, by means of research and the preparation of a legal case study report. Work is currently already underway in regard to both sub-projects.
The Legal Consultant is expected to work with the Senior Legal Officer responsible for the Volunteer Law Project, in both providing the daily running of the Project as well as in developing procedures and tools to assure implementation of the Project.
The Legal Consultant is accountable to the Legal Counsel for delivering services in a professional and timely manner, and for ensuring a high standard of quality of the work output.
Timeline: This consultancy will commence early June 2011, to be completed by 30 September 2011.
Key tasks and responsibilities
1 Be able to provide the following: • Expertise in relation to legal issues that impact volunteering • General principles of Not-for profit law • General legal practice areas (including general contract law, employment law, tax law, tort law etc) • In depth research and analysis of laws related to volunteering • International and comparative legal analysis
The Legal Consultant, supported by the senior legal officer will be expected to translate this knowledge in law into deliverables such as the toolkit, as well as an in-depth legal case study report.
2 Under the technical direction of the Legal Counsel: • Liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders (in house, as well as with national societies) to assure the progress of the Project • Liaise and build on partnerships with other volunteer based organizations as well as the United Nations etc. • Provide technical and substantive input into the toolkit and case studies • Represent the legal department in preparations related to the International Conference and General Assembly, in regard to this Project • Oversee finalization of the case studies and toolkit, including publication • Oversee electronic tools and resources for information dissemination in regard to the Project
3 Monitor legal information and developments in relation to the Project.
4 Perform any other job-related tasks as assigned by the Senior Legal Officer and Legal Counsel.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
A university degree in law required. (required)
Specialized studies in public international law, international organization law, or not-for-profit law preferred. (preferred) Experience
2 to 3 years of prior experience in the practice of law is required. (required)
Experience in an in- house legal environment or law firm is highly preferred. (preferred) Red Cross/Red Crescent experience or other legal research project experience welcomed. (preferred) Sensitivity in and prior exposure to cross-cultural situations required. (required) Experience in dealing with project partners preferred. (preferred) Experience working in a team environment, with remote team members important. (preferred) Skills/knowledge
Knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. (preferred) Ability to work in English required. (required) Working knowledge of other Federation official languages highly welcomed (i.e. French, Spanish or Arabic). (preferred) Familiarity with word processing and the Internet. (required) General knowledge of international affairs required. (required)
Applications should be addressed to Ms. Priya Pillai, Senior Legal Officer, Legal Department, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at priya.pillai@ifrc.org
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