Leitung der Rechtsabteilung (m/w/d)

Systemic Justice is a unique human rights NGO that sees the world differently. We work to radically transform how the law works for communities fighting for racial, social, and economic justice. Because we believe that those most impacted by systemic injustice should be at the centre of judicial remedy, we partner with communities to co-create and co-implement litigation strategies, and litigate cases that challenge the structures perpetuating inequality, injustice and harm. You could call it an applied philosophy of law.

Systemic Justice operates three legal workstreams. Legal programmes help to create the conditions for communities to engage more effectively with strategic litigation as a tool for change on their own terms, while legal casework involves developing and pursuing strategic litigation cases that challenge systemic injustices. And we are committed to building a Community of Practice which enables lawyers to understand and embrace a more community-centred approach to their work.

This role oversees all three workstreams, plus strategic and operational leadership of our expert legal team and practice. So it’s a far broader remit than merely litigation: working with communities (including legal peers) on building capacity and knowledge is just as important to our mission, and you must show that you understand the fundamental integration of these aspects.

Relevant career paths for strong candidates could include a managing lawyer or legal director with litigation experience, to a senior leader within an NGO whose background is in legal practice and litigation, or a chief legal officer / head of litigation. You must also bring an absolute commitment to community leadership, the ability to build meaningful relationships with diverse groups, and a passion for making strategic litigation more accessible and powerful for justice movements.

The Head of Legal oversees all aspects of Systemic Justice’s legal work, including working with the leadership team in designing, implementing and operationalising relevant aspects of the organisational mission, vision and strategy.

They are also responsible for ensuring smooth and efficient day-to-day running of the legal team and practice, including by overseeing successful delivery of Systemic Justice’s community-centred knowledge-building activities and community-driven litigation efforts.

In managing the key roles in the legal team, they ensure the delivery of quality legal programmes and community-centred services in accordance with the values and strategy of the organisation.

Furthermore, the role will support and grow the legal team to meet the needs of the communities Systemic Justice collaborates with and assists.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The person holding this position will play a crucial leadership role and will support the overall mission of the organisation by:

Building communities’ knowledge and power

• overseeing the development of a structured, integrated, and impactful strategic litigation learning journey that meets the full needs of the communities we work with;
• providing direct support to implement, operationalise and refine the learning journey, including in response to community feedback;
• capturing, communicating and advocating for Systemic Justice’s learning-centred approach to community-driven strategic litigation as a way of driving towards systemic change.

Community-driven litigation

• developing trust-based equitable partnerships and the SJ legal team's ways of working with communities that put communities in the driving seat when it comes to strategic litigation;
• guiding and supporting the development of litigation strategies that reflect and meet the needs, vision, goals, and priorities of community partners;
• leading the development and management of all cases in alignment with SJ's values and community-driven approach;
• developing, refining, documenting and advocating for the SJ methodology to strategic litigation to attract more communities and support for our work.

Knowledge sharing amongst legal practitioners

• overseeing the development, curation, and coordination of a Community of Practice, including through the delivery of projects that promote more equitable models of lawyering;
• sharing Systemic Justice’s approach to community-driven litigation and key learnings with legal practitioners in the Community of Practice; 
• fostering collaboration between the Community of Practice and Systemic Justice’s legal team where it can support the organisation’s knowledge-building and litigation work in a valuesaligned way.

Leading the legal team

• managing and supporting the legal team, and acting as a focal point and role model for Systemic Justice’s litigation work and legal programmes by providing oversight, guidance, support, and coordination;
• developing, and supporting the legal team’s workplans and progress; • coordinating and maintaining efficient lines of communication and effective working dynamics between the legal team and other functions/teams within Systemic Justice;
• developing and maintaining, in collaboration with Operations, systems, networks, and relationships with service providers that help strengthen and sustain Systemic Justice’s legal work;
• being a values-aligned role model that represents SJ’s approach to strategic litigation for both the legal team and the wider legal community. Governance and organisational development
• participating, assisting, and providing input on internal activities relevant to strategic vision, effective management and sustainability of the organisation;
• fostering mutual support and collaboration between the legal team and other functions in the organisation, including communications, fundraising, and operations, for the successful delivery of legal programmes and casework.

KEY PRACTICES

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate a high level of competency in the following key practices:

Community-driven lawyering approach

• Can identify and develop litigation strategies and potential cases through active engagement with communities most impacted, ensuring their voices and needs are central to the work. This involves building trust, conducting community consultations, and co-creating legal approaches that align with community goals and experiences.
• Manages litigation processes in partnership with communities, legal teams, and other stakeholders, integrating continuous learning and evaluation. This approach ensures that cases remain aligned with community needs throughout the legal process and maximises the potential for systemic impact.
• Applies an intersectional lens to identify legal cases with potential for broad systemic impact, considering multiple forms of discrimination and oppression. Can develop comprehensive legal strategies that address the interconnected nature of social injustices and aim for outcomes that create far-reaching change.
• Communicates complex legal concepts and case developments to partners in accessible and culturally appropriate ways. Provides ongoing support to communities throughout the litigation process, ensuring they are informed, leading, and emotionally supported.

Visionary and pragmatic leadership

• Can imagine and articulate innovative, inspiring, and transformative future possibilities for strategic litigation. This involves looking beyond current constraints to approach challenges through an intersectional lens, effectively sharing knowledge, inspiring and guiding others to envision new solutions and directions that can drive meaningful change and progress.
• Able to effectively lead and implement change initiatives in the legal work. This involves anticipating and planning for transitions in strategic direction, operational processes, and programmatic activities to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and impact. Can create conditions for organisational resilience through flexible planning and thoughtful innovation, balancing immediate needs with future opportunities.
• Able to effectively exchange information, ideas, and emotions between individuals and within teams. This is crucial for fostering collaboration, resolving conflicts, and creating a positive work environment that aligns with the organisation's mission and values.
• Builds confidence and capability by delegating meaningful work with appropriate support, giving team members autonomy over how they accomplish objectives. Demonstrates trust through transparent communication and creates opportunities for growth and expanded responsibility.
• Establishes clear expectations and takes responsibility for outcomes while supporting others to do the same. Models integrity in all actions and addresses challenges directly through a valuesaligned approach.
• Develops and manages work plans, timelines, and resources for complex, long-term legal projects, ensuring efficient use of resources and effective coordination among team members and stakeholders. This includes setting clear goals, monitoring progress, and adapting strategies as needed.

Intersectional and anti-oppressive leadership

• Able to identify, challenge and transform legal and social structures that perpetuate discrimination, marginalisation, and oppression through intentional practices that centre the impacted and promote equitable outcomes.
• Considers how multiple identities and systems of oppression impact workplace experiences, adapting management style to meet diverse needs and ensure equitable access to opportunities.
• Has a deep understanding of intersectionality, as well as an ability to analyse power dynamics, and implement solutions that address root causes of inequality while building just and sustainable alternatives.
• Can identify and address potential biases in management practices, decision-making processes, and team dynamics. Able to implement structured approaches to minimise bias impact while guiding others in recognising and addressing their own biases.
• Can create psychologically safe environments that embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster genuine belonging for all team members. Actively works to address power imbalances and ensure all voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes. This includes an ability to understand, regulate and navigate emotions and demonstrate emotional resilience.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Extensive experience in litigation practice, ideally with a track record of impact through legal cases;
• Proven ability in managing teams of both lawyers and non-lawyers in the context of multiple legal programmes and projects;
• Excellent leadership and strategic thinking abilities, with demonstrated ability to build litigation strategies;
• Proven ability to be self-reflective and self-aware, with an openness to learning and being challenged in their lawyering practices;
• Passion for radically transforming how the law can serve communities experiencing and campaigning against injustice, and for using the law progressively towards systemic change;
• Proven commitment to anti-oppression, intersectionality, and justice in previous work;
• Proven experience working with communities fighting for racial, social, climate or economic justice;
• Strong written and verbal communications with the ability to make complex information accessible;
• Highly proficient in legal research and writing, with track record in working across different jurisdictions and legal contexts;
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to build trust across difference and cultural contexts; and
• Fluent in written and verbal English, additional languages highly valued.

Our work is rooted in our foundational values of anti-oppression, intersectionality, and justice. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the injustices we work to address, as well as people who examine their unconscious bias and take responsibility for creating diverse, equitable, inclusive work environments.  We invite anyone who does not have lived experience with systems of oppression to reflect on their suitability for this role, and (if they choose to apply) to address this at the outset.

Click the Apply Now button further down and send in your application.

For more information, please visit https://lead-systemicjustice.co.uk If you have any queries that are not covered in the candidate materials, you can email us at systemicjustice-hol@cadencepartners.co.uk   Alternative formats for candidate information may be requested at your initial contact.

Closing date: 7 May 2025.