Governance · Advisory Council

Advisory
Council

OLJA's Advisory Council brings together eminent practitioners, scholars, and advocates in international law, human rights, and policy — lending institutional credibility, strategic guidance, and high-level networks to an organisation designed to challenge the legal order itself.

The Role

Strategic Guidance
at the Highest Level

Advisory Council members are not asked to do governance or administration — that is the board's role. They are asked to do three things: provide strategic guidance in their area of expertise, lend their name and credibility to OLJA's work, and connect OLJA to networks and opportunities that can advance its mission.

The time commitment is intentionally light — 2 to 4 hours per month — because we recognise that the people we are asking to join are senior practitioners with significant existing commitments. We ask for expertise and engagement, not management.

"An advisory council should be the wisest voices in the room — not a rubber stamp. OLJA will ensure that every council member's expertise is genuinely engaged."
— OLJA Governance Principles
Open Positions

Advisory Council
Positions Open

01
IHL / International Law Expert

Eminent scholars or practitioners in international humanitarian law, international criminal law, or the law of armed conflict. An independent and credible publication record is essential. Experience advising international tribunals, UN bodies, or governments on IHL compliance preferred.

2–4 hrs/month · 2-year term
02
UN System Specialist

Former UN officials, Special Rapporteurs, Treaty Body members, or senior UN agency staff with deep expertise in international human rights mechanisms, UN Security Council dynamics, and multilateral diplomacy. Direct experience with the institutions OLJA seeks to reform.

2–4 hrs/month · 2-year term
03
MENA Region Specialist

Lawyers, academics, and civil society leaders with deep expertise in the legal systems of the MENA region and human rights in the Arab world. Arabic language proficiency preferred. Direct experience with the Egyptian, Jordanian, Moroccan, Lebanese, or other MENA legal systems valued.

2–4 hrs/month · 2-year term
04
Legal Technology & Innovation

Technology leaders, computational law practitioners, or AI governance experts with experience building platforms for civil society or the human rights sector. Experience with open-source legal technology, legal data standards, or AI applications in public interest contexts preferred.

2–4 hrs/month · 2-year term
05
Strategic Litigation Expert

Practitioners with demonstrated experience in strategic litigation at the regional or international level — before the ECtHR, African Court, Inter-American Court, or ICC. Experience in case selection methodology, appellate advocacy, and coalition-based litigation preferred.

2–4 hrs/month · 2-year term
06
Communications & Media

Senior communications professionals, journalists, or media strategists with experience in human rights advocacy communications, international media relations, or digital campaigning. Experience making complex legal issues accessible to non-specialist audiences essential.

2–4 hrs/month · 2-year term
Apply Now

Join the Advisory Council

Tell us about your background and the position you are interested in. We will respond within 5 working days. Self-nominations and nominations of colleagues are both welcome.