Senior Legal Advisor on Crimes against and affecting children (CAAC) – GRC Child Justice Team

Global Rights Compliance (GRC) is an international legal foundation focused on bringing perpetrators to justice for atrocity crimes. We have a presence in the Hague, London, and Kyiv.
GRC in Ukraine works in support of the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) by deploying several Mobile Justice Teams (MJTs) including specialist teams, such as the Child Justice Team, which assist the OPG in all aspects of the investigation, case-building, and prosecution. The MJTs are a component of the UK, EU, and US’ Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, which assists the OPG by providing crime scene evidence collection and analysis and real-time advice on investigations and case building. Our headquarters for this project are in Kyiv, Ukraine.
GRC has been active in Ukraine since 2015 and is the only international organization to have maintained an uninterrupted presence in the country since hostilities began. GRC’s Ukraine team has, since 2015, acquired an intimate knowledge of the conflict operating environment, and built trust-based relationships with all criminal justice system actors, relevant governmental bodies, CSOs, and international partners.

DUTY STATION: The job will be based in Kiyv, Ukraine (remote, with travel to Ukraine can be considered as well).
CONTRACT DURATION: 3-month contract (with extension pending funding).

LOE: The position is full-time (part-time is possible as well).

OBJECTIVES
The Child Justice Team (CJT) is currently advising the Department for the Protection of Interests of Children and Combatting Violence (“Juvenile Justice Department” or “JJD”) and relevant Regional Prosecutors’ Offices (RPOs). Between September and December 2023, the CJT conducted an assessment of the JJD’s capacity to effectively prosecute and investigate, in line with international standards and best practice, core international crimes against and affecting children (“crimes against/affecting children” or “CAAC”) committed since 2014 and over which it has jurisdiction. The CJT is also engaged in investigation and case-building advice, support, and mentoring to the JJD and RPOs. Through continued support to the OPG, the CJT has gained valuable insights and solid understanding to continue supporting and assisting the JJD with the next steps in this process of implementing recommendations in a meaningful and professional manner.
The CJTs thematic work on CAAC is expanding and GRC is seeking a highly motivated Senior Legal Advisor with relevant CAAC experience to lead the CJT and provide legal expertise, advice, and support. Alongside other CJT members, the Senior Legal Advisor will be responsible for establishing and maintaining local contacts, relationships, situational awareness, and opportunities for cooperation with investigative and prosecution agencies working on CAAC, as well as other relevant national and international stakeholders.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the activities of the CJT aimed at supporting the JJD in the process of implementing recommendations to promote child-friendly justice.
• Provide ongoing legal advice, support, and mentorship to the Ukrainian prosecutorial authorities.
• Promote CAAC’s specialization in the engagement with investigative and prosecutorial agencies in Ukraine.
• Promote the adoption of child-sensitive practices in investigative and prosecutorial authorities engaged in CAAC cases.
• Maintain and develop working relationships with key persons and units within the investigative and prosecutorial agencies working on CAAC.
• Coordinate with other MJTs to ensure a child-sensitive approach is mainstreamed throughout all activities.
• Develop and deliver workshops/trainings on CAAC and child-friendly justice.
• Identify opportunities or requirements on CAAC investigations/prosecutions for MJTs, external partners/donors’ involvement in capability building, and facilitate cooperation with them as appropriate.
• Record and report Child Justice Team activities and achievements in line with MJT procedures.

ATTRIBUTES

• 8+ years of cumulative legal experience in CAAC, child rights violations, and integration of child-sensitive approaches into international core crimes, including child-friendly justice frameworks.
• Experience in the investigation and/or prosecution of international crimes, including CAAC.
• Ability to work effectively with the whole range of criminal justice actors.
• Flexible and creative; able to work in an unstructured, changeable & fast-moving environment.
• Not requiring detailed guidance; can be given a ‘desired outcome’ and identify the actions required to reach it.
• Administratively competent, punctual, and organized
• Practical experience in working with high volumes of sensitive material and with the requisite skills for collating, sharing, and working with such material.
• Fluent in English.
• Experience working in a post-Soviet country / legal system (desired).
• Competency in Ukrainian or Russian (desired).