Legal Reform Adviser

1. Reporting Line:

The Legal Reform Adviser reports to Strategic Maritime Adviser / Head of Maritime and Coast Guard Unit.

2. Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

· To work in close cooperation with the Legal Advisers, Chain of Prosecution Advisers, Strategic Advisers and Police and Coast Guard Advisers;

· To support the enhancement of cooperation and coordination in the conduct of maritime crime investigations and prosecution between law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts;

· To strengthen the first level of the criminal justice chain, excluding the correctional system;

· To advise local counterparts on legislation and best practices relevant to police/prosecutor cooperation particularly in the maritime sector;

· To liaise with other international actors;

· To analyse, assess and advise on legislative frameworks governing the justice system in relation to crimes at sea, maritime security (including the ports) and laws regulating maritime affairs/governance including IUU fishing and, as necessary, give expert recommendations;

· To support the development of legal drafting capabilities by mentoring, advising and training;

· To strengthen the Criminal Justice Chain and facilitate police-prosecutor co-operation, in particular to enhance the cooperation and coordination in the conduct of (maritime) criminal investigations and prosecution between law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts though advising, e.g. on sustainable legal training for law enforcement, judicial institutions and other authorities, including the development, organisation and conduct of specialised and integrated courses based on a Train to Trainer approach;

· To ensure timely reporting and information flow on justice issues;

· To contribute to identifying and reporting on lessons and best practices within the field of criminal justice, with particular reference to maritime related crime;

· To conduct legal research as necessary;

· To support Legal advisers in the drafting of legislation, as appropriate;

· To support activity across all lines of operations;

· To be embedded with a local institution/Ministry;

· To participate as required in duty trips in the area of operations of the Mission, including other high-risk areas;

· To contribute to EUCAP S Human Rights and Gender activities;

· To advise on the promotion of international legal standards and best practices in relation to crimes at sea, maritime security and laws regulating maritime affairs/governance including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing among host state authorities and ensure that these aspects are incorporated in a coordinated and consistent manner in the Mission’s Implementation Plan;

· To mentor and advise the Somali judiciary authorities and civilian maritime law enforcement agencies staff in order to improve their skills and entrench relevant training received into their everyday working practices;

· To build strong working relationships with justice system actors in Somalia and other key stakeholders (including international stakeholders, other EU bodies, UN organisations, countries involved in bilateral activities) focused on crimes at sea;

· To monitor and analyse the justice situation in the host state;

· To liaise with and advise the host state justice authorities and relevant security sector reform actors.

3. General Tasks and Responsibilities:

· To identify and report on lessons learned and best practices within the respective area of responsibility;

· To contribute and ensure timely reporting on activities within the respective area of responsibility;

· To take account of gender equality and human rights aspects in the execution of tasks;

· To undertake any other related tasks as requested by the Line Manager(s).

4. Essential Qualifications and Experience:

· Successful completion of university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma in law OR a
qualification in the National Qualifications Framework which is equivalent to level 6 in the
European Qualifications Framework OR a qualification of the first cycle under the framework
of qualifications of the European Higher Education Area, e.g. Bachelor’s Degree OR equivalent
and attested police and/or military education or training or an award of an equivalent rank;
AND

· A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, after having fulfilled the education
requirements.

5. Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Knowledge of legal reform processes in fragile environments, including the development of legal policy and legislation;

· Knowledge of Maritime Law, including relevant conventions, such as UNCLOS and IMO conventions and experience in implementation of international conventions;

· CSDP experience in the areas of Monitoring, Mentoring and Advising.

· Sound knowledge of EU Maritime Strategy and related policies;

· Knowledge of policies, legislative, regulatory and organisational aspects of Coast Guard functions, maritime administration and maritime security;

· Good knowledge of Human Rights and Gender practices.

6. Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

· Experience in the field of legislative/normative/regulatory reforms in a post-conflict situation;

· Experience in criminal justice reform either domestically or internationally;

· Experience in Maritime Law and/or Maritime Administration;

· Experience in mentoring or conducting legal training;

· International experience, particularly in crisis areas with multinational and/or international organizations.

7. Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Knowledge of constitutional law, human rights law

· Critical thinking and active listening;

· Complex problem-solving skills;

· Legal drafting skills.