Senior Legal Counsel – Access to Justice at FIDA

Job Summary:

• Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the successful candidate will be expected to lead litigation, provide legal aid services to clients, manage all access to justice programs, develop and maintain relationships with partners, create awareness of women's and girls’ rights in the Western Kenya region and parts of Rift Valley, and supervise staff in the Access to Justice Department.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Leadership

• Oversee the implementation of all Access to Justice Programmes (Legal Representation, Pro Bono Lawyers Scheme,
• Mediation, Counseling/Group Therapy, Self-Representation, Strategic Impact Litigation, and Informal Justice Systems).
• Oversee day-to-day running of the regional office, including the legal aid clinic, virtual justice centre, and toll-free line.
• Mentor and supervise staff working in the Access to Justice team in Kisumu; ensure that staff meetings are held as required; coordinate and approve staff leave and conduct team appraisal.
• Approve all pleadings and other documents drafted by the Access to Justice team in Kisumu.
• Oversee the implementation of women's and girls’ rights, governance, and advocacy projects undertaken by the Access to Justice team in Kisumu.
• Monitor and evaluate programs and activities; prepare and oversee the preparation of the team’s work plans, result-based management reports, monthly team reports, and donor reports.

Legal Aid and Litigation

• Provide legal advice and referrals to clients.
• Draft pleadings and represent individual clients in Court.
• Conduct research and prepare pleadings in Strategic Impact Litigation cases.
• Draft legal opinions.
• Conduct community legal aid clinics and legal awareness forums.

Advocacy

• Liaise and partner with other NGOs, Government departments, or relevant bodies in gender-related advocacy at the regional, continental, and international levels; participate in partner meetings, engage in capacity-building trainings, and develop joint strategies on the protection of women's and girls’ rights.
• Draft petitions, memorandums and press briefings regarding gender and public interest matters affecting women and girls’ rights.
• Lobby and advocate for women's and girls’ rights at national and international levels.
• Design, research, and analyZe key policy issues and legislation affecting women and girls.
• Oversee commemoration of international days on Women and Girls’ rights advocacy.
• Organize and facilitate workshops and trainings on women's and girls' rights at national, county, and community levels.
• Support and collaborate with Grant Teams in the development of proposals, concept notes, and other resource mobilization strategies.
• Participate in preparing and disseminating the organizations' Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials and generate content for print media.

Other Duties

• Engage in various knowledge management initiatives organized by FIDA- Kenya and other partners.
• Enhance organization visibility through the use of social media.
• Coordinate membership activities at the regional level.
• Authorize financial expenditure at the regional level -approving requisitions, approving petty cash and litigation fund expenditure, and bank cash withdrawals.
• Oversee the timely and effective submission of financial reports.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Minimum Qualifications and Attributes
The ideal candidate should at least possess the following qualifications and attributes:

• An advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practising certificate, at least FIVE (5) YEARS post-admission experience, and a track record of high performance in litigation.
• A master's degree in Law or Social sciences and experience in the NGO sector are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in human rights advocacy and women and girls’ rights issues.
• Must possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, proficiency in computers, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Should be able to work under pressure.