About US:
The Refugee Law Project (RLP) is an outreach project of the School of Law, Makerere University. Our Mission is to empower asylum seekers, refugees, deportees, IDPs and host communities to enjoy their human rights and lead dignified lives. Refugee Law Project’s work is currently structured in five thematic areas: Access to Justice; Conflict, Transitional Justice & Governance (CTJ&G), Gender & Sexuality; Mental Health & Psychosocial Wellbeing; and Media for Social Change.
Job Summary: The Legal Assistant provides specific legal assistance to the assigned Legal officer and office in the provision of direct legal support to victims of forced migration and in carrying out policy advocacy on forced migration. The Legal Assistant also provides technical support to RLP in relation to Legal work through an active contribution in defining Legal priorities on research, partnership, alliance building and advocacy. The depth and scope of legal assistance work can be modified but within the major precincts of; Legal Service, Legal Documentation and Legal Advocacy.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Client Support:
The community Paralegal will receive clients and visitors, carryout initial needs assessment and direct them to the relevant officer(s);
Offer research support to the Legal Officers on cases; support the Legal Officers in Investigations including locating relevant witnesses for cases and also support in interviewing clients and witnesses and prepare report(s) on the interview for the Legal Officer and providing quotes to clients.
Networking, Advocacy and Awareness Raising: Actively participate in community education and raising awareness on forced migration, International Human Rights, Refugee Law and also participate in relevant field visits to refugee and IDP settlements and other places such as police stations and prisons.
Information Management Support:
The Community Paralegal will carry out other clerkship responsibilities including; filing, taking and responding to legal related correspondences as necessary;
Provide support in basic psychosocial counseling for clients; prepare legal documents; research cases and any pertinent legal information needed and also help legal officers prepare for court cases, including opening and closing arguments and aiding in court pleadings or motions
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the Refugee Law Project (RLP) Legal Assistant job opportunity must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from a recognized university
Previous exposure and experience in representing clients before any quasi-judicial other governing bodies
Previous experience in engaging with key partners on legal-related issues
Possession of a practicing certificate will be an added advantage
Ability to operationalize legal assignments;
Ability to give timely report on activities undertaken;
Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision;
Highly creative and innovative skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills and high level of self-motivation;
Computer literacy skills with proficiency in MS Office applications
Excellent communication and presentation skills;
Good touch typing skills of at least 30Words Per Minute;
Fluency in Kiswahili and/or any other language spoken in refugee communities will be an added advantage
Knowledge of Kiswahili and/or any other language spoken in refugee communities will be an added advantage
How to Apply:
If you meet the above requirements and are interested, we encourage you to address motivation letter and updated CV to the Human Resources Manager via E-mail to recruitment@refugeelawproject.org. Please indicate the position applied for in the subject line of the email. Copies of certificates should not be attached, but will be requested for from short-listed candidates only.
Deadline: Friday, 7th April 2017 by 5.00pm