Vacancy Pro Bono Internship

As a Pro Bono Intern you will make a positive contribution to the communities in which DLA Piper operates and to the protection of human rights around the world. One of the core focus areas of our pro bono practice is securing access to justice for displaced persons. Therefor you will participate in two projects that increase justice and support better policies for displaced persons globally: the “Know your Rights” Project, which gives young asylum seekers will get tools to be proactive and fulfill their potential and The Syria Legal Network’s research project, which supports Syrian lawyers and human rights defenders contribute to international justice efforts for Syria.

The fulltime internship in our Amsterdam office is specifically for lawyers and law students who have been forced to relocate from their countries of origin due to conflict, persecution or environmental disaster.

Main duties and responsibilities

The “Know your Rights” Project (60%)

The goals of this this 12-week program is to empower young asylum seekers by increasing knowledge of the (Dutch/European/International) legal system, the rights of the asylum seekers and how to stand up for their rights.

You will be in charge of:

• The practical coordination of the “Know Your Rights'” project in collaboration with Pro Bono Connect, the Leiden Law Clinic and the New Dutch Connections
• The writing of correspondence and the planning of meetings between all the participants
• The communication and the promotion of the project
• The preparation, organization and following-up of the empowerment sessions

 

The Syria Legal Network’s research project (30%)

The Syria Legal Network-NL’s mission is to support Syrian lawyers and human rights defenders in the Netherlands contribute to international justice efforts for Syria.

You will be in charge of:

• Coordinating and editing the Syria Legal Network-NL BY LAWS
• Coordinating the translation coordination of the Nuhanovic Foundation Syria Legal Database
• Coordinating the publication of the Syria Legal Network-NL legal reader

 

DLA Pro Bono Intern (10%)

 As a member of the DLA Pro Bono team of Amsterdam, you will 

• Undertake legal research and draft memos as requested by the Associate and Director
• Provide support in relation to Pro Bono communications
• Assist in the planning of Pro Bono related events

 

Skills and attributes 

• Law graduate with excellent academic record
• Demonstrated commitment to pro bono and social justice
• Preferred experience working in a law firm
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• An effective advocate and excellent communication and written skills
• Excellent English (both written and oral), plus proficiency in at least one other language (Arabic or Dutch preferred)
• Optimistic commitment - draws on optimism to overcome challenges, is confident and resilient
• Flexible worker - ability to respond quickly to new situations, change direction and work flexibly around others, can work autonomously
• Personal maturity - achieves satisfaction by empowering others rather than through personal recognition, multi-cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Regular user of MS Word, Outlook and Excel

 

Terms and conditions

The internship will be paid at a rate of 850 EUR per month (net) and will have a duration of four months (August to December 2017). You must have the right to work in the Netherlands and you will work under the supervision of the European Pro Bono Director (Özgür Kahale, based in Paris) and the European Pro Bono Associate (Lamin Khadar, based in Amsterdam).

Application Process

Please send a CV to [email protected] with the subject "Pro Bono Internship Application" (no more than 2 pages long) and a covering letter or an e-mail (no more than 1 page) by June, 16th 2017 outlining how you meet the specifications and why you would like to work at DLA Piper. Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.