U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CRIMINAL DIVISION
RESIDENT LEGAL ADVISOR - KOSOVO
About the Office: The mission of the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) is to develop and administer technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and their law enforcement personnel, so those institutions and their personnel can more effectively combat terrorism, organized crime, corruption, financial crimes, trafficking in persons and other types of crime, in a manner consistent with the rule of law, and can more effectively cooperate regionally and with the United States in combating such crimes.
Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The Office seeks an experienced Assistant United States Attorney or Department of Justice Trial Attorney to serve as a Resident Legal Advisor (RLA) in Pristina, Kosovo. This assignment is for a term of one year. A possibility for a one-year extension exists, contingent on additional funding. (This is an unaccompanied, reimbursable detail.) The RLA will represent the Department of Justice and OPDAT at the United States Embassy at Pristina, the capital of the newly independent Kosovo, and in dealings with other international donors, and will coordinate Departmental justice sector reform efforts in Kosovo. Important responsibilities include providing assistance regarding the reorganization of the prosecution service and the judiciary; advising the newly established Ministry of Justice, the Kosovo Judicial Council, and the Kosovo Special Prosecutor’s Office; managing skills development assistance for prosecutors concerning the investigation and prosecution of complex crimes such as organized crime, war crimes, trafficking in persons, terrorism, money laundering; providing technical assistance regarding asset forfeitures; developing a comprehensive commentary on the criminal procedure code that will serve as guide to local prosecutors for the application of the criminal procedure code, with an emphasis on plea bargaining; and establishing a legal clinic curriculum and program within the Pristina University Law Faculty.
Qualifications: Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia. Applicants must be a current Department Trial Attorney or Assistant United States Attorney and have at least four or five years of post J.D. experience to be qualified at the GS-14 or 15 level. Applicants must have the ability to function effectively in an international, multi-cultural environment and possess excellent interpersonal and management skills, be mature and self-sufficient, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and possess extensive prosecution experience.
Preferred qualifications: Specific comparative experience with criminal justice systems in Central and Eastern Europe or general comparative experience with continental criminal legal systems is desired. Proficiency in the Albanian or Serbian language would be beneficial, but is not required. Previous RLA experience is also desirable.
Travel: The position requires frequent travel within the region.
Salary Information: Current salary and years of experience determine the appropriate salary level. (See OPM's Web page at http://www.opm.gov/oca/payrates/index.htm)
Location: The RLA will be stationed in Pristina, Kosovo beginning in the early fall of 2008.
Relocation Expenses: Personal relocation expenses are authorized.
Submission Process and Deadline Date: Interested applicants should obtain the concurrence of their Section Chief, Office Director, or U.S. Attorney prior to submitting an application and send a resume and cover letter as soon as possible to the attention of Nicholas S. Acker, Regional Director, Central and Eastern Europe, United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division/OPDAT, 10th and Pennsylvania Aves., NW, Washington, D.C. 20530. Mr. Acker’s fax number is (202) 616-6770. E-mailed submissions are also acceptable. Mr. Acker’s email address is: Nicholas.Acker@usdoj.gov.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.