International Investigator (Consultant)

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) is an independent, non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers working in fragile and conflict affected areas in the Middle East, Africa, South and Southeast Asia. We have a particular focus on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, rule of law and accountability, transformative justice, and natural resource exploitation working to bring justice to those who need it most. LAW’s ground-breaking work has received international and local media coverage, and recognition.

LAW is seeking an international investigator to assist with the implementation of a survivor-led accountability strategy on the Myanmar programme. LAW is seeking a human rights/international criminal Investigator with experience interviewing vulnerable victims and witnesses, such as victims of sexual and gender-based violence. The investigator will work under the technical supervision of LAW’s Head of Litigation, with functional reporting to the Myanmar Programme Manager.

Reports to: Programme Manager, with technical supervision by Head of Litigation

Location: Remote

Duration: Up to 15 working days per month, February 2024 – May 2024.

The key functions and responsibilities of the expert will be:

• Drafting and developing an investigation plan in coordination with the Myanmar team on accountability for international crimes committed in Myanmar since February 2021, including gendered crimes, such as conflict-related sexual violence;
• Identifying and following up on investigative leads through LAW’s networks, CSO partners, journalists, and other relevant contacts;
• Conducting trauma-informed interviews with survivors of all genders in line with international standards established by the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the “Istanbul Protocol”) and LAW’s legal aid guidelines and interviewing protocol(s);
• Collecting other evidence, including video and documentary evidence, from survivors, or creating a record for LAW to follow up on evidentiary leads, including by identifying other witnesses for LAW to interview from survivors’ testimony;
• Preparing victim/witness statements for submission to competent legal bodies, including domestic courts under the principles of universal jurisdiction;
• Debriefing with LAW staff on the survivors’/victims’ testimony and any other information gathered during the interview to enable LAW to further its representation of survivors, including by making referrals to appropriate support services;
• Making recommendations on the next steps in the investigation process, including but not limited to any areas of thematic or geographic focus that should be explored in greater depth, and following up on any potential witnesses identified at interview.

Required:

• Bachelor of Laws or equivalent degree in international criminal law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, criminology, policing, or other relevant subject;
• Minimum three years’ experience interviewing victims/witnesses for national criminal proceedings, for human rights litigation, or for international criminal proceedings;
• Demonstrated experience of preparing victim/witness statements for legal processes;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Flexibility, and ability to manage own workplan and meet tight deadlines;
• Team player able to work well as part of a team and contribute meaningfully to common goals within a short timeframe;
• Careful and methodical approach, with the ability to respond to and resolve difficulties quickly and effectively; and
• Ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships with people from different backgrounds and to build trust efficiently.

Desired:

• Qualified lawyer with at least three years’ experience providing legal information, assistance, or representation to clients;
• Demonstrated experience of interviewing victims and witnesses to conflict-related sexual violence;
• Demonstrated experience of conducting remote interviews;
• Knowledge of Myanmar context, and significant local contacts and networks, preferably obtained through previous investigative work on the Myanmar crisis.
• Knowledge of Burmese language