ABA ROLI Legal Systems Advisor – Armenia

For over 30 years, and through our work in more than 100 countries, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has sought to strengthen legal institutions, support legal professionals, foster respect for human rights, and advance public understanding of the law and citizen rights. In collaboration with government agencies, the judiciary, lawyers, bar associations, legislatures, and civil society, we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges.

To learn more about our work in Armenia, please visit https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/rule_of_law/where_we_work/europe_eurasia/armenia/

Job Summary

ABA ROLI is seeking candidates for the position of Legal Systems Advisor for an anticipated project based in Yerevan, Armenia. The Legal Systems Advisor will be responsible for leading initiatives aimed at improving the legal and regulatory environment for human rights protection in Armenia. The Legal Systems Advisor will carry out baseline and regular analysis of the legal and regulatory frameworks for reporting human rights violations in Armenia as well as offer recommendations for improvement and compliance with international norms. The position will work with Government of Armenia (GoA) counterparts to support the development of anti-discrimination legislation and promotion of workplace policies on sexual harassment and labor rights violations. The LS Advisor will also oversee reporting of major progress in implementation of these components of the Program to the donor and other key stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have a broad understanding of human rights issues including labor rights protection, anti-discrimination, abolition of torture, trafficking in persons, child labor, and other gross violations of human rights. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate experience with engaging with diverse groups including women, LGBTQI+ individuals, displaced persons, and other underserved communities. Armenian citizens preferred. This position is subject to the availability of funds and pending USAID management approvals.

Principal Duties

• Provide strategic and technical leadership in program design, reflection, work planning, reporting, and other implementation touchpoints.
• Responsible for leading initiatives to 1. support the development and implementation of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law in Armenia, 2. improve the legal and regulatory framework for labor rights protections, and, 3. promote workplace policies that outline reporting procedures and consequences for sexual harassment and other labor rights violations.
• Ensure successful completion of deliverables and expected results with any needed pivots in program design due to evolving needs.
• Oversee baseline and regular analyses of existing legal frameworks in Armenia to protect human rights.
• Oversee technical integrity of program deliverables related to assigned objective.
• Ensure technical integrity of participant-facing program materials and donor-facing interim and final reports, and related technical deliverables.

Principal Qualifications

• Armenian nationals preferred.
• Excellent oral and written English language communication skills required.
• Bachelor or Graduate degree in international development, social science, business, law, human rights, communication, or related field.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience working on international donor-funded programs on human rights, marginalized communities’ rights, labor rights and anti-discrimination, business and human rights, civil society strengthening, advocacy, rule of law, access to justice, judicial independence, trial monitoring, strategic litigation, or similar topics.
• Experience with USAID-funded projects preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise staff.
• Knowledge and experience on gender, equality, and social inclusion.
• Good understanding of human rights-focused Armenian civil society organizations and networks, the Human Rights Defender’s Office, law schools, legal associations, judicial actors and entities, the private sector, and journalist organizations; familiarity with GoA functions, officials, and relevant offices.
• Solid communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and relation management skills and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining relationships and networks with national and municipal government institutions, HRDs, private sector, civil society organizations and networks, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.