About US:
The African Prisons Project is an international non-profit organization that works to restore dignity and hope to prisoners across Africa. APP works holistically to change the way that criminal justice issues are addressed in the countries in which we work and empower prisoners to drive positive change. We work with Prison Service leaders who wish to develop services and policies in line with our mission and welcome our support. We pursue these changes in a two pronged approach. Firstly, by focusing on rising stars and senior management of the prison services, providing them with the skills needed to reform and improve prison systems. Secondly, by providing scholarships and training to prisoners and prisons staff pursuing legal degrees or diplomas through distance learning programmes, to support them act as educators and legal advisers to prisoners and to then take this knowledge of the law to the poorest communities upon release.

Job Summary: The Paralegal Manager (Law) will support the Senior Paralegal Manager in systematising the support provided by the students by setting up Drop-in-Legal Advice clinics in the prisons in Uganda and Kenya where our students are located. This initiative will be very much student centered and will be led by current and new scholars. The core service of our Drop-in Legal Advice Clinics will be an open-door drop-in sessions where prisoners simply turn up, and are given on-the-spot face to-face legal advice by the students under our leadership. Working under supervision and support from the paralegal teams and practicing lawyers, students will interview and assess clients, research the enquiry, and then give information and generalist advice. There is also the option to refer clients to the clinic’s volunteer lawyers/advocates to give support, guidance and specialist advice in a number of practice areas. This will intensively develops their interview skills, practical legal knowledge and understanding of client care-in particular, learning to be non-judgmental and non-discriminatory towards clients and their problems, and providing the best possible service within the time-constraints of a busy drop-in service.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Senior Paralegal, the Paralegal will be responsible for assisting in carrying out the structures required for the smooth operation of Drop-in-Legal Advice Clinics, and ensuring efficient operation and timely implementation of various planned activities, and fulfill the necessary management requirements of the clinics.
· The Paralegal is responsible for supporting in the implementation of the charities strategic paralegal initiatives around our Drop-in-Legal Advice clinics. This includes project managing new clinics and ensuring that the operations are effective and efficient, activities are managed well, and the model is easily transferable from prison to prison. Will work at all times with the prison rules and our charities policies and procedures.
· The incumbent will identify and co-ordinate with the Senior Paralegal new developments, such as those relating to the clinics, models of delivery and partnership working, through regular review and investigation of new opportunities.
· The job holder will actively engage in appropriate committees, working groups and other activities to maintain strong and productive external networks.
· Responsible for ensuring that standards and quality of paralegal delivery is maintained and developed.
· Assist and support in the setting up of the clinics (in various prisons) and the implementation of all relevant activities. Undertake regular visits to the project sites to understand the ground situation and take necessary actions for improvement in project implementation.
· Provide support to the Senior Paralegal in the development of a handbook on the best practice procedures and processes; and internal requirements and regulations on how the Drop-in Legal Advice Clinic will operate.
· Help in the development of relevant policies and relevant documents to guide the operation of the Legal Advice Clinics.
· Support the Senior Paralegal in creating training materials and manuals and help to conduct necessary trainings and workshops required for the efficient and effective implementation of activities in the Legal Advice Clinic.
· Take lead in the filing and follow up of cases particularly appeal cases, to ensure timely outcomes. Support the research on relevant cases and other supporting authorities/material required to enable the provision of quality advice within the clinic.
· Support in the carrying out of research to understand the current situation including; the prevailing challenges in accessing justice in the project sites; recommend changes and improvements, work with key influencers in the prison service and in the community to inform the design of relevant interventions to address identified gaps.
· Significantly contribute to income generation activities to support the paralegal clinics including networking, talking at events and acting as an ambassador for the services you are leading for the charity.
· Key aspects will be to ensure that through good project management and leadership skills all activities are delivered to a high standard and have been achieved using professional ethics and consensus management, to include all key parties both within the charity but also within the prison services.
· Perform any other duties as reasonably requested by the Leadership Director and other project staff.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The ideal candidate should preferably hold a good degree in law, social work, public health (2.1 or above).
· Project or Business Management qualifications are desired e.g. Prince2
· A minimum of three years’ knowledge and understanding of delivering and setting up paralegal type services is an added advantage
· A minimum of three years or more experience of project management, including setting up various programmes in similar situations e.g. prisons, judiciary, or drop-in clinics.
· A minimum of three years of delivering excellence as a project manager.
· In depth knowledge of project reporting and collecting Monitoring and Evaluation data is desired
· Broad working knowledge and understanding of cutting-edge legal partnerships.
· Working knowledge of delivering similar type programmes.
· Two years or more experience in using project management software/tools and report writing but also include producing in-depth financial budgets and cost analysis.
· Previous experience in setting up NGO projects in a field environment, ideally Africa or similar.
· Advanced oral and writing skills, and an ability to create documents including manuals and presentations; excellent interpersonal skills; IT skills appropriate to an office or NGO (field) environment
· Previous experience in dealing with Prison Commissioners and an ability to work consultatively within democratic structures but also to be in sympathy with our aims, objectives and values and to demonstrate high levels of commitment and maintaining highest possible working standards and outputs.
· Demonstrated ability to take initiatives in developing relationships, initiatives and options for action that might benefit the charities drop-in clinics aims
· Excellent track record of excellent research outputs or equivalent engagement with knowledge development in policy or practice contexts.
· Previous experience leading legal activities and producing appropriate manuals/policies.
· Prior exposure and experience in creating training documents and manuals to support prison programmes.
· Project Management experience in NGO or similar type organisations.
· Previous experience working in an NGO who supports prisoners or who has links with the judiciary.
· An outstanding and innovative project manager and leader of people with proven results/SLA’s achieved.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
· Demonstrable management and organisational skills.
· Skills and competencies, supported by measurable outputs.
· An articulate and confident manner, demonstrating sensitivity and diplomacy in order to develop good relationships and solicit support.
· Proactive and positive approach, a willingness to take the lead in ensuring the goals and objectives of the project are achieved.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle a variety of concurrent activities.
· Highly organised and flexible approach to work with the ability to prioritise workload under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.
· Excellent analytical skills
· Proven ability to speak the local language (Luo) will be an added advantage

Job Terms and Conditions: We offer a competitive remuneration and plenty of scope for learning and development. This is not a family duty station. The candidate will be expected to spend time both in Kenya, Uganda and in the UK. The contract duration is 12 months, with a strong likelihood that this will be extended annually depending on performance against objectives.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send an updated CV and covering letter to Peter R. Tibigambwa, Country Director, African Prisons Project via E-mail to, petertibigambwa@africanprisons.org.