Fresher Legal Officer NGO Jobs – War Child Canada
Job Title: Legal Officer
Organization: War Child Canada
Reports to: Senior Legal Officer
Duty Station: Uganda
About US:
War Child Canada is an internationally recognized charity organization registered in Toronto, Canada that works with war-affected communities to help children reclaim their childhood through access to education, opportunity and justice. War Child Canada takes an active role in raising public awareness around the impact of war on communities and the shared responsibility to act. When war itself ends, the consequences endure. A lack of employment opportunities, the absence of effective economic or social structures, an under-educated population and a culture of impunity around rights violations combine to create conditions that make a return to conflict all too possible. But by making a long-term investment to create an environment in which childhood can thrive, the cycle of violence can be broken.
Job Summary: The Legal Officer is responsible for the management of the War Child Canada’s Uganda Legal Aid Clinic he/she is attached to. He/ She coordinates all the Legal Aid activities the project is to undertake, including clients’ management, awareness raising, and legal trainings. The incumbent also supervises the work and builds up the capacity of the legal team comprising of legal assistants and community based volunteers. He/ She will be actively engaged in the strategic development and implementation of the War Child Canada “Legal Defense Program for Women and Children in Northern Uganda.” The incumbent is in charge of ensuring a solid and effective cooperation with key partners of War Child Canada.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Responsible for the overall clients’ management system, including:
- Receiving, interviewing and developing an adequate legal intervention for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) that report to War Child Canada Legal Aid Clinic.
- Supervising the enforcement of the legal intervention through making sure the necessary evidence for each case is collected, legal documents are correctly drafted, clients are offered with the possibility of amicable mediation of their case, cases are adequately filed in court and any other legal action relevant to the specific case is carried out.
- Managing in close cooperation with the Senior Legal Officer, the process of court representation for those clients that are seeking to access the formal justice system.
- Referring clients to other services not provided by WCC Legal Aid Services, such as healthcare.
- Providing legal advice and counseling to vulnerable people whose claim falls outside War Child Canada mandate.
- Undertake regular Monitoring and Evaluation of the Legal Aid service provision against plans, document progress of implementation, lessons and results, and prepare and submit to the Senior Legal Officer and Project Manager, monthly, quarterly andannual reports.
- Line managing, supervising and capacity development of legal aid staff comprising of Legal Assistants and Community Based Volunteers.
- Attending Monthly Senior Paralegal Coordination Meetings at the regional level
- Conducting workshops and trainings on human rights, legal rights, women’s and children’s rights issues in close cooperation and coordination with the Training departments of War Child Canada, Uganda.
- Actively promoting legal and human rights awareness education within targeted communities and relevant actors within the justice system in cooperation and coordination with the Training and Outreach departments of War Child Canada.
- Developing and implementing radio programs, including legal panel discussion on relevant legal issues at the local radio station.
- Responsible for the implementation of work-plans and log-frames developed in cooperation with the project team and under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer.
- Responsible for fulfilling monthly narrative and statistical reports and to deliver these according to deadlines to the Senior Legal Officer and Program Manager.
- Carrying out legal research on national, regional and international legal framework when required.
- Providing support in developing public Legal Education resources.
- Networking with all relevant actors within the district including local and central authorities, INGOs, national NGOs, elders and the community
- Performing any other lawful duties as determined by the supervisor
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the War Child Canada Legal Officer job placement should hold a University degree in Law.
- At least two years of relevant experience in Legal Aid Service provision.
- Good lobbying and advocacy skills.
- Excellent communication skills both in written and spoken English, including report writing.
- Alternative dispute resolution skills
- Ability to mobilize communities and work with volunteer
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proven training and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrable computer knowledge and applications
- Strong team work with the ability to interact proactively and collaboratively with WCC and partners staff at all levels of the organization.
- Willingness to work in remote area.
- Previous experience working at a global organization, charity or law firm is an asset
- Prior experience of developing and using information systems and running a range of reports is desired
- Ability to travel, at times at short notice, and spend time away from work base and home.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of human rights and understanding of gender issues including SGBV.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should submit hard copies of their curriculum vitae and an accompanying cover letter in a sealed envelope to:
Human Resources Manager,
War Child Canada (WCC),
Block 244, Plot 1006, Muyenga. Kampala. Uganda
NB: Please ensure your application envelop has the subject heading of “Application for Legal Officer, WCC Uganda”
Deadline: 3rd May 2017 by 5:00pm