Legal Officer– Middle East Programme

ABOUT LAW

Founded in 2013, Legal Action Worldwide is an independent non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers and jurists, united in our belief that those who have experienced grave human rights violations and international crimes, should receive targeted, survivor-centred, gender-competent, and trauma-informed support to access the justice they deserve.

LAW’s teams work in/on conflict-affected and fragile contexts across 18 countries including South Sudan, Sudan, Tigray, Somalia, Lebanon, Syria, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Palestine, and Myanmar, combining national and international expertise to provide legal redress to the most vulnerable. LAW undertakes creative accountability strategies, including strategic litigation at national, regional and international levels. In 2024 and 2025, we secured more than 250 favourable decisions at national, regional and international courts. Alongside this, we provide technical assistance to strengthen justice institutions to ensure they are equipped to uphold the rule of law and promote accountability.

Our vision: A world where all victims and survivors have access to justice, so that impunity is not a barrier to sustainable peace.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a talented and driven Legal Officer to join our work in the Middle East. In this role, you will play a key role in advancing impactful strategic litigation initiatives, contributing to meaningful human rights outcome. You will support in-depth investigations, produce high quality legal memoranda, and arguments, to help shape effective legal strategies. Working closely with partners, you will also contribute to the delivery of joint legal initiatives, ensuring collaboration is smooth and results driven.

MORE ABOUT THE POSITION

Where? The position will be based at LAW’s Geneva Office in Switzerland. You must have the right to work in Switzerland.

Duration: 12 Months on a full-time basis with possibility of extension subject to funding.

Salary: CHF 75,780 – CHF 77,052 gross a year (based on experience) plus benefits.

Start Date: June 2026

You will also perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below:

Legal:

• Support the initiation and development of LAW’s litigation across international human rights and humanitarian law, supporting LAW’s Middle East and Litigation teams.
• Deliver analysis on domestic, regional, and international legal frameworks to inform litigation strategies and case development.
• Drafting of legal documents, including submissions, briefs, amici curae, and evidence for relevant mechanisms, including courts (national, regional, international) and mechanisms handling complaints.
• Support the Team in developing strategies for investigating international crimes and human rights violations in the Middle East.
• Conduct open-source research into specific incidents that could amount to international crimes or human rights violations. Monitor open sources for possible leads in new and ongoing investigations and casework.

• Ensure that a gender proactive, trauma informed and survivor-led approach is embedded in case strategies and the practical implementation of litigation initiatives.

• Build engagement with partner organisations, clients, and external stakeholders to support case coordination and information sharing.
• Support and contribute to the design and implementation of advocacy strategies that complement and reinforce litigation objectives.
• Monitor and track developments in relevant legal and policy areas, identifying opportunities for strategic litigation and impact.
• Support internal coordination within the legal team, including case management, documentation, and knowledge sharing across LAW's diverse portfolio of cases.
• Supporting the overall implementation of LAW’s Middle East focused projects.
• Facilitating high-level advocacy events, liaising with panellists, preparing concept notes, agendas, talking points, and flyers and circulating all to participants.
• Organising meeting, assisting with preparing agendas and note-taking.
• Supporting other activities as indicated by the Programme Manager.

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor's degree in law, criminal justice, human rights or international law.
• Minimum of 4 years demonstrated experience in litigating human rights, humanitarian law, or international criminal law.
• Minimum of 4 years demonstrated experience investigating human rights violations or international crimes. Experience as an investigator within an international tribunal or mechanism is desirable.
• Strong understanding of gender perspectives in armed conflict and fragile security contexts.
• Demonstrated experience working with partners on litigation initiatives.
• Experience in case preparation and development, including investigation, case strategy, legal drafting to an excellent standard.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
  
• Fluency in English and Arabic is highly desirable.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the context in the Middle East and implications for justice and accountability.
  
• Familiarity with the volatile and unpredictable nature of working in conflict environments.
  

HOW TO APPLY

Are you passionate about supporting survivors and delivering tangible results? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please click on the link below to apply.

HR Bamboo Link: https://legalactionworldwide.bamboohr.com/careers/94

Deadline for Applications: 9 a.m. Geneva time on 30th April 2026.

At LAW we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately.

LAW’s website 🔗 Learn more at: www.legalactionworldwide.org