Leiden Law School, Institute of Public Law, Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Kalshoven-Gieskes Forum on International Humanitarian Law

The Kalshoven-Gieskes Forum on International Humanitarian Law is hiring a

Student Assistant (0.3 fte) for a period of 8 months


Background

The Kalshoven-Gieskes Forum was established in 2011 and provides a platform within Leiden University’s Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies for research, teaching and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The Forum directed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Robert Heinsch, LL.M. and supported by KGF Research and Teaching Associates. The Forum is offering innovative teaching of IHL at Leiden University in the format of the practically-oriented and research-led ‘IHL Clinic’, which enables students to conduct research on real-life issues occurring in and surrounding armed conflict. The research feeds into cooperating partners’ endeavours to promote IHL, assist victims of armed conflict in seeking access to justice, and prevent violations of IHL.


Tasks of the Student Assistant

The Forum and its IHL Clinic produced approximately 50 reports examining legal questions of International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law and International Human Rights Law, most of which have been classified at the time of their production in order to protect the integrity of international judicial processes or to ensure the security of cooperating organisations, individual victims, or IHL Clinic students and KGF staff. Aiming at further promoting IHL, the Forum is hiring a student assistant who will be tasked with assisting to identify those reports that can be declassified. The candidate will also be asked to help with editing these reports, publishing them on the KGF website, and disseminating them using the KGF channels such as social media and newsletters.

The Forum is envisioning outreach and impact on a global scale, making use of its extensive network of academic and humanitarian partners, including international, regional and non-governmental organisations, as well as governments and courts and tribunals around the world. Moreover, the assistant will contribute to the ongoing mapping of involved students and staff at the KGF and its IHL Clinic. The assistant will hereby support the Forum’s efforts to maintain and strengthen a network of young professionals in International Humanitarian Law, as well as enhance the evaluation methodology of the innovative teaching method of IHL Clinics.


Key responsibilities
  • Mapping, editing, declassifying, and assisting in the publication of concluded research, conducted by the Kalshoven-Gieskes Forum on International Humanitarian Law and its IHL Clinic;
  • Supporting public relations of the Forum;
  • Mapping of KGF staff and students, including network maintenance;
  • Assisting in the administration of the Forum, its IHL Clinic and professional networks;
  • Assisting in the organisation of ad hoc events, including online and in-person workshops and roundtables.

Selection Criteria
  • Current enrolment at Leiden University, in one of the LL.M. programmes in Public International Law (reg. or adv.);
  • Education in International Humanitarian Law is required (completion of specialized courses in International Humanitarian Law are seen an asset);
  • Strong and substantiated research skills, including academic writing and experience in editing of academic texts;
  • A high sense of commitment and dedication and willingness to assist in on-going dissemination and organizational matters of the Forum;
  • Strong dedication and commitment to the goals and objectives of the Forum;
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as an ability and willingness to work collaboratively and collegially in a team;
  • Excellent command of English.

Terms & Conditions
  • The selected candidate will be appointed as student assistant at the KGF on 0.3 fte for a period of 8 months, starting on 1 November 2021.
  • Applicants need to be enrolled at Leiden University’s LL.M. programmes in Public International Law (reg. or adv.), at least until July 2022.
  • This is a renumerated position, which is being established with the generous funding by the Gieskes-Strijbis Fonds.

Diversity

Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.


Applications

If you are interested in becoming a student assistant at the Kalshoven-Gieskes Froum, please submit your application by Sunday, 17 October 2021, 23:59pm (CET). Your application documents should include a motivation letter and a CV. Please submit all documents to the email address KGFLeiden@gmail.com in one PDF document, with the file name indicating your name in the following format [Last name-First name]. We are looking forward to receiving your application!