Business and Human Rights Legal Advisor and Researcher

Role Overview

The Legal Advisor and Researcher works within Amnesty International’s Business and Human Rights team to pursue accountability when companies are linked to human rights abuses, including conduct that may cross the threshold into criminality. Day to day, the role combines field and desk investigation, legal analysis, and strategic advice: mapping corporate footprints and money trails, assessing possible offences, and helping colleagues identify the most credible routes to justice. The position also acts as an internal reference point on international human rights law for teams producing research, campaigns, standards work, and litigation on business-related harms.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide Amnesty International’s corporate crimes and accountability project, including its strategic direction, grant-funded deliverables, and relationships with key partners and supporters.
• Carry out investigative research—both remote and on location—into corporate conduct that may breach legal obligations, violate human rights, or amount to criminal offences.
• Trace corporate structures, ownership networks, and financial flows using a range of investigative methods to establish who is responsible and how impunity is maintained.
• Provide legal research and advice on possible criminal offences and on the national, regional, and international avenues available to pursue justice.
• Draft or commission written material that supports law enforcement agencies and other authorities in investigating cases involving corporate actors.
• Represent Amnesty International as a lead expert on corporate crimes in casework, external engagements, networks, and fundraising efforts.
• Advise on the strategic use of human rights mechanisms, procedures, and tribunals to advance business and human rights priorities and corporate accountability.
• Review reports, amicus briefs, press releases, and other outputs created by colleagues for legal accuracy and consistency with international human rights law, while contributing to standard-setting, litigation, and the wider work of the Business and Human Rights team.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A professional legal qualification allowing practice in at least one jurisdiction, or recognition as an outstanding professional international lawyer, together with experience in legal practice.
• A professional qualification or extensive knowledge and experience in applying international law, including international human rights law, humanitarian law, and international criminal law.
• A professional qualification or extensive knowledge and experience in domestic criminal law, corporate law, and/or economic law.
• Demonstrated experience investigating human rights-related corporate crimes and identifying and pursuing legal routes to justice at national and international levels.
• Strong investigative research skills, including desk and field methods, with the ability to examine corporate structures and financial flows.
• Excellent legal analysis and writing ability, including experience preparing or reviewing reports, briefs, or advocacy materials.
• Experience representing an organisation before external stakeholders, such as legal authorities, partner networks, and funders.
• Proven capacity to lead a project or workstream, including strategic planning, grant delivery, and stakeholder relationship management.

What We Offer / Why Join

• The role can be based in London, Johannesburg, or Nairobi, with salary determined by the successful candidate’s location.
• A chance to contribute to Amnesty International’s work to secure accountability for corporate human rights abuses, including conduct that amounts to crimes.
• Collaboration with colleagues across the International Secretariat on legal advice, research, campaigns, standard-setting, and litigation related to business and human rights.
• Regular engagement with law enforcement, human rights bodies, tribunals, and external networks to advance justice for abuses involving companies.