Job Description

Legal Consultant (Non-Profit) for Africa Initiatives
Overview: The Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice is retaining a legal practitioner as a consultant to support the provision of pro bono legal services to civil society organizations and promote the development of pro bono practice in sub-Saharan Africa.
Time Frame: Up to two years (initial timeframe 6 months with renewal up to 2 years in total)
Location: Remote work (must be based in Africa)
Start Date: October 2025, based on when consultant is chosen
Monthly Fee: Up to $2800/month based on experience and knowledge
Deadline for application: Applications will be considered when received until a qualified candidate is contracted.
Introduction
Established in 2004, the advances global justice by engaging lawyers across borders to support civil society and an ethically active legal profession. The Vance Center is a unique collaboration of in-house and private practice lawyers catalyzing public interest innovation to advance human rights and access to justice, protect the natural environment, promote the rule of law and institutional integrity, and support public interest reporting. A non-profit program of the New York City Bar Association, we bring together leading law firms and other partners worldwide to pioneer domestic and international justice initiatives and provide pro bono legal representation to social justice NGOs. In 2024, the Vance Center represented 174 clients in 235 matters, collaborating as co-counsel with 844 lawyers from 164 law firms across 69 countries.
Over two decades, the Vance Center has worked in sub-Saharan Africa to encourage and support lawyers to participate in public interest matters. It engages them in providing pro bono legal services to civil society organizations and in joining initiatives to advance fundamental rights and the rule of law. The Vance Center acts as a practitioner and convener, bringing together legal professionals from sub-Saharan Africa, as well as from the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, to collaborate in these efforts. It has developed active networks with lawyers, law firms, bar associations, and other legal organizations, as well as NGOs, to expand the legal community's pro bono engagement.
The Vance Center recruits private law firms from Africa and elsewhere in the world, including members of the Vance Center Committee, to co-counsel with our program staff who engage in substantive legal work, including legal research and analysis, advocacy, and litigation.
The Consultancy
The legal consultant, reporting to the Vance Center's Director, Africa Initiatives, will support and expand the Vance Center's work in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically the provision of pro bono legal services to civil society organizations and the development and institutionalization of pro bono legal practice.
Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the consultant will include, but not be limited to:

• Engage with law firms and other members of the legal community (bar associations, academia, etc.) in select countries in Africa in the development and institutionalization of pro bono legal practice.
• Research, draft, review, and edit reports and analyses on international and domestic laws for countries in Africa.
• Engage with CSOs in select countries in Africa to identify legal needs.
• Coordinate the participation of the Vance Center and African organizations in public events, including webinars, conferences, and panel discussions, as well as plan, organize, and manage in-person and hybrid events.
• Organize training, workshops, and legal needs assessments, including managing logistics and follow-up with participants.
• Draft materials for publication on program activities, cases, or current events.
• Draft program reports to grant makers
• Undertake specific administrative duties related to achieving the program's activities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Licensed to practice law in an African jurisdiction.
• At least five years of professional experience working as a lawyer in one or more civil society organizations, law firms, or legal advocacy organizations in Africa.
• Academic and/or practice experience with issues related to the rule of law, international human rights, and access to justice in sub-Saharan Africa, including the pro bono ecosystem.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legal challenges that grassroots civil society organizations and individuals face is highly valued.
• Active relationships with lawyers, bar associations, universities, legal regulatory and government institutions, journalists, and other stakeholders.
• Experience in advocacy or litigation before any of the Africa regional human rights mechanisms is a plus.
• Experience in relationship building, coordinating, organizing events, consultations, or multi-stakeholder engagements with participants from different locations.
• Ability to gather, synthesize, analyze, and present qualitative and quantitative data in various formats and genres, with excellent writing skills.
• Written and oral fluency in English. Fluency in French is highly desirable.
• Strong digital technology knowledge and skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality work under tight timeframes.

Terms of Retention
The Consultant will serve as an independent contractor of the Vance Center and be responsible for benefits and taxes related to payments received based on an independent contractor agreement. The consultancy does not provide any rights of employment in the candidate's country or the United States. The term of the consultancy is up to two years, with an initial six-month period. The work will be remote. Average weekly hours are expected to be in the range of 26-30, though the consultant will be free to set their own hours of work as they see fit.
Application instructions
Applications will be considered when received until a qualified candidate is contracted. To apply, please submit a resume, a cover letter, and a list of three references. References will only be contacted with your express permission. No phone calls, please.
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