Project Lawyer

The International Bar Association, established in 1947, is the world's leading international organisation of legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. The IBA influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession throughout the world. It has a membership of more than 80,000 individual lawyers and more than 190 bar associations and law societies spanning over 170 countries. It has considerable expertise in providing assistance to the global legal community.

The Legal Policy and Research Unit (LPRU) is a specialist team within the IBA that provides legal, policy, research and project delivery support to IBA Committees and divisions. The Unit works closely with committee leadership and members to support the development and implementation of committee-led strategies and initiatives addressing key issues facing the global legal profession.

The LPRU provides core support to committees where required, collaborating with a wide range of international organisations, bar associations, academic institutions, governments, the private sector and civil society. Its work includes legal and policy research, drafting reports and guidance, coordinating consultations, and supporting capacity-building activities and events across areas such as commercial law, professional ethics and integrity, anti-corruption, climate related legal issues, business and human
rights, and related fields.

Key Accountabilities

Under the supervision and guidance of LPRU Director, the Project Lawyer will be expected to fulfil the following key accountabilities:

• Support the effective implementation of committee-led legal and policy initiatives, working in close collaboration with IBA committee and division leadership to deliver agreed objectives, outputs and timelines.
• Undertake legal and policy research, analysis, coordination and drafting copy in support of committee-approved projects, including the preparation of reports, briefing papers, consultation materials and other project outputs.
• Contribute legal expertise and analytical insight to support committees in shaping and refining project content and deliverables, within agreed mandates.
• Engage with IBA committee members, local and international legal professionals, international organisations, the private sector, academic institutions and civil society organisations to facilitate consultation, collaboration and project delivery.
• Represent the IBA at relevant events and conferences in support of committee led projects, including presenting agreed project outputs and updates where appropriate.
• Coordinate project activity and timelines to support effective delivery, including liaising with internal IBA teams and supervising consultants where applicable.
• Encourage and support the involvement of committee members in projects, promoting active participation and contribution in line with agreed objectives.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support delivery of the unit's overall programme of work.
• Participate in the application and selection process for interns and provide guidance, mentorship and support during their placements.
• Build and maintain trusted working relationships with IBA committee leadership and members, contributing constructive ideas, professional judgement and practical solutions to support the successful implementation of committee-led initiatives.

Standards

In carrying out the above, the employee will at all times adhere to the highest professional standards and to IBA procedures and policies as directed.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Applications are invited from candidates with:

• A law degree or relevant law conversion qualification and higher degree in a relevant discipline (ideally LLM);
• At least 2 years' practice experience, ideally in a corporate legal or legal governance environment as a qualified lawyer;.
• Experience in project management and budgeting;
• Experience in report writing;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Confident communication and presentation skills;
• Fluent written and spoken English. (Fluency/high competency in a second language would be an advantage)
• Versatility, strong problem-solving skills, a creative and innovative mindset and proven experience of working well within a team;
• Ability and willingness to travel.