LEGAL TRAINEE

The ERRC opens a two-year legal traineeship and seeks a legal trainee to assist in litigating Roma rights, ethnic/race discrimination and related cases in domestic, European and international tribunals and to organise training sessions for Central and East European lawyers in public interest litigation strategies and techniques.

The legal trainee programme is designed to provide young lawyers with the training and skills needed to launch a career in litigation and related legal advocacy on rights issues affecting Roma communities. The traineeship is term-limited and runs for two years. Based in Budapest, the trainee will work with the legal team under supervision of one or more of its lawyers to assist in developing and implementing legal strategy, handling selected cases, drafting amicus curiae briefs and legal submissions to domestic and international tribunals, working with lawyers, judges, human rights organisations and other relevant institutions. The trainee may also be involved in legislative and policy review and drafting, advocacy and lobbying, as well as training and public education on legal issues. The trainee will also provide appropriate substantive input into research reports, donor reports and funding proposals. In addition to the practical experience offered through side-by-side training with ERRC legal staff, trainees may be supported in their efforts to gain bar admission in their country of origin.

Essential Requirements:

law degree (preferably from a country within the Council of Europe region);
a demonstrable commitment to human rights;
an understanding of human rights norms and their enforcement mechanisms at the regional and international levels, including familiarity with the European Convention and Court of Human Rights, European Social Charter and Committee of Social Rights, and UN Treaty bodies;
knowledge of Roma rights related issues in Europe;
ability to deal with time pressure and a demanding work environment;
ability to work within a team;
willingness to learn;
working knowledge of English, including ability to draft legal documents in English; and
significant experience living in or working with Romani communities.

Preferred:

proficiency in Romani language and/or other language(s) of European countries with a significant Roma population;
masters degree in human rights law or a related field;
knowledge of legal systems of Central/Eastern Europe;
prior work experience with public interest organisations focusing on human rights.

Renumeration Package:

two-year contract with an annual salary of EUR 18k gross - paid in HUF;
ERRC also offers a fringe benefit package.

Start Date:

as soon as possible.

Application Deadline:

10 April 2010.

Application Procedure:

To apply for this traineeship, please send the following as attachments:

a letter of interest (up to 500 words);
a full CV;
an unedited writing sample in English on a relevant topic;
the names and contact details of two referees.

Candidates should submit their documents via email to Csilla M Farkas at csilla.farkas@errc.org. The message should be entitled: Legal Trainee Position Search.

Applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted in the course of the selection process.

The ERRC is committed to equal opportunity for all. Romani candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.