Legal System Specialist

International Justice Mission; Kuala Lumpur; Sur place; MYR 80 000 - 120 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

International Justice Mission (IJM) Malaysia is seeking a Legal System Specialist based in Kuala Lumpur. You will manage legal investigations and prosecutions relating to human trafficking and forced labour, liaising with government officials, prosecutors and NGOs to secure justice for survivors.

The role demands strong legal expertise, cross‑cultural leadership, and a commitment to ethical standards. You will report to the Country Director and support capacity building across partners.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in law preferred; L.L.M. is advantageous.
• Bachelor’s degree in law (L.L.B) recognised by Malaysia's Legal Profession Qualifying Board.
• Admission as advocate and solicitor in Malaysia is required.
• 5–7 years’ experience in criminal law practice or related NGO/corporate work.

Responsabilités

• Lead IJM Malaysia legal intervention activities to global standards.
• Manage the legal docket for IJM Malaysia cases and objectives.
• Develop relationships with prosecutors, court officials, lawyers, police and NGOs.
• Prepare briefs, memoranda and court arguments; develop litigation plans.
• Support public prosecutors and survivor-centred legal work.

Connaissances

Effective communication

Verbal English & Bahasa Malaysia

Leadership & coaching

Formation

Master’s Degree in Law (L.L.M.)

Bachelor’s Degree in Law (L.L.B)

Malaysian Admittance as Advocate & Solicitor

Description du poste

# Legal System Specialist* MalaysiaEmail us about this job opening## **Who We Are**International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve. ## **The Need**For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Legal System Specialist to manage, directly and through other service providers, support for investigations and prosecutions in cases of human trafficking in Malaysia. The Specialist will liaise with government officials, and legal and survivor service professionals in order to secure justice for victims of forced labour and human trafficking crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. The Legal Specialist will provide and facilitate training and guidance to government and NGO partners on legal issues related to forced labour and human trafficking. She or he will set a standard of excellent preparation and performance, hard work, empathy, and the highest ethical standards. The qualified candidate will be a smart, motivated, analytical, and high-achieving Malaysian lawyer with a passion to protect the poor and vulnerable from violence by using their legal skills.***This position is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and reports to Country Director, Malaysia and is only available for candidates with the right to work in Malaysia.***## **Responsibilities**Leadership and Management* Ensure IJM Malaysia legal intervention activities adhere to global IJM standards, and the highest standards of legal and professional ethics;* Manage all aspects of the legal docket pertaining to IJM Malaysia cases;* Manage and ensure legal activities and objectives are achieved;* Provide timely, concise and thorough reports on achievements and challenges;* Ensure full implementation of IJM Malaysia grant obligations regarding legal casework and capacity building.Casework* Fully understand criminal code and procedure as well as current and future laws and procedure related to forced labour and human trafficking crimes;* Develop and apply specialized expertise in labour trafficking law, evidentiary challenges and accountability approaches, and support government stakeholders in strengthening labour trafficking investigations, prosecutions and adjudication outcomes;* Analyze trafficking and forced labour case trends and identify opportunities to strengthen accountability outcomes;* Support the development and application of labour trafficking prosecution guidance and related legal learning products;* Guide IJM Malaysia’s strategy to support public prosecutors in forced labour and human trafficking criminal cases;* Develop relationships with prosecutors, court officials, lawyers, police and NGOs with whom IJM and its partners can collaborate in forced labor exploitation and human trafficking;* Consult with IJM Malaysia program partners and their legal counsel, as applicable, to strengthen legal strategies and cases;* Lead preparation of written briefs, memoranda and arguments for use in court;* Develop and implement litigation plans for each case;* Pursue criminal and civil remedies for victims of forced labor and human trafficking;* Represent victims in criminal court proceedings including pre-trial hearings, trial and appeal, as well as civil proceedings;* Obtain accountability for perpetrators through conviction, asset seizure, or other penalties, and justice for victims, including compensation or payment of unpaid wages;* Advise the IJM Malaysia Law enforcement Liaison in preparation of cases;* Provide legal expertise and support to the IJM Malaysia Social Services Specialist on survivor justice and participation initiatives, including identifying and addressing legal and procedural barriers to survivor engagement. Contribute to the development and refinement of survivor-centred approaches and participation mechanisms that strengthen access to justice throughout investigations, prosecutions, and court proceedings.Partnership and Capacity Building* Identify, develop and manage networks of lawyers, legal practitioners, prosecutors and other accountability actors that can strengthen trafficking and forced labour accountability efforts;* Design, deliver and support training, learning exchanges, technical guidance and capacity-strengthening initiatives that improve trafficking and forced labour investigations, prosecution, adjudication and survivor-centred legal practice among government authorities, legal practitioners and other IJM Malaysia partners;* Develop legal guidance, case analyses, legal briefs and learning resources that strengthen trafficking and forced labour accountability and support government ownership of effective legal practices;* Contribute to trafficking case law resources, legal reference tools and prosecutorial learning initiatives;* Capture, document and disseminate legal lessons learned from casework, accountability efforts and legal system engagement.Legal Systems Strengthening and Reform* Support development, testing and institutionalization of legal and accountability approaches that strengthen trafficking and forced labour responses;* Conduct legal research and analysis on trafficking, forced labour and related legal system challenges;* Provide legal analysis, technical recommendations and subject matter expertise to support accountability reform, legal system strengthening and anti-trafficking policy discussions.General Accounting & Statutory Compliance* Support development of annual budget for legal casework and capacity building activities and manage spending of funds in accordance with IJM Malaysia’s budget and stewardship principles.General Task* Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, IJM policies and best practices;* Update and use IJM’s casework tracking systems and other data collection, monitoring and evaluation tools;* Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by the Country Director.## **Qualifications:**Education & Experience * Master’s Degree in Law preferred (L.L.M.);* Bachelor’s Degree in Law (L.L.B) recognized by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board Malaysia required;* Admission as an advocate and solicitor in Malaysia required;* Minimum 5-7 years’ experience practicing law in criminal court, a corporate legal department or as a litigator at a private law firm or NGO.* Effective communication that enhances productivity and facilitates positive workplace relationships;* Strong research, writing and verbal communication skills in English and Bahasa Malaysia;* Effective presentation skills.Critical Qualities* Resilient and works well under stress with a sustained positive attitude;* Proven ability to lead cross-culturally to achieve significant outcomes and impact;* Strong leadership, management and coaching ability with high level of emotional intelligence;* Ability to mitigate conflict or disagreement in a professional manner.## **Application Process:**Please submit your Resume/CV and Cover Letter to **[e-mail]** not later than 6 November 2026.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.*IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assess the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.**IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.****Disclaimer:*** *Monroe Consulting Group is our appointed external recruitment partner for this position. Please note that all applications must be submitted to the email address provided, which belongs to Monroe Consulting Group and not IJM. This arrangement is part of our official recruitment process for this role.*