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Licensed attorney in good standing with the State of Illinois, USA. Ten years progressive research and professional experience in the MENA region. Significant experience in project design, management and strategy. Experience with program design, life cycles, budgets, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, supervision and implementation. Will relocate immediately. |
 Contact Margaret Zimmerman
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Area of Expertise: |
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Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
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Government, Governance, Reforms
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Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice
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Professional Experience: |
My career has been dedicated to the long-term strategic development of rule of law and provision of legal services. While a licensed attorney in the USA I have spent the entirety of my professional career with demonstrated international experience in Sudan, Costa Rica, Iraq, Italy, Germany, Libya, United Kingdom, Afghanistan, South Africa, Qatar and Egypt. I am an exceptionally diverse, well-educated, hard-working lawyer who prides herself on professional integrity and transparency. I’m currently looking for legal or development opportunities.
In my professional career, I have focused on the intersection of policy with practical applications in terms of strategic development and the sound provision of legal advice and services. In my current role as Legal Counsel within Qatar University, I represent the Office of the General Counsel in the provision of legal advice at the heart of this major regional University. My involvement was integral to the founding of the Office which was established in November 2014. More specifically my role has been to not only develop University policies, procedures and guidelines, provide legal services on all major agreements, tenders, contracts, serve as an advisor on corporate governance but to strategically further Qatar University’s overall vision. Thus, these subject matters range from risk management to safeguarding the hundreds of research activities undertaken at the University, formulation of robust capital projects contracts and request for proposals, protecting intellectual property, assisting in international partnerships and providing guidance on corporate governance.
In 2014, while with the UNDP in Libya I developed a long-term human rights portfolio focused on developing local capacity of national actors such as prosecutors, members of the judiciary and the national human rights institute. Moreover, as a core member of the Darfur Joint Assessment Mission with UNDP Sudan, I served as the governance, justice and rule of law expert for the Darfur Development Strategy. While at the International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences (ISISC), I provided technical assistance in prosecutorial and judicial capacity-building projects in Iraq and Afghanistan, legal research and writing as well as other developing topics within the office. Thus my experience in human rights, international law and strategy is well proven.
I am a strong communicator, proactive team player and an excellent manager who shines in an international environment. I aspire to work for a mission driven organisation that recognizes my diverse capabilities and cross-sector background in a rich international setting. I maintain an ‘above and beyond’ approach to work coupled with professional excellence and developing local capacity is illustrated throughout all of my education and professional experience.
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Education: |
2010-present
PhD in Law, Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland UK
•Dissertation: Protracted Conflict and the Pursuit of Justice: Transitional Justice in Darfur
•Sir Thomas Dixon Scholarship Recipient
2008-2010
Masters of Studies in International Human Rights Law, University of Oxford
Oxford, England UK
•Dissertation: How does the mandate of a UN peacekeeping operation support from post-conflict justice? A strategy for future implementation analyzing the case of Sierra Leone
2004-2007
Juris Doctor, DePaul University – College of Law
Chicago, Illinois USA
•Certificate in International and Comparative Law, focus in international human rights and humanitarian law
•Dean’s List: 2006, 2007
•Sullivan Human Rights Fellow: 205-2006
•Seminar Thesis: From State Courts to the ICTY and Back Again: The Dangerous Rule11bis
•Seminar Thesis: Holding Corporation’s Liable in a Globalised World
1998-2002
Bachelors of Arts, cum laude (Art History), John Cabot University
Rome, Italy
• Dean’s List: 2000, 2001, 2002
•Spring 2002: Outstanding Service Award in Art History
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
•National Association of College & University Attorneys
•Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice
•Humanitarian Practice Network
•International Criminal Law Network
•American Society of International Law
•Association Internationale de Droit Pénal
•Illinois State Bar Association
•Chicago Bar Association
•American Bar Association, Section of International Law
•International Visitors Center of Chicago
•Acting Together: Law, Advice, Support Network
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Available for: |
- Consulting assignments
- Job opportunities
- Being headhunted – make me an offer
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