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Field Investigator and Security Expert - Conservation and Indigenous Peoples Project

Location: Remote 

Contract type: Consultancy contract 

Compensation: Commensurate with experience 

Term: 3 months, with possible extension 

Deadline for applying: March 20. We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible and will review applications on a rolling basis. 



I. About Project Expedite Justice (“PEJ”)


PEJ, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was founded in 2016 by Cynthia Tai, a former prosecutor in the U.S. and at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. With an increase in mass atrocities worldwide, PEJ believes now more than ever that there is an overwhelming need to empower local populations seeking justice. By partnering with local organizations, we train lawyers, investigators, and human rights defenders to have the skills necessary to collect and preserve evidence in a manner that meets international legal standards.


Together, PEJ’s staff and Board have decades of experience in international legal matters. Working in partnership with local organizations, we bring evidence of atrocities to the forefront in legal arenas, including international, regional, or national systems.


II. Project Description


Through the Conservation and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Project (“Conservation Project”), PEJ investigates and supports indigenous peoples (“IP”) in the pursuit of justice and accountability. In particular, the Conservation Project focuses on violations resulting from the implementation of “fortress conservation” models in protected areas (“PA”).1 In a previous phase, the Conservation Project published an exploratory report highlighting human rights violations against IPs in PAs and showing that these violations are a consequence of a systematic pattern derived from fortress conservation implementation.


Phase 2 of the PEJ Conservation Project is focused on preparing, investigating, and filing a case before a selected accountability body for the atrocities committed in a PA, as a case study to be sequenced and replicated in other PAs worldwide. Phase 2.2 of the project, to which these Terms of Reference relate, focuses on the further collection and analysis of evidence and preparing and filing legal brief(s) before the relevant accountability mechanism(s).


III. Duties, deliverables, and qualifications


The Field Investigator and Security Expert will work directly with the Team Lead and Junior Lawyers. They will be responsible for the safety and security assessments and planning of all field missions and ground operations. They will also be responsible for conducting practical training on international criminal investigations and human rights investigations. The successful candidate should ideally have knowledge and experience in security-sensitive scenarios and excellent working proficiency in both English and French.


The Field Investigator will report directly to the Team Lead and work closely with the rest of the project team and PEJ staff members. 


Key Responsibilities:

  • Working with the rest of the team to meet the project goals and deliverables.

  • Conducting security assessments and developing and drafting security plans for ground operations.

  • Preparing mission plans for ground investigations.

  • Coordinating jointly with the Team Lead all ground investigations, operations, and missions and overseeing their development.

  • Conducting international criminal investigations and human rights investigations.

  • Providing training to staff and stakeholders on security and investigations.

  • Coordinating with other organizations and authorities in the field, as necessary.


The Field Investigator will also be involved in the following general PEJ activities:


  • Participating in PEJ organizational meetings.

  • Contributing to concept development, proposal writing and other fundraising activities.

  • Conducting research and drafting legal analysis memoranda on a variety of issues to support partners; and

  • Assisting with regular reporting needs. 


Qualifications

  • A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in investigative work in criminal proceedings, conducting security assessments, investigations and training.

  • A university degree in law, international law, law enforcement, criminal investigation, international relations, security management, police studies or related fields. An advanced university degree in the aforementioned fields or in human rights or international criminal law is desired.

  • Vast knowledge and experience of international and criminal law and procedure.

  • Substantial field investigation experience and experience managing and coordinating a field team.

  • Experience in advising and mentoring investigators, lawyers, and civil society actors and/or in designing and delivering training sessions on international criminal law and human rights law.

  • Knowledge and experience in sensitive security contexts.

  • Excellent working proficiency in English and French.

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in high-pressure or complicated situations.

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Technological awareness, willingness and ability to learn new technology and work with technology relevant to the job.


IV. How to apply for this position:


Please send your

  • CV (max two pages)

  • Cover letter

  • Writing sample

By march 20, email recruitment@projectexpeditejustice.org with “Application: Investigator Conservancy” in the subject line. 


PEJ is looking to fill this position as soon as possible and will review applications on a rolling basis.

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