Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute Seeks Applications for Legal Fellow on the Project on Accountability and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic 

(Postdoctoral Research Scholar)

The Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute (HRI) invites applications for the position of Legal Fellow with the Project on Advancing Reconciliation and Accountability through Forensic Investigations in the Central African Republic. This project seeks to advance the practice and use of forensic sciences to further human rights and support the right of families to truth, accurate historical record, and dignified burials. 

We seek a strategic and creative legal advocate and researcher committed to working with local advocates, communities, and stakeholders in the Central African Republic (CAR). The Legal Fellow will conduct fact-finding, legal and policy research and analysis, and assist with organizing and providing training and workshops. The Fellow will work closely with a variety of stakeholders in CAR and internationally, including directly affected people, civil society groups, forensic experts, judges, and lawyers. The work involves significantly contributing to donor relations and grant activity reporting. You will also contribute to the general work of HRI through event planning in relation to the project and student mentorship. You will be provided with mentorship to undertake increasing responsibility for the project. The position will be filled as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar and will run until July 2020 (with the possibility of an extension contingent on additional funding). 

The Human Rights Institute advances international human rights through education, fact-finding, research, and scholarship. We work in partnership with advocates, communities, and organizations to develop and strengthen the human rights legal framework and mechanisms, promote justice and accountability for human rights violations, and build and amplify collective power. 

Qualifications:

• Applicants must have a law degree (JD, LLB, LLM, BCL, license en droit, or licenciado en derecho, etc. will be considered);
• A deep commitment to rigorous, pragmatic, creative, and self-reflective social justice and human rights work;
• Commitment to carrying out interdisciplinary work, and ability to work closely with others from the disciplines of forensic science;
• Commitment to and experience working in partnership with communities, activists, and stakeholders in countries particularly affected by armed conflict, and commitment to a rightsholder-centered approach to human rights advocacy;
• Knowledge of and experience in human rights fact-finding techniques;
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, and oral and written communication skills;
• 0-3 years of experience in the legal field; and 
• Fluency in English and French. Fluency in Spanish, Arabic, and/or Sango would also be beneficial.

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The position likely involves travel to CAR. 

To Apply

Applications are open now and will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications should include: (1) a letter of interest, describing the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a law school transcript; (4) the names of no more than three references. Please upload all of your application materials here.

We strongly value diversity and encourage applications from persons living and/or educated outside the United States, people of color, LGBTQI persons, women, and persons with disabilities.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer —Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran.