The Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) is seeking a Chief of Party for its existing South Sudan office. Below please find information on PILPG and its South Sudan project, as well as the role of the Chief of Party and the required qualifications for the position.

Overview

PILPG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as a global pro bono law firm providing free assistance to transitioning states and governments.  PILPG has provided direct assistance to over two dozenpro bono clients to help them design processes to develop and implement foreign policy initiatives, conduct peace negotiations, implement peace agreements, and draft post-conflict constitutions.  PILPG also provides assistance to its pro bono clients in emerging states on designing new state institutions, including foreign ministries.  PILPG has maintained offices in Kenya, Tanzania, Somaliland and Uganda and has further served clients in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Liberia.  PILPG has had a permanent office in Juba, South Sudan, for the past four years.

For almost four years, PILPG has served as legal advisor to the Government of Southern Sudan (now the Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GoSS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).  PILPG has (i) helped implement critical aspects of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) (including the referendum and Abyei border dispute), (ii) worked directly with its government and the SPLM Negotiation Team to negotiate post-2011 secession arrangements with the Government of Sudan (GoS) (such as oil sector, currency, security and debts and assets arrangements), and (iii) prepare for post-2011 governance in the South (i.e. state recognition and treaty succession and accession matters).  Going forward, the Republic of South Sudan has requested PILPG’s assistance to (i) continue post-2011 secession arrangement negotiations with GoS; (ii) conclude outstanding CPA matters like the disputed border area of Abyei and the definition of the international North-South border; and (iii) support post-2011 governance, including with the Permanent Constitution process and assistance to its newly emerged Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Role of the Chief of Party

PILPG is seeking a professional with at least seven years experience in the field of international law, with particular expertise in such matters as comparative constitutional law, state secession, democracy and governance, diplomacy, decentralized/autonomous scenarios, international human rights complaint mechanisms, regional/international organizations, and negotiating peace agreements, legislative drafting to serve as the Chief of Party for its South Sudan Project.  Experience in conflict areas and in international negotiations preferred. The Chief of Party will be based in Juba, Republic of South Sudan.  He or she shall work under the supervision of the Director of the South Sudan Project who is based in the US with frequent travel to South Sudan.

Program Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with local GoSS and SPLM officials;
• Conduct ongoing consultations with GoSS and SPLM officials to assess needs and provide legal & policy advice;
• Facilitate workshops, negotiation simulations, negotiation strategy and preparation sessions; and scenario-planning exercises on constitutional reform and advocacy efforts;
• Coordinate with the Project Director on the preparation of legal memoranda and other documents and initiatives required to implement activities;
• Build and maintain relationships and cooperation with NGOs and civil society leaders;
• Conduct consultations and meetings with other NGOs, international organizations, and US government offices to ensure complementarity of programming, points of collaboration and information exchanges;
• Provide substantive direction to PILPG research and legal teams on the drafting of the international law and comparative state practice memos, simulation materials, briefing papers, strategy and position papers and press releases, among others;
• Analyze local political conditions and the effectiveness of the project in meeting the stated goals and objectives;
• Communicate and coordinate with GoSS and SPLM officials, as well as relevant consultants on the design and substance of workshops;
• Ensure adherence to requisite grantor and US government policies and procedures;
• Oversee the development, review, and timely submission of project-related materials, including regular reports and internal circulations that update, and measure and evaluate project results;
• Supervise the work of pro bono law firms and research associates providing legal assistance on the project, and coordinate with other GoSS and SPLM advisors;
• Coordinate closely with PILPG’s Washington, DC office on the overall strategy and development of the project;
• Provide regular briefings to PILPG’s Washington, DC office on political developments and implementation of the program;
• Coordinate and work with other PILPG staff on PILPG initiatives with law firm partners;
• Maintain regular communication with the Project Director, as well as the research team, including conducting weekly Skype calls and drafting monthly updates on project activities; and
• Coordinate closely with other PILPG field offices located throughout the continent.

Administration

• Draft materials on the South Sudan project for PILPG’s website, annual reports, internal circulations and law firm updates at the request of senior staff;
• Maintain PILPG’s in-country financial books related to the South Sudan project in accordance with PILPG’s financial policies and procedures manual;
• Develop quarterly project reports that detail project activities and measure and evaluate project results;
• Draft periodic funder reports and funder proposals;
• Facilitate the visits of non-field staff, consultants, and funder representatives as appropriate; and
• Manage all local service providers to PILPG (including driver) and local office and related logistics and financials.

Educational and Professional Qualifications

• A law degree;
• Demonstrated knowledge of public international law, including comparative constitutional law, and international human rights law;
• Demonstrated experience working with new States and regions in transition;
• Past experience developing relationships with senior government officials and civil society leaders;
• A minimum of seven years work experience in international law, including experience with matters such as constitutional and legislative reform, post-conflict rule of law, state succession, decentralized and autonomous governance, civil society engagement and consensus-building;
• Knowledge of and previous experience in Sudan or South Sudan is highly desirable; and
• Prior overseas field work.

Communication and Organizational Skills

• Capacity to conduct research and write comparative legal memos, analytical strategy papers, talking points and press statements as needed; and draft agreement language;
• Political judgment and the proven ability to develop and carry out program strategy;
• Strong analytic and organizational skills;
• Prior experience editing writings of others to ensure professional quality and suitability;
• Ability to manage and provide substantive guidance on work product to a team of research associates and law firm pro bono partners;
• Fluent in English with proven legal writing and editing skills;
• Knowledge of Arabic a plus, but not required;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and able to work closely with multiple team members located across the globe;
• Ability to manage effectively multiple activities in a fast-paced, challenging overseas environment; and
• Responsive, a self-starter, and able to solve problems independently.

How to Apply

Send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to recruitment@pilpg.org.

Include in the subject line: Application: South Sudan Chief of Party.