Lebanon: Legal Research Consultant (f/m) – Lebanon

Position Title:Legal Research Consultant (f/m) – Lebanon

Form of Employment: Part-time (desk work)

Starting Date: April 2017

Duration: until 14 October 2017

Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Background

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. Democracy Reporting International promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions world-wide.

In the framework of its Lebanon Project “An Agenda for Decentralisation – Local Governance in Lebanon” (funded by the German Foreign Office), DRI Lebanon will be supporting the Parliamentary Committees that are discussing the 2014 Administrative Decentralisation Bill. DRI is therefore currently recruiting a part-time Legal Research Consultant (f/m) to assist the relevant Committees discussing Administrative Decentralisation in Lebanon.

The election of new municipal councils in May 2016 revived the discussion on decentralisation in Parliament. Decentralisation was explicitly mentioned in the inaugural address of President Michel Aoun in November 2016, paving the way for greater momentum for an Administrative Decentralisation Law. DRI sees the need for a holistic research approach with a long-term perspective which enhances cooperation between local authorities, political decision-makers, and civil society actors on the pressing issues and systemic weaknesses.

DRI was approached by members of the Lebanese Parliament who voiced their need for technical support to inform the parliamentary debate. In March 2017, the Administrative Decentralisation Subcommittee members expressed their interest to receive the assistance of a part-time legal researcher, based on assignments given by the Chairperson and the members of the relevant Committee.
Your duties and responsibilities:

Assist the relevant Committees in Parliament in the debate and in the drafting process of the Administration Decentralisation Law, particularly by:

1. Attending the meetings of the relevant Committees discussing the 2014 Administrative Decentralisation Bill at the times decided by the Committees at the Lebanese Parliament;

2. Conducting research and drafting memos on debated issues, including but not limited to studies in comparative law, as may be requested by the relevant Committee, its Chairperson, or one, or more, of its members (by ranking of priority);

3. Writing conceptual summaries of Subcommittee proceedings and assist the Subcommittee Secretary to capture the modifications that are adopted into the debated draft and comparative tables;

4. Provide input of similar nature that may be requested by the relevant Committees or DRI;

5. Keep all deliberations and generated documents strictly confidential and at the relevant Committee’s discretion;

6. Hold weekly coordination meetings with DRI Lebanon.

DRI Lebanon will provide you with an adequate working space to fulfil your assignment and will monitor the actual level of effort spent (16 hours per week). Supervision in terms of substance and content befalls the Sub/committee’s Chairperson and Secretary. DRI may also support with comparative expertise on local governance and decentralisation where necessary.
Qualifications we require:

• M.A. or equivalent degree in Public Law or Public Administration, with an emphasis on Decentralisation and Local Governance;
• Full written command of the Arabic language, fluency in English and/or French; any third language is a strong asset;
• Familiarity with the legal framework of decentralisation and local governance in Lebanon and other countries;
• Proven experience in legal research on similar themes, working in think tanks, research centres or academia;
• Legal drafting skills are a strong asset;
• Writing/research samples on decentralisation and local governance;
• Good communication and negotiation skills.

DRI values diversity and aims to be an equal opportunities employer.

If you are interested in this position, please send your application including

• A cover letter highlighting relevant experience in similar assignments and why you are fit for the position
• Your CV, showing evidence of relevant experience in similar assignments
• Writing/research samples on the subject, if available
• References of prior completed projects/assignments

in one PDF file to mena@democracy-reporting.org. Please include “**Legal Research Consultant (f/m) – Lebanon**” in the subject line and refer to the source in which you have found this opportunity.

Closing date for a pplications is Monday 17 April 2017, 18:00 local time. The position may be filled before the end of the deadline so early applications are encouraged.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. If you are shortlisted, we will contact you within one week after expiration of the deadline.