Senior Lawyer (Thai National)
: International Justice Mission (IJM)
: Nonprofits / องค์กรไม่แสวงหาผลกำไร
: 1127
: 3 August 2018
17 August 2018
Senior Lawyer (Thai National)
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Start Date: ASAP
Compensation: Competitive salary with benefits
The Mission
International Justice Mission (IJM) is a global organization that protects the vulnerable from violence by partnering with government authorities to rescue victims, bring criminals to justice, restore survivors, and strengthen criminal justice systems so they protect the vulnerable from violence and abuse long-term. IJM is a global team of lawyers, social workers, fieldworkers and other professionals. IJM has 17 field offices across the globe, including multiple offices in Southeast Asia.
IJM has worked in northern Thailand through IJM’s Chiang Mai field office (FO) since 2000, partnering with government authorities on hill tribe Thai citizenship cases and cases of sexual violence against children. In 2017, IJM established a new field office (FO) in Bangkok to provide support to Thai authorities in eliminating labor trafficking and forced labor from the Thai fishing and seafood industries. IJM lawyers, fieldworkers, social workers and other professionals will support Thai law enforcement, social services, prosecutors and the courts to identify and prosecute cases of forced labor and labor trafficking crimes, and restore labor trafficking survivors to safety and strength.
The Need
IJM is seeking a Senior Lawyer to secure justice for victims of forced labor and to hold accountable perpetrators of forced labor and human trafficking crimes. We are looking for a smart, motivated, analytical, and talented high-achieving Thai lawyer with 3-5 years’ experience practicing law in criminal court, a corporate legal department or as a litigator at a private law firm, strong written and spoken English language skills, and a passion to protect the poor and vulnerable from violence by using their legal skills. The position is based in Bangkok, Thailand and may require travel within Thailand. This position reports to the Bangkok Deputy Field Office Director (DFOD).
Responsibilities
Legal Cases
- Fully understand criminal code and procedures as well as current and future laws related to forced labor and human trafficking, including: the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act B.E 2551 (2008), as amended in B.E. 2558 (2015) and B.E. 2560 (2017); The Trafficking in Persons Case Procedure Act B.E. 2559 (2016); Labor Protection Act, B.E. 2541 (1998); Ministerial Regulation Concerning Labor Protection in the Sea Fishery Sector, B.E. 2557 (2014); and anti-money laundering laws and regulations;
- Advise the IJM Law Enforcement Coordination Department in preparation of cases, reviewing intervention reports to be submitted to relevant authorities, ensuring thorough, persuasive presentation of factual and legal analyses;
- Effectively support the public prosecutor in assigned criminal cases and/or join assigned criminal cases as a private prosecutor to represent IJM clients;
- Pursue criminal and civil remedies for victims of force labor and human trafficking.
- Effectively represent victims in court proceedings, including pre-trial hearings, trial and appeal;
- Oversee drafting of legal documents and participate in oral arguments before Courts;
- Obtain tangible accountability for perpetrators through convictions, asset seizure, or other penalties, and justice for victims, including compensation or payment of unpaid wages;
- Advise and assist the IJM Aftercare Department on legal matters pertaining to effective care of victims of trafficking;
- Develop, maintain and monitor an efficient casework filing and management system for IJM cases in both physical and electronic files;
- Conduct legal research and draft legal briefings on issues related to forced labor and human trafficking; and
- Provide training to government authorities and other IJM partners on legal issues related to forced labor and human trafficking offenses, laws and criminal procedures.
Relationships
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with prosecutors, judges, court officials, lawyers, police officers and NGOs with whom IJM can partner in forced labor exploitation and human trafficking;
- Demonstrate ability to develop strong rapport with IJM clients in a victim-sensitive manner; and
- Develop and maintain relationships with IJM Bangkok Field Office and IJM Cambodia Field Office staff.
Management
- Manage all aspects of the legal docket pertaining to IJM’s cases;
- Manage legal team operations, ensuring that projected activities, outputs and objectives are achieved; and
- Supervise and review all legal research and drafting of legal documents to guide IJM strategy.
Miscellaneous
- Maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information;
- Ensure that IJM complies with all relevant laws and professional ethics;
- Stay informed and disseminate new relevant government regulations concerning forced labor or human trafficking to IJM Bangkok casework staff; and
- Carry out additional assignments as required by the Deputy Field Office Director.
Required Skills and Experience
- Law degree from an accredited Thai university required; Master’s Degree in Law preferred (L.L.M.).
- License to practice law in Thailand required.
- 3-5 years’ experience practicing law in criminal court, a corporate legal department or as a litigator at a private law firm.
- Exceptional written and spoken communication in English and Thai required.
- 1-2 years’ of people management experience preferred.
- Demonstrated legal research and writing skills preferred.
- High degree of organization, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving the poor and the oppressed.
- Strong leadership skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Thai national.
Critical Qualities
- Professional presentation in demeanor and written and oral communication.
- Exceptionally high level of honesty and integrity.
- Meticulous attention to detail, sound judgment, ability to take initiative and provide constructive feedback, and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Disciplined with priorities and works well under deadline pressures.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication, and experience or desire to work comfortably within a multi-ethnic team.
- Highly developed organizational and leadership skills; willingness to initiate actions and ideas, with exceptional follow-through.
- Sustained positive attitude.
- Passionate commitment to and understanding of IJM mission.
Application
Contact : bangkokrecruiting@ijm.org
