Human rights legal assistant

Please note that Samos volunteers is only facilitating the recruitment and job posting but is not the hiring organisation, contact information can be found below.

Position Type: Full-time, 3-month trial period

Starting Date ASAP

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A joint initiative of several grassroots organisations operating on Samos, and funded by Choose Love and Aidhoc, have recently engaged a human rights lawyer, whose primary aim is litigation and representation in cases of alleged human rights violations on behalf of asylum-seekers and refugees within the Greek asylum process. The organisations now seek to engage an intern to support this lawyer.

The project will establish a referral pathway for asylum-seekers who wish to make a complaint or seek legal assistance with an issue outside of the asylum process. Such cases may include, but are not limited to, denial of access to essential health care services, negligence on behalf of health care professionals, unlawful incarceration, incarceration with inadequate facilities, and cases of sexual abuse and violence.

The ideal candidate for this role would be willing to relocate to Samos and to support the work of the lawyer, as he/she sets up this project. He or she must have extensive knowledge of EU and Greek migration and asylum processes, and most importantly, be passionate about human rights and justice.

Role and Responsibilities

The candidate will work on the ground in Vathy town, Samos, to support the lawyer as he/she responds to the legal needs and cases as they arise. Primary tasks will include:

● Monitoring human rights violations against asylum-seekers and refugees residing in Vathy RIC and other locations on Samos island. In particular, police brutality and misconduct, false or unlawful imprisonment, and medical negligence and denial of access to essential healthcare services;

● Developing the procedures and practices associated with a client referral pathway, and introducing secure administrative processes for recording and storing confidential data;

● Supporting the lawyer in bringing cases of strategic litigation to national Courts or, if needed, to the European Court of Human Rights, and other authoritative legal bodies;

● Regular reporting to donors and stakeholders;

● Working closely with other legal actors on the island to ensure close and effective cooperation and information exchange;

● Analyse the local working context, and relay these insights to the lawyer.

Requirements

● Relevant academic qualification (Honours Bachelor Level) in law, human rights law, or migration law;

● Fluent English language skills;

● Initial professional experience working in a legal capacity, ideally in the area of human rights or migration law;

● Awareness of ethical guidelines for the humanitarian field, including GDPR;

● Dedication to the pursuit of justice and due process in the field of migration;

● Ability and willingness to work in a dynamic and highly challenging environment, which may necessitate out-of-work hours.

Preferred Skills

● Ability to process large volumes of complex information, and condense it into concise reports;

● Strong administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to work autonomously;

● Previous experience either working or volunteering in the humanitarian space;

● Proficiency in one other language (e.g. French, Farsi, Arabic). Greek language skills will be considered a distinct advantage.

Benefits

● Living expenses to the value of €400/month, plus accommodation in Vathy town, are covered;

● Support and close collaboration with a local private lawyer and grassroots NGOs;

● The opportunity to work in a fulfilling and challenging role in the field of migration, offering direct and essential legal support to beneficiaries.

Applications Accepted By: Dimitrios Choulis

Please send a cover letter and CV to the following email address: dhoulis@gmail.com

Please be prepared to present the contact details of one professional reference.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and recruitment will close as soon as a suitable candidate has been found.

Please note that Samos volunteers is only facilitating the recruitment and job posting but is not the hiring organisation, contact information can be found below.