Responsibilities:

The Legal and Policy Expert will work under the CEO on a range of projects for clients. Work will primarily be local/desk work, especially in the short term, but may involve field work over time. Initial responsibilities will include:

• Drafting regulations covering a wide variety of topics, such as customs/trade, immigration, environment, and security.
• Researching laws or administrative frameworks covering the above topics at the international level or in foreign countries.
• Analyzing and advising on proposed policies, laws, and regulations.
• Helping develop international investment protections for foreign investors in developing and post-conflict countries.
• Helping develop proposals and concept papers for special-status jurisdictions and new policies.
• Some work would be done through Refugee Cities, primarily on the development of proposals for the use of new special zones.

Nature of Work and Compensation:

In the near term, the Legal and Policy Associate will be an independent contractor and will be paid on a billed hourly basis at $60/hour. There should be approximately 25-30 billed hours per week during the initial startup phase. The position may become salaried depending on the abilities of the expert and the performance of the business.

Qualifications:

Essential:

Candidates must have:

• High ethical standards with the ability to maintain clients’ confidentiality. Background checks will be conducted.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills. English writing ability should be at least a native-level. Style must be natural, clear, and direct.

Additional Factors:

Candidates will be evaluated based on the following characteristics. No candidate is expected to have all of these characteristics.  Please reference the characteristics you have in your cover letter and describe how you have them

• Experience evaluating policies or legislation and drafting written analyses and recommendations
• Experience drafting legislation or regulations for foreign or domestic jurisdictions
• Juris Doctor (JD) from a U.S. law school, or LL.M from a U.S. Law School and/or foreign equivalent to a JD from a well-regarded foreign law school. (strongly preferred)
• Live in Los Angeles, CA and work from a physical office there
• If not in LA, live in a time zone that is +/- 3 hours from U.S. Pacific Time
• Women and/or minorities that are underrepresented in U.S. legal or policy professions
• Strong knowledge of international investment law and policy (e.g., bilateral / multilateral investment treaty protection, investment arbitration)
• Experience working in (or strong knowledge of) free trade zone / special economic zone law, policy, and economics
• Experience drafting contracts and agreements, especially investor-state agreements or memoranda of understanding
• Strong knowledge of urban planning and management and economic development policy
• Live in Los Angeles, CA and work from a physical office there
• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience clerking for a judge at the appellate level

Application Instructions:

Email to following to HR@politasconsulting.com

• Cover letter describing the characteristics you have from the above lists, and any other information you think is relevant
• Resume or CV

Please reference “Legal and Policy Expert” in the subject line.

Short-listed applicants will be asked for references. Writing sample and interviews may be requested from some applicants.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Ideally, a candidate will be chosen by mid-late January, 2018. However, the position may be kept open for longer if necessary.