Expert Legal Advisor

Position description

The Global Justice Center (GJC) is a feminist human rights organization started by the legendary reproductive rights advocate Janet Benshoof in 2005. The organization uses international law to advance gender equality, focused on two main areas: advancing reproductive autonomy as an international human right and ensuring justice for mass atrocities involving sexual and gender-based crimes.

The organization is known for its ability to develop novel legal arguments to advance gender equality and its strong partnerships with local and international civil society organizations. GJC’s legal team develops creative, far-reaching, and authoritative feminist legal analyses as the basis for establishing progressive legal precedents and strategic advocacy to achieve normative and systemic change.

GJC comprises a small, but mighty team of 10 professionals, most of whom are lawyers. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. GJC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or any other protected category.

Job Summary

GJC is hiring an Expert Legal Advisor who will provide advice on the organization’s development of legal theories and strategies to use international law to advance gender equality. The ideal candidate will be an experienced lawyer who has demonstrated expertise in feminist legal theory, gender analysis, and pioneering progressive interpretations of international law to advance gender equality. The candidate will have deep knowledge in international criminal, human rights, and humanitarian law, and top-notch analytical, research, writing, and editing skills.

The position may be based in the organization’s New York City office (works on a hybrid schedule, with three days a week in the office) or remotely, depending on the circumstances. The role may be conducted alongside academic or other professional roles so long as there is no conflict of interest. The role is part-time, with the time commitment to be determined with the candidate, likely to range from 15-30% time.

Reports to

Executive Director

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

Advises on GJC’s legal theories and strategies.

• Collaborates with GJC’s program team to scope out and develop new arguments and areas of work consistent with GJC’s mandate and commitment to progressive, innovative interpretation of international law to advance gender equality.
• Participates in program team meetings and retreats, including to support the team in developing positions on complex and emerging issues as well as strategic planning.
• Periodically provides legal and strategic advice on GJC’s existing work to use international law to advance gender equality, focused on reproductive autonomy as a human right and justice for mass atrocities involving sexual and gender-based harms.

Reviews briefs and other documents.

• Edits reports, UN submissions, amicus briefs, Q&As, press releases, and op-eds.

Skills/Experience/Qualifications

• A degree in law and admittance with good standing to a Bar.
• Minimum 12 years’ experience working in gender and international law, particularly criminal, humanitarian, and human rights law, and in feminist legal theory and gender analysis.
• Experience developing innovative feminist legal analysis to advance gender equality, ideally regarding reproductive autonomy and atrocities involving sexual and gender-based crimes.
• Expert editing skills, including those necessary to review legal briefs, opinions, UN submissions, and related policy and advocacy documents.
• Knowledge of contemporary international relations and of the UN system, in particular relating to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, human rights, and international justice.
• Advocacy experience (ideally working with a non-governmental organization), political astuteness, and excellent judgment.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.

Salary

Salary based on time commitment, but no less than $20,000, and commensurate with experience and expertise.

Benefits

• Unlimited paid medical/sick, personal, vacation, and bereavement leave
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity/adoption/fostering leave
• H-1B visa sponsorship

Application instructions

Please apply at https://forms.gle/iVJTb2zZ24wmv1dv8, where you will provide a CV, cover letter, and three references. You are required to have a Google account to fill out the form. If you do not have a Google account and are unable to create one, you may send these materials to [email protected].

The application deadline for this position is August 15, 2025, but candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.

If you are an applicant who requires a reasonable accommodation to apply for the Expert Legal Advisor position, please send an email to [email protected] with your request.

For more information about GJC, please visit www.globaljusticecenter.net.

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