FIDA/KSM/01/2020: Legal Counsel – Access to Justice, Kisumu at Federation Of Kenya Employers

FIDA/KSM/01/2020:

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel – Kisumu, the successful candidate will be expected to provide legal aid and representation services to clients, facilitate alternative dispute resolution programs, and participate in the implementation of women's rights advocacy programs in the Western region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Legal Aid and Litigation

• Conducts clients’ interviews; provides legal advice to clients; prepares pleadings and legal opinions; conducts pretrial briefings; and provides legal representation to clients.
• Assist in the coordination of open legal aid days and training workshops.
• Respond to legal correspondences: emails, letters, media briefs, and calls.
• Maintain effective client relations, offer basic psychosocial support to our clients, and refer complex matters to counselors.
• Identify, recruit, and refer matters to pro bono lawyers; conduct follow-ups on the pro bono cases; process payment of tokens to pro bono lawyers.
• Conduct self-representation trainings and assist in managing self rep program.

B. Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs

• Identify and refer matters for mediation and Informal Justice Systems; draft and dispatch mediation invitations; conduct mediation sessions and participate in strengthening the capacity of elders and mediators.
• Conduct Informal justice systems review meetings.

C. Program Implementation.

• Support the implementation of grants (projects) and preparation of donor reports while ensuring that program objectives/interventions and budget compliance are met.
• Assist in preparation of periodic progress reports such as RBM report, annual report, and donor reports.
• Participate in women and human rights advocacy activities including media appearances and outreach activities.

D. Building Partnerships and Linkages

• Represent the organization in meetings with stakeholders.
• Support the Resource Mobilization team to develop proposals and concept notes.
• Generate content for print media and IEC materials.
• Enhancing the visibility of FIDA-Kenya programs.

Minimum Qualifications and Attributes:

The ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications and attributes: -

• An advocate of the High Court of Kenya with at least THREE (3) years post-admission experience with a valid practicing certificate. Previous experience in the NGO sector is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in litigation and knowledge in gender & women’s rights issues.
• Should have knowledge of program planning, designing, monitoring & evaluation.
• Must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, proficiency in computers, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work under pressure.