Pendekezo Letu Legal Officer Job Opporutnity in Nairobi Kenya December 2014
Vacancy: Legal Officer
Based in Nairobi
Pendekezo Letu (PKL) meaning “our right to have a choice” in Kiswahili, is a Kenyan, non religious, non-governmental organization, which was established in 1997 and specializes in assisting young street girls, their families and other highly vulnerable children living in marginalized urban communities in Kenya to fully access their fundamental rights to a caring family environment, education, information, protection from neglect, violence and exploitation, justice, healthcare and consequently increase their opportunities for sustainable and equitable development.
PKL’s right-based, holistic approach includes the following key project interventions: Short term residential rehabilitation of young street children and their mainstreaming into the formal primary and secondary education; family tracing, reintegration and livelihood support for the street girls’ families;
infrastructural support development and the establishment of child rights and anti-AIDS clubs within primary schools; child protection and training of local NGOs/CBOs; essential outreach services for people living with HIV/AIDS; legal aid and follow up services for victims of child abuse and children in conflict with the law; residential training for teenage mothers in hairdressing/beauty and basic life skills; business credit for urban & rural-based women’s groups; and pro-poor policy advocacy
Job Description: Reporting to the Programme development Manager, the legal officer will be the organization’s focal person for the access to justice department, will provide free legal advice and representation to children in conflict with the law and any other legal matters affecting the organization externally, compiling narrative programme reports to be shared with donors and other stakeholders and ensuring that all activities carried out contribute to the organization’s various projects’ targeted outcomes as well as strengthen the resource mobilization of the organization
Duties and Responsibilities
Programming
- Head PKL’s access to justice department and act on children rights issues within PKL’s project areas.
- Formulation of projects that improve effective child participation.
- Represent in court of cases at the children court and follow up of cases under the paralegal project.
- Provide monthly, quarterly and annual work plans and reports to management on the Programme.
- Community mobilization, training and sensitization on Legal and Gender issues.
- Networking with stakeholders in the region.
- Assist in preparation of annual budgets
- Visit police stations and remand homes to identify children in conflict with the law in need of legal representation
- Provide quality legal representation in Nairobi juvenile court and other nearby courts for children in conflict with law.
- Liaise with Pendekezo Letu’s other staff members (notably the Social Workers) to facilitate the successful repatriation and rehabilitation of the released offenders.
- Assist in the preparation and modification of statutes affecting the rights of the child
- Assist to plan, develop, monitor & evaluate the legal aid programme, ensuring activities are implemented in accordance with the programme proposal & approved budgets
- Liaise with PKL social workers in strengthening child protection units at various police stations
- Submit purchase requisitions in regards to legal aid department in a timely manner.
- Prepare detailed case studies for each child and ensure all information is maintained in the office files
- Routinely attend meetings/workshops and submit a report on the issues discussed.
- Attend staff weekly planning meetings
- Assist in the orientation of new members of staff, volunteers, donor representatives and other guests with regards to the legal aid programme
Qualifications and Competencies
- Candidates must be a holder of a bachelor’s Degree in law (LLB) from a reputable University.
- A practising certificate is a MUST
- A minimum of one-year experience working in the Gender and/or Children sector.
- Knowledge in the current legislative agenda with regard to children issues.
- Skills and experience in project management
- Computer proficient
- Skills and experience in project management and computer proficient
- Excellent presentation, communication skills , writing skills
- Adaptable and able to relate with people from diverse backgrounds in the region.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision, handle multiple tasks and ability to work in a team-oriented environment
Please Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work to be performed.
But this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list qualifications, skills, efforts, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
How to Apply
If your background, experience and competencies match the specifications above, apply by sending your CV, cover letter, indicating your daytime telephone numbers, address and names of three referees, noting your expected salary range to pendekezoletu@gmail.com
Closing date for applications is on 2nd January 2015.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.