Country: Uganda
Closing date: 25 Jul 2016
Key Role:
The Legal Officer is responsible for attending to clients under primary legal aid and offering secondary legal aid services to all Platform for Labour Action (PLA) areas of operations and ensuring that the services are offered accurately and effectively and reflect the mission and vision of PLA.
Primary Working Relationships:
Manager Rights, Social Protection and Accountability , Legal Officers, Legal Assistant, Program Officers, Volunteers/Interns, Legal Clerk, All PLA staff and all PLA clients.
Areas of Responsibilities:
Receive and screen clients for direct legal aid support
Using Right based Approach, provide timely legal aid services through direct one-on-one and legal outreach mobile clinics to vulnerable, marginalized and undocumented workers in PLA’s areas of operation as may be required, ensure follow up and logical conclusion of cases handled.
Refer cases which do not meet the eligibility criteria to other legal aid service providers.
Represent clients in courts of law and other dispute resolution processes including the labour office and prepare summary briefs.
Hold consultations with the legal officers and manager for the next steps and appropriate action.
Draft legal documents and prepare submissions for PLA cases.
Carry out legal research and prepare briefs.
Provide legal advice, technical support and mentoring to the Community Based Organizations and partners of PLA to leverage community access to legal aid services
Work with program staff and provide legal advice and legal awareness to the communities.
Create awareness to PLA’s target group through use of SMS, Media and ICT -Community
Enter data in the PLA Legal aid services information system.
Attend staff meetings and represent the organization at meetings and workshops.
Assign clerk documents for service, cases for filing and fixing hearing dates and ensure that a weekly report is provided.
Keep abreast with contemporary and emerging issues of vulnerable and marginalised workers including precedents, ILO and UN Conventions, African Commission and the East African Community and prepare briefs.
Prepare analytical weekly, monthly and yearly reports taking cognisance of gender, nature of claims reported and action taken.
Maintain a record of complaints received and action taken and follow up of cases/disputes handled.
Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual work plan and file time sheets to supervisor
Update and manage the clients’ database on a regular basis.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Legal assistant, Legal volunteers, Legal clerk and human rights advocates
Job requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, as an advocate of the High Court of Uganda
Sufficient understanding of issues of vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Experience of working with disadvantaged groups is an added advantage.
Demonstrated ability to manage and exercise responsibility of a large number of files and case load.
Proven experience providing community education (sensitization, awareness raising, workshops, seminars, trainings) and responding to and supporting community initiatives, including using gender mainstreaming approaches;
Experience working within a legal aid service provider.
Languages: Thorough knowledge of English and Luganda are mandatory; working knowledge of Swahili and Langi , Lusoga is a distinct advantage.
Demonstrated analytical and empathetic skills, creativity and innovation.
Ability to adopt to PLA’s values of professionalism, commitment to work, transparency and accountability, team work, respect for Human Rights and zero tolerance of corruption.
Experience working with NGOs or development organizations shall be an added advantage.
Required Skills:
Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Negotiation and mediation skills.
Strong written and oral communication.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Excellent computer skills.
Strong team work skills.
Excellent time and project management skills and attention to detail.
Ability to meet tight deadlines.
Ability to work under minimum supervision.
Interest in and knowledge of labour related laws.
Good computer skills, good written and oral communication.
How to apply:
Send your application in writing, including a motivation letter, curriculum vitae, and three references to info@pla-uganda.org
Not later than the 25th July 2016
Handwritten applications can be delivered to Plot 68 Kanjokya Street, Kamwokya P.O Box 9714 Kampala - Uganda