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LEGAL ADVISOR
VACANCY: Committed and hands-on EU Legal Advisor for newly
established human rights help desk.
At RECLAIM, we are passionately committed to upholding human rights and democracy across Europe. We support human rights defenders at the forefront of this battle in leveraging EU-law for their protection and effective action.
We're now embarking on a rather ambitious and vitally important project: the establishment of a specialized EU Legal Help Desk which will be crucial in promoting LGBTQI rights and reinforcing the rule of law in the EU. To get this running we are looking for a capable and enthusiastic EU law expert to lead the charge. This isn't merely a role about dispensing legal advice; it's about creating and nurturing a pivotal resource that will be instrumental in empowering LGBTQI, anti-corruption and rule of law activists across Europe.
Your tasks will be:
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Identifying strategic litigation openings at the EU level.
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Guiding European LGBTQI and rule of law groups in their CJEU litigation efforts, from argument formulation to legal complaint drafting before the EU.
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Conducting detailed legal research, craft briefings and other materials to inform EU Member States and institutions’ participation in CJEU cases.
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Monitoring national legal trends and cases, particularly those affecting LGBTQI communities and rule of law principles.
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Maintaining consistent dialogue with rule of law and human rights NGOs at a Member States level to enhance awareness of strategic litigation openings at the EU level.
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Assisting RECLAIM’s director and local groups in formulating advocacy strategies to bolster political support for CJEU cases and infringement procedures.
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Helping the Director align litigation efforts with RECLAIM’s advocacy goals, advising on strategies to leverage legal proceedings for broader policy impact.
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Establishing connections with external legal firms to arrange pro-bono support when needed.
Qualifications:
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Master's or ongoing PhD degree in law, specializing in EU law.
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Pro-EU orientation with a passion for the Union’s processes, policies, and culture.
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Fluency in English, C2 level or equivalent.
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Demonstrated concern with human rights and rule of law backsliding in the EU.
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Sound political judgment and diplomacy skills.
Preferred:
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Prior work or internship experience in an EU institution or law firm specialized in EU law.
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Experience drafting complex legal documents, such as legal opinions, litigation files, and policy drafts, for public authorities or law firms.
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Expertise in EU law areas including the EU Common Provision Regulation, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF), the Financial Regulation, the Conditionality Regulation, and familiarity with the EU Charter for Fundamental Rights. Knowledge of EU sanctions law will be an added advantage.
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Experience with civil society engagement and hands-on experience with advancing human rights
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Proficiency in Hungarian, Italian, or Slovak is beneficial.
We Offer:
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Salary: This open-ended contract position offers an annual gross salary between €3,400 to €3,700 per month, with 12 monthly payments and additional holiday pay in May. Benefits include meal vouchers, professional development funding, extra year-end days off, and partial public transport cost reimbursement. Tax benefits are available for individuals with dependents or an unemployed partner.
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Workplace Culture: Enjoy flexible working arrangements with the option to work remotely 2-3 days a week in Belgium or telework from another EU Member State for up to 25% of your time. Our welcoming office, located in the heart of Brussels at the Mundo Madou building - a hub for NGOs - is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Join us in making a difference:
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Send your CV, a concise cover letter (max 300 words) detailing your interest and potential contribution to RECLAIM to ane.sommer@reclaiming.eu with esther.martinez@reclaiming.eu in copy by 31 January 2024.
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Selected candidates will be invited for an interview and a written assessment.
About RECLAIM
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RECLAIM is a civil rights NGO funded in 2019. We aim to defend democracy and human rights in Europe by supporting civil rights groups, anti-corruption activists, judges, and independent media. To achieve our goals, we engage in a range of activities and employ various methods. These include documenting attacks on fundamental rights, engaging in EU litigation and advocacy, providing training and capacity-building, facilitating networks and partnerships, and amplifying grassroots voices.
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At RECLAIM, we recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving lasting change. We work closely with grassroots organizations and activists, amplifying their voices and supporting their efforts to protect human rights and democracy. RECLAIM is in the midst of an exciting period of growth in both national and international activities. Come join us!
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