Junior Lawyer

About Project Expedite Justice

Project Expedite Justice (PEJ), founded in 2016, is a United States-based NGO with 501(c)(3) charitable organization designation.

PEJ's mission is to use all available legal options to seek justice for individuals inadequately protected under the law, who cannot access legal resources, and who are exploited by governments, corporations, or others.

PEJ applies a novel, victim-centered approach to addressing mass atrocities. PEJ's 3-step model includes training, mentoring, and providing independent legal consulting. We partner with and train local lawyers and investigators to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence according to international legal standards. Without evidence, there can be no accountability. We further build local capabilities and advance the justice process through case-specific mentoring and strategic guidance to local legal practitioners and investigators. Finally, we partner with local NGOs, pro bono law firms, and legal clinics to represent victims of international crimes and serious human rights abuses in court or alternative judicial mechanisms.

PEJ has projects in several countries. Our inclusive team includes people working remotely from Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and the US. We are deeply committed to increasing opportunities for lawyers and other human rights defenders from the global majority or global south to participate in international rule-of-law-based nonprofit work.

The Opportunity: Junior Lawyer– Zaporizhzhia Program

The Junior Lawyer will support the Senior Lawyer and the Senior Legal Coordinator, as well as the broader legal team in research, sanctions submissions, legal drafting, case development, and documentation related to pillage, unlawful appropriation, sanctions violations, and related international crimes in Zaporizhzhia.

The role is a full-time consultancy requiring strong legal research and drafting skills, familiarity with international criminal law and Ukrainian legal frameworks, and the ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.

The Junior Lawyer reports to the Senior Lawyer and works closely with the legal, investigative, and analytical teams.

The contract is for six months, requiring full-time commitment to the project, with the possibility for extension depending on project needs and budget.

Key Deliverables:

• Legal research notes, memos, and briefs related to pillage, appropriation, sanctions violations, and related international crimes.
• Draft contributions to legal submissions, accountability strategies, and sanctions packages.
• Organized legal files, summaries, and documentation supporting project reporting and case development.
• Inputs for oblast-specific reports and updates, including Zaporizhzhia-focused legal assessments.
• Support materials for trainings, presentations, and legal capacity-building initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Research and Drafting

• Conduct legal research on international criminal law, international humanitarian law, Ukrainian law, and sanctions-related frameworks.
• Draft short notes, summaries, and sections of legal memoranda and reports.
• Assist in preparing drafts of sanctions submissions and legal complaints.

Case File and Evidence Support

• Assist in organizing legal case files and linking legal findings with investigative outputs.
• Review and summarize evidence and open-source materials related to pillage and appropriation.
• Ensure legal documentation is properly stored and catalogued according to PEJ SOPs.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the Senior Lawyer to meet project deadlines and legal quality standards.
• Coordinate with investigators and analysts to support integrated case development.
• Participate in team meetings to provide updates on legal findings.

Training and Capacity Building Support

• Support the preparation of training materials, case studies, legal fact sheets, and presentations.
• Assist with logistics and documentation for capacity-building sessions with Ukrainian partners.

Organizational Engagement and Reporting

• Participate actively in PEJ team meetings and project discussions.
• Contribute legal content to donor reports, project proposals, newsletters, and public-facing materials.
• Maintain organized and secure case files and legal documentation in accordance with PEJ SOPs.

Profile (Qualifications and Attributes):

• Law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent); LLM preferred but not required.
• 1–3 years of experience in international criminal law, human rights law, IHL, transitional justice, or relevant fields.
• Strong legal research and writing skills.
• Familiarity with sanctions regimes (EU/UK/US), corporate accountability, or property appropriation is an asset.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams preferred.
• Ability to work independently, remotely, and efficiently.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required. Must be based in Ukraine.
• Commitment to PEJ’s mission and a victim-centered approach.