Senior Legal Adviser, Europe

 Job Title: Senior Legal Adviser, Europe 

Department: GAR, Europe 

Center Background: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights worldwide. With offices in New York City, and Washington, D.C.; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; and Geneva, Switzerland, the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 270+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center's human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center's exceptional growth to an operating budget of over $60 million and won the respect of law firms in countries around the world. Our global pro bono network includes over 2,000 lawyers across 6 continents, 64 countries, and 130 law firms. Last year, law firms contributed over $30 million USD in pro bono legal services. The Center's Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world's population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they were in 2020. The Center has a record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. The Center has also led development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights. It has built the legal capacity of women's rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting. To learn more about the Center, please go to  

The Job: Reporting to the Associate Director for National Legal Strategies, Europe, the Senior Legal Adviser is responsible for developing and implementing legal and policy strategies to advance and protect reproductive rights in Europe, and works closely with other Europe program staff to ensure alignment with the regional Work Plan and the Center's Strategic Plan. 

This position will be based remotely in Brussels or Berlin, or in the Center's office in Geneva. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• In collaboration with the Associate Director for National Legal Strategies, develop and implement legal and policy strategies to advance legal and policy reform on thematic reproductive rights priorities and defend against regression in relevant focus countries. 
• Partner with the Associate Director for National Legal Strategies to develop and implement the regional Work Plan in accordance with the Strategic Plan, and support other institutional processes as requested. 
• Develop and strengthen national-level partnerships with civil society organizations, policy makers and other key stakeholders in agreed focus countries. 
• Deliver high quality programmatic outputs for regional country and thematic priorities, including drafting legal documents, advocacy materials and other written outputs, and designing human rights documentation strategies. 
• Implement advocacy, litigation and communication strategies and activities at national, regional, and international levels as relevant to advancing legal and policy change on thematic priorities in relevant focus countries.  
• Design and deliver presentations, training modules and capacity building initiatives.  
• In collaboration with the Associate Director for Program Operations, support the Europe department's development and implementation of compliance policies relevant to the Center's work in Europe, including on issues relating to lobbying and the GDPR.  
• In collaboration with the Associate Director for Europe and the Senior Pro Bono Adviser for Europe, cultivate pro bono partnerships and develop and implement projects with law firms, law associations, and law schools in the region to leverage the Center's work. 
• Organize convenings, workshops, and other events and assist with preparation of presentations for conferences and meetings. 
• Represent the Center externally on matters related to reproductive rights in Europe through public speaking and engagement with the media. 
• Support the development of DEI initiatives for the Center in Europe and globally.   
• Support fundraising strategies, including through research and drafting materials, as requested. 
• Assist with the recruitment and supervision of junior staff, fellows, interns, volunteers, pro bono lawyers, and law school clinics, as needed. 
• Regional travel is required. 

Qualifications: 

• Graduate degree in law, international human rights law, EU law or related area of law required. Being licensed to practice law in an EU member state is an asset. 
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, human rights, or related social justice field. 
• Strong background in international and European human rights law, standards and systems, and EU law. Experience in conducting advocacy or litigation before international and regional human rights mechanisms or with EU institutions and processes desirable. 
• Experience in national level advocacy and legal or policy reform strategies in Europe, and in collaborating and partnering with NGOs and other civil society actors to achieve social justice goals. 
• Knowledge of European laws, policies, and practices concerning sexual and reproductive rights desirable. 
• Project management experience, including experience in planning and executing a variety of events and of leading projects or specific efforts. 
• Strong commitment to the Center's mission, purpose, and values. 
• Fluency in written and spoken English and at least one other European language. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including drafting and editing.  
• Strong legal research and analytical skills and ability to process complex information.  
• Strong critical thinking skills and creative approach.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively. 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including ability to self-motivate, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines.  
• Ability to work in a multicultural, diverse, and performance-driven environment. 
• Ability to travel for work. 

Compensation:  The center offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience.  

Application Deadline: Please submit applications no later than 30 November, 2025.

Expected Start Date: February 2nd, 2026.

Activity Rate: 100% 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role but unsure about whether your experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. To learn more about the Center's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights.