Legal Adviser (preferably based in Ukraine)

Job Type

Location

About the Role

The Opportunity: Legal Adviser

The Legal Adviser, reporting to the Project Lead and the Senior Legal Coordinator, provides senior legal guidance and technical assistance to justice sector actors and PEJ mentoring teams to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity cases. Based preferably in Ukraine, the Legal Adviser supports case development through legal analysis, evidentiary strategy, legal qualification assessments, and prosecutorial file review consistent with Ukrainian criminal procedure and relevant international legal standards.

The Legal Adviser contributes to the continuous improvement of Justice Bootcamp content by identifying recurring legal challenges and capacity gaps encountered through case assistance and mentorship activities. The role provides technical support during mentorship missions and serves as an escalation point for complex legal questions arising during project implementation.

About the Project

The Justice Bootcamps project is a national program designed to strengthen police, prosecutors, Ukraine Security Services (SSU), and judges (hereinafter, “justice actors”) practices across four frontline oblasts, where more war crimes reports have been recorded. This initiative delivers targeted workshops, providing technical assistance and operational support directly to justice actors handling war crimes and crimes against humanity cases. PEJ’s approach leads to immediate, targeted skill-building that increases capacity and equips frontline justice actors to prosecute Russian international crimes.

The project is structured around two mutually reinforcing goals: (1) strengthening frontline police, prosecutorial, and judicial capacity through intensive, practical Bootcamps and ongoing expert support; and (2) institutionalizing knowledge and skills within Ukrainian justice institutions to promote long-term sustainability, professional development, and interagency cooperation. Recognizing that needs vary across oblasts, the project tailors its activities to address priority challenges in each participating region. Through a practical “learn-by-doing” methodology, Justice Bootcamps supports justice actors to strengthen their ability to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate war crimes and crimes against humanity, helping ensure meaningful access to justice for survivors in Ukraine.

Key Deliverables:

Legal guidance and technical support provided to justice actors and PEJ mentoring teams on war crimes and crimes against humanity cases.
Legal qualification assessments, case analyses, and evidentiary strategy recommendations supporting case development.
Legal advisory support for complex casework and prosecutorial file development.
Technical inputs, including contributing to the preparation of workshops' curricula, mentorship activities, and learning materials.
Written legal analyses, guidance notes, and technical recommendations as requested.
Contributions to project reporting, lessons learned, and technical knowledge management processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Advisory and Case Support

Provide senior legal advice and technical assistance related to war crimes and crimes against humanity investigations and prosecutions.
Support legal qualification assessments and elements of crimes analysis for complex criminal cases.
Advise on evidentiary strategies, investigative priorities, and prosecutorial approaches consistent with applicable legal frameworks.
Together with the legal officer, review case materials and provide recommendations to strengthen prosecutorial file development.
Work closely with justice actors, particularly prosecutors, to identify legal and evidentiary gaps affecting case progression.

Mentorship and Technical Assistance

Support planning and delivery of legal mentorship activities for participating justice sector institutions.
Participate in mentorship missions, deliver training, and provide direct technical support to justice actors.
Serve as a technical escalation point for complex legal issues arising during mentorship engagements and case assistance.
Collaborate with PEJ mentoring teams to ensure consistent and high-quality legal guidance.

Justice Bootcamp Support

Contribute to the development, review, and refinement of Justice Bootcamp curricula and learning materials.
Identify recurring legal challenges, knowledge gaps, and training needs emerging from case support activities.
Provide subject matter expertise during Bootcamp sessions and related technical discussions.
Support integration of practical casework lessons into training and mentoring approaches.

Legal Research and Analysis

Conduct legal research related to international crimes, Ukrainian criminal procedure, and relevant international legal standards.
Prepare legal memoranda, technical guidance notes, and analytical products as required.
Monitor relevant legal developments and emerging jurisprudence to inform project activities.
Support the development of practical tools and reference materials for justice actors.

Documentation and Reporting

Maintain accurate records of legal advisory activities and technical assistance provided.
Prepare donor reports on the project covering technical inputs, activity summaries, and lessons learned documentation.
Support knowledge management and documentation of legal guidance, good practices, and recurring challenges.
Ensure sensitive legal information is handled in accordance with PEJ policies and confidentiality requirements.

Organizational Engagement and Reporting

Participate in relevant team meetings and reporting coordination calls with the Project Lead and the Projects Coordinator.
Contribute to proposal development, concept notes, and fundraising materials as needed.
Support other project-related activities and responsibilities as assigned.

Profile: Qualifications and Attributes

Profile (Qualifications and Attributes):

Advanced law degree (LL.M., J.D., or equivalent) in law, criminal law, international criminal law, human rights law, or a related field.
Minimum 7 years of relevant legal experience, including work on complex criminal investigations, prosecutions, international crimes, or related justice sector matters.
Demonstrated expertise in war crimes, crimes against humanity, international criminal law, or serious criminal investigations.
Strong knowledge of Ukrainian criminal procedure and legal frameworks, or demonstrated ability to work effectively within the Ukrainian legal context.
Experience providing legal advisory services, mentoring, training, or technical assistance to prosecutors, investigators, judges, or other justice sector actors.
Excellent legal research, analytical, drafting, and case assessment skills.
Ability to analyze complex factual and legal issues and provide practical, solutions-oriented guidance.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in Ukrainian is strongly preferred.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound professional judgment.
Experience working with international organizations, rule-of-law programs, accountability initiatives, or donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
Willingness and ability to travel to Ukraine, including frontline regions, in support of Bootcamps, mentorship missions, and project activities as required. PEJ may consider candidates who are not based in Ukraine on an exceptional basis.
Commitment to PEJ’s mission, values, confidentiality requirements, and professional standards.

How to Apply

Email recruitment@projectexpeditejustice.org with "Application: Legal Adviser (Justice Bootcamps)" in the subject line, and attach:

CV/resume (maximum of two pages);
Cover letter.
Written samples (can be redacted).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

By submitting your application, you consent to a reference check, where we will contact up to three professional references you provide.