JOB DESCRIPTION

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT

(AIIS)

JOB TITLE International Justice in Africa Fellow

PROGRAMME Research and Advocacy Programme, Africa Advocacy Team

LOCATION Nairobi or Dakar

JOB PURPOSE
Amnesty’s International Justice in Africa Fellowship scheme seeks to enhance diversity of
representation in the field of international justice by offering an opportunity to young
African professionals (early to mid-career practitioners and scholars) based in Africa to
work on international justice issues and mechanisms. Selected fellows will benefit from
knowledge, skills and experience transfer, practical exposure to international justice
spaces and forums, and the opportunity to engage and network with a variety of relevant
actors and stakeholders in the international justice movement. Selected fellows will
participate in research, legal analysis, policy discourse and campaigning projects relating
to international justice.

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE
Research and Advocacy Programme, Africa Advocacy Team
Part of the Research, Advocacy and Policy Directorate, the Africa Advocacy Team is
Amnesty International’s focal point for engagement with Africa’s regional and sub-
regional intergovernmental institutions and human rights bodies. Through integrated
approaches, the Team works towards influencing decisions and policies on human rights
issues by relevant regional institutions and governments in Africa.
International Justice Team (IJ Team)
The IJ team is Amnesty International’s core team that leads on international justice matters,
focusing on standard-setting, accountability for crimes under international law,
strengthening of domestic and international accountability legal frameworks and
accountability mechanisms.
AIIS PURPOSE
The IS, which operates from a number of sites around the world, gathers and
communicates accurate and action-oriented human rights information globally. We
campaign for meaningful human rights change; enable effective human rights activism
and work to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights
standards. We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the AI movement
globally, fostering AI’s contribution, presence and public accountability throughout the
world.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Reporting to Africa Regional Advocacy Coordinator
Posts this job manages This job has no line management responsibilities
Other key relationships Deputy Programme Director, Law and Policy; Legal Advisor
(Africa); Head of Office, Centre for International Justice, The Hague; Directors and Deputy
Directors, Africa Regional Offices.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Duration: The International Justice in Africa Fellowship is a nine-months program.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assist with research activities on accountability for crimes under
international law in Africa and elsewhere, including conducting desk
research, interviews and drafting research outputs.
• Assist with monitoring and analysis of international and regional developments on
international justice issues.
• Assist with developing advocacy positions and strategies on identified priorities
relating to international justice.
• Participate and contribute to relevant internal and external policy discussions
pertaining to international justice issues and mechanisms.
• Participate, as required, in meetings with officials affiliated with international
justice institutions, governments and intergovernmental bodies.
• Participate, as required, in field research missions and contribute to the delivery
of high-quality analysis of crimes under international law and other serious
human rights violations and abuses.
• Assist with trial monitoring in relevant courts or tribunals, including the
International Criminal Court.
• Support the production of advocacy materials and organization of events or
campaign activities, including during the Day of International Criminal Justice or
sessions of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute.
• Act as a point of contact for internal and external interlocutors, process incoming
inquiries and, as appropriate, respond to inquiries from other teams and
programmes, the membership and the public.
• Assist in developing, mobilising or strengthening linkages and partnerships with
civil society organizations working on accountability for crimes under
international law in Africa and elsewhere.
• Participate in the development of strategies and project plans in order to ensure
delivery of AI’s priorities.

WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN THIS JOB?

• A successful fellow will have deepened their technical expertise to engage in
research and legal analysis in international justice, contribute to relevant policy
discourses and begin to develop thought leadership.
• Success would also entail active participation in international justice spaces,
platforms and forums and seizing of those opportunities to develop networks and
linkages.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

 • Good knowledge of and experience in the application of international law,
including international human rights law, humanitarian law, international
criminal law is essential.
• Ability to analyze accurately legal issues and apply legal reasoning in
pursuit of developing a strategic response.
• Ability to gather and process human rights-related information/related.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely (without the need for significant
editorial revision) and proof-read research, campaign and advocacy
materials.
• Ability to express ideas clearly orally and in writing and communicate
complex issues with sensitivity to the audience.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills.
• Ability to use sound judgment and initiative, solve problems and provide
constructive inputs.
• Experience of working collaboratively in a team and understanding of the
importance of efficient communications for the coordination and effective
functioning of teams.
• Understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender issues
as well as commitment to apply relevant policies.
• Demonstrable personal commitment to subverting patriarchy, power
differentials and marginalisation.
• Outstanding written and verbal English is essential. Fluency in written and
spoken French is desirable.

HOW WE WORK – OUR BEHAVIOURS:

Our organisational culture; which essentially represents how we behave, our working relationships and
our ability to collaborate as a movement, underpins everything we do and is pivotal to the success of our
impact. Our five behaviours form the basis of the type of culture we want to have in Amnesty:

• Accountable - I consistently strive to reach my goals in a thorough, timely way that I can be
proud of, and I re-empower others to do the same.
• Considerate - I support my colleagues, and try to find out what motivates them to do their
best, and what pressures they are under, so that I can consider this when we work together.
• Creative - I continuously look for new and creative solutions and encourage others’ ideas so
that we can adapt and succeed in an ever-changing and uncertain global environment
• Decisive - I make sound judgements within my work so that a project or activity can progress
with pace and confidence.
• Respectful - I treat my colleagues with equality and dignity, and assume they have integrity. I
value the different perspectives of my colleagues as well as my own and show them that their
contributions and expertise matter.
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff are expected to work collectively and
individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds,
where the work of others is valued and respected.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or
other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with Amnesty International’s
principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent
the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the
candidate from being appointed.