Russian Justice Initiative (RJI) and Legal Assistance Organization “Astrea” conduct strategic litigation before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on behalf of victims of grave human rights abuses stemming from the second Chechen conflict and from post-conflict transition in the North Caucasus: disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture and unfair trials. By mid-2011 the organization had won 100 cases at the ECtHR concerning violations in Chechnya and Ingushetia, and was representing over 1250 clients in more than 250 cases pending before the ECtHR from Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria and Dagestan. Since 2008 RJI in partnership with the Tbilisi-based Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association has submitted over 35 cases of human rights violations stemming from the 2008 Georgia-Russia conflict to the European Court of Human Rights.

Job description: The ideal candidate shall have at least one year of professional experience in the human rights field; be committed to justice and respect for human rights; possess a high level of ethical awareness; be creative and able to work both independently and as a part of a team; a quick learner with a nuanced understanding of the human rights situation in the North Caucasus; capable of suggesting and implementing innovative approaches to providing legal redress to victims of human rights violations in the North and South Caucasus.

Start-date for the position is 15 February 2012 or sooner.